Before a horrific storm hit my life, my affection for Jesus was short-lived. Oh, I’d call on Him here or there when I had a problem; but I remained in control of me. When the storm came, every false idol, every bit of sinking sand was washed away; and I found Jesus to be faithful,Continue reading “I will praise you in this storm.”
Tag Archives: peace
Ouch and Amen.
I woke up and checked my phone. Sure enough, the world is still crazy and there are still hard things going on for those I love. But God is still on the throne. He’s still at work in a thousand ways I cannot see. But He is also at work in some ways I can.Continue reading “Ouch and Amen.”
If tomorrow never comes…
It’s 9/11.And we ought to all stop.And remember. Today, we should think about those who died —the heroes who ran in and those trapped, huddled in fear. It took five years to build the twin towers. It took 102 minutes from the first impact on the north tower for them both to fall. In 102Continue reading “If tomorrow never comes…”
Hold on. It’s worth it.
Surely, I’m not the only one who used to believe that once you become a Christian life will go easy. But the truth is, real faith is far from easy. The book of Luke tells us, Simeon’s eyes finally beheld the Promised One. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, thisContinue reading “Hold on. It’s worth it.”
Trying Harder? Frustrated with your own sin?
I think it’s HUGE that we understand this! What exactly does Jesus mean when He says, “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds itContinue reading “Trying Harder? Frustrated with your own sin?”
God, I don’t understand
It is not popular to say, but God will do things we don’t like or understand. In Luke 6, Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath and the religious leaders were filled with rage. Rage. Not awe and adoration that a miracle had been performed right before their eyes. Not celebration for the man whoseContinue reading “God, I don’t understand”
I need to read these words today…
I needed to read these words from the old preacher-teacher, Oswald Chambers, today (pictured with his daughter)– “Put Trust in God First. Our Lord never put His trust in any person. Yet He was never suspicious, never bitter, and never lost hope for anyone, because He put His trust in God first. He trusted absolutelyContinue reading “I need to read these words today…”
Markets are crashing. Rumors of War.
I picked up my Bible. Markets are crashing. There are rumors of wars. I picked up my Bible. As I opened to my daily reading, I sighed. Oh, I’d really rather be in the Psalms or one of Paul’s letters… but my reading plan has me in the Old Testament-2 Chronicles 32 and 33. ButContinue reading “Markets are crashing. Rumors of War.”
When Your Problems Seem Bigger Than Your Faith
There are THOSE moments when the stuff of this life simply sucks you dry. And you are a Christian. There are days where the problems scream, and everything in you has to fight to remember truth. There are days the battle seems great and the blessings feel, well, small. Real small. And stress, and worry,Continue reading “When Your Problems Seem Bigger Than Your Faith”
God hears your prayers. You know that, right?
John is about to end his letter with a powerful punch of truths. John would have his readers remember the confidence they have in Christ, and the confidence they can have in prayer. When John wrote his letter, Christianity was spreading like wildfire, though it was far from easy to be a Christ-follower. False teachersContinue reading “God hears your prayers. You know that, right?”
Let’s speak truth in a world that hates it.
I believe as a country, a church, and as people, we are being deceived by false prophets speaking empty oracles. The prophet Jeremiah talks of false prophets and empty oracles. He says the false prophets “walk in lies and strengthen the hands of evildoers so that no one turns back from his wickedness” (23:14). Doesn’tContinue reading “Let’s speak truth in a world that hates it.”
We can know if we know God or not.
God is not a god of confusion. I believe He wants to make Himself clear to us. He does not want any of us to be confused as to whether or not we have been saved. God used His servant John to help us know the difference. Let’s read his words: “Everyone who makes aContinue reading “We can know if we know God or not.”
Crazy World. Things lining up with Bible Prophecy.
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you know this world is CRAZY both here and abroad. Our political world is nuts. What’s more, the Middle East is on fire. Alliances are being formed that we’ve never seen before. And, even if you’re not very “religious”, you probably know the Bible has predicted many ofContinue reading “Crazy World. Things lining up with Bible Prophecy.”
Here’s how I study the Word to find HOPE. —a few tips
(My tips are at the end) Nothing has changed my life more than God’s Word and a desire to know Him better through it. Peter tells us it is how we grow: “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word,Continue reading “Here’s how I study the Word to find HOPE. —a few tips”
Consumed? Or at PEACE?
Most of you who follow this page aren’t caught up in carousing and drunkenness (see Luke 21:34; NKJV) but there’s this other thing… This other, sneaky thing. Did you read the verse referenced above ? Did you see it? The evil one seems to use IT so effectively against us, and its effects are oftenContinue reading “Consumed? Or at PEACE?”
Where PEACE is found.
I talk with people who try and try again to find peace. They are spending loads of money on vacations, antidepressants, and secular counselors. And many of them have tried religion too. The problem is they are just seeking relief from their pain and troubles but they aren’t really looking for God. Oh, some ofContinue reading “Where PEACE is found.”
We see the trouble. We can’t see this.
I couldn’t sleep. I woke up early thinking about this world (and, to be honest, my own little world and some things heavy on my heart). I was reminded again of my study of Daniel— Daniel is praying fervently as the Lord, through Gabriel, explains the things which are to come— the destruction of Jerusalem,Continue reading “We see the trouble. We can’t see this.”
Because of Jesus, we really can face tomorrow.
We all mourn things. Life includes hard, tragic, disappointing, and sad moments. No one is immune. You can’t wrap yourself up in a bubble and avoid it. You’re going to miss out on the best of life if you try to do so. What’s crazy is that as I walk this life, I continue toContinue reading “Because of Jesus, we really can face tomorrow.”
I often catch glimpses of the Smoky Mountains as I drive around Knoxville where we live. This hot summer has me thinking about those fall colors and snow dusted tops already! I am so thankful God has allowed me to live so close that I can hop in the car and, in just over 30Continue reading
Day In. Day Out. Worth It!
Like many of you, I have the Bible on my smart phone, but there is just something special about “my” printed copy of God’s Word. Holding it in my hands, I remember the days when I underlined the pages, some of them wrinkled from my tears. It’s a history, tattered, highlighted, and written-on of JesusContinue reading “Day In. Day Out. Worth It!”