“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”. (1 John 2:1) John addresses the Christians who would read his letter with the compassion of a loving Father. John rightly characterizes sin as dangerousContinue reading “If sin doesn’t bother you, are you really a Christian?”
Tag Archives: read the Word
THIS might just cause you to worship!
“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:7) This “walking in the light” yields not only sweet fellowship with God but also with others. And notice this “walking”Continue reading “THIS might just cause you to worship!”
It’s HUGE that we understand this if we want to walk away from sin and experience more of God.
John tells us, “If we say we have fellowship with him (God) while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” (1 John 1:6) The truth is, we all step in sin, but we can’t walk in it as a habit or lifestyle and have fellowship with God. And to effectivelyContinue reading “It’s HUGE that we understand this if we want to walk away from sin and experience more of God.”
Lasting JOY will never come from half-hearted devotion & walking in sin.
John begins I John by definitively declaring himself a witness to God in flesh—Jesus Christ. God became man in human form.He came to us! This wasand ISmind boggling! And for John, to say this was to literally risk his life! Remember, at the point John writes these words, Peter and Paul had been executed, JerusalemContinue reading “Lasting JOY will never come from half-hearted devotion & walking in sin.”
Absolutely the BEST exercise program out there!
About this time every year, I start thinking about diet and exercise. Anybody else? But you know, the Bible says strenuous spiritual exercise is better than physical exercise. And if ever, we need to be spiritually strong, it’s now, in these crazy times we are living. Paul says to “exercise yourself toward godliness” (4:7). TheContinue reading “Absolutely the BEST exercise program out there!”
It doesn’t have to end!
It’s Christmas Eve. I don’t want it to end. The twinkling lights, the hugs from family, the familiar carols, the smell of cookies baking in the oven, the flickering candles, the beautiful presents wrapped in bright expectation….. The moments of Christmas-time are some of my favorites I have ever lived. I expect they will alwaysContinue reading “It doesn’t have to end!”
My Salvation Story
The angel said to the shepherds, “Fear not, for I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” There is good news of great joy because the Savior was born. Yet so many feel no joy. They remain unaffected by the familiarity of the Christmas story. So many, especiallyContinue reading “My Salvation Story”
Have you ever doubted God is real? Near? Good?
Have you ever doubted God is real? And if He’s real, is He near? And if He’s near, is He good? Have you felt like a broken Christian as you questioned? Especially if you questioned this Christmas-time of year? I struggled about writing those sentences. I don’t want to cause anyone, who hasn’t questioned, toContinue reading “Have you ever doubted God is real? Near? Good?”
When you really need to remember again…
In the middle of the night, I confess, I have sometimes laid awake with worry. Should I have done things differently? Did I make the right decisions? Did I say the right things? In the dark of night, I feel myself tempted to believe it’s all up to me. Fear begins to surround me asContinue reading “When you really need to remember again…”
Help for the struggles
Slow down, friend. Take note of this. This is some help-you stuff. The Apostle Paul doesn’t just say take a passing glance at good things, he says MEDITATE on them. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things areContinue reading “Help for the struggles”
Let’s keep remembering where our help comes from…
Let’s keep remembering our help comes from the LORD in the good days and the hard ones. King David famously penned psalms of remembering in both. At times, he describes feeling overwhelmed and distressed-like dwelling in the darkness of the dead: “Hear my prayer, O Lord,Give ear to my supplications!In Your faithfulness answer me,And inContinue reading “Let’s keep remembering where our help comes from…”
Scary circumstances?
When I look at my circumstances, I’ve been fearful and worried; but when I turn my eyes to Jesus, when I remember His faithful promises, when I trust Him again and again, my faith grows stronger. Paul talks about Abraham’s faith. He pens his letter emphatically assuring his audience of new believers (both Jew andContinue reading “Scary circumstances?”
But what if they say, “Don’t judge me.”?
Like me, you probably hear the phrase “don’t judge” a lot in our world and often out of the mouths of Christians. But the Bible says, “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”Hebrews 5:14 ESV If we wantContinue reading “But what if they say, “Don’t judge me.”?”
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?”
I believe. Help my unbelief.
I just read one of my favorite verses ( Mark 9:24). How merciful and gracious…. “I believe; help my unbelief.” Help me believe You God.Help me hold on.Help me follow You when your way doesn’t seem easy. Help me believe when my eyes can’t see You and my heart can’t feel You. Help me believeContinue reading “I believe. Help my unbelief.”
Disconnection Causes Tripping
This morning, I am reminded my friend and mentor, once told me “ministry is seductive”. I’ve pondered her words for years and asked God to guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus as I write and speak. One day as I prayed, the Holy Spirit helped me think about myself as a water hose.Continue reading “Disconnection Causes Tripping”
These are not the days not to do your homework!
I was worried and teary-eyed. I remember looking at my wise, older friend who had faced so much heartache, but had so much joy, and said, “But, what do I do?” She looked at me and smiled and said, “You keep seeking Jesus through His Word. You diligently guard your heart and mind in Him,Continue reading “These are not the days not to do your homework!”
The enemy won’t make it easy. This will help you.
Those who were made new by the blood of Christ, will never live content in their old ways. Though we may try to hold on to certain sins, downplaying their dangers, our hearts will never find peace there. As we daily surrender our will to the way of the Lord, we are refreshed to walkContinue reading “The enemy won’t make it easy. This will help you.”
Words on a page. Hope in my heart.
Words on a page.Hope in my heart. These words weren’t meant to be put on a shelf after Easter. I need to remember again. Maybe you do, too? As His blood flowed down, and the human heart of my Savior stopped , the curtain separating men from a Holy God was torn in two. (LukeContinue reading “Words on a page. Hope in my heart.”
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.”
