When hope seems hidden…

Those who are of the faith, sometimes feel hopeless. Sometimes,circumstances,are so very bad,we even despair of life. We don’t think we can go on. We might not tell our closest friend, but we have even wished we could die. And it’s not because we are feeling so spiritual, just hoping to be in Heaven, it’sContinue reading “When hope seems hidden…”

Did you fall to sin yesterday?

Did you blow it yesterday? Did sin raise it’s ugly head in you again? Did something you thought you had mastered, master you? Didn’t we just talk about fearing God yesterday on this page? Are you disappointed in yourself? Friend, it’s a great date for a clean slate. And this day IS a clean slate,Continue reading “Did you fall to sin yesterday?”

“Who said anything about safe?”

What an amazingly MERCIFUL God we serve! Indeed, He is so good and faithful to forgive our sins when we confess and turn from them. He even says, He remembers them no more (Heb 8:12) and that causes my heart to love Him even more. What RIVERS of grace! But as we remember His amazingContinue reading ““Who said anything about safe?””

Where else would I go?

This is hard stuff. Are you ready for some hard stuff? I’ve been paused on this verse for several days. I’ve been wrestling. I’ve been reading commentaries and thinking about all I’ve seen God do and know Him to be. Still, I can’t fully wrap my mind around these words God had the beloved disciple,Continue reading “Where else would I go?”

Truth. Not just a wishful hope!

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) ❤️ It’s not you “will” overcome them. You HAVE overcome! This isn’t a motivational speech. It’s truth! It’s a done deal.It’s certain.It’s finished. Not because of youContinue reading “Truth. Not just a wishful hope!”

Don’t be quiet

Christians around the world, in Syria and Congo right now, are being slaughtered. We should pray and we should remember. We should make our voices heard. It’s easy to sit here on my couch, coffee in hand and read these words in 2 Timothy from my pretty Bible, and miss the profound depth of them.Continue reading “Don’t be quiet”

One thing that can help you with fear…

I’m sick of seeing the enemy rob us of so many good things God has planned for us because of fear. The enemy really uses that. But here’s one thing I’ve learned that has disarmed him time and time again in my life: When I hear the enemy telling me all the bad things thatContinue reading “One thing that can help you with fear…”

We can lose things and not lose hope.

This is God’s commandment-believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ (1 John 3:23). Stop. John is talking to believers and he says God commands you believe? Don’t they already believe? When we dig deeper (I pulled out a commentary), we understand this means believe and keep believing on the Name of Jesus Christ.Continue reading “We can lose things and not lose hope.”

Mad at God and believing Satan’s lies

Whatever we ask, we receive! That’s sounds a lot like a genie in a bottle kind of prosperity God—not the Most High Holy of Holies. So what does John mean when he writes, “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in HisContinue reading “Mad at God and believing Satan’s lies”

Don’t fall for the lie that you are defined by your past.

Yesterday, I wrote briefly about how sometimes our hearts, and the enemy, condemn us for things God has already forgiven but that God is greater than our hearts (from 1 John 3:20). The evil one is masterful at deceiving even God’s children into believing God can’t possibly forgive them and that they will always beContinue reading “Don’t fall for the lie that you are defined by your past.”

Do you ever have a “check” in your Spirit?

“These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.” (1 John 2:26) There are great efforts, by spiritual forces in high places, to deceive us and those we love (Eph 6:12). They use people, especially those with large platforms, but they also use people you and your kids might comeContinue reading “Do you ever have a “check” in your Spirit?”

Is reading your Bible always a hallelujah moment?

So how do I not love the world, and not fall for false teachers, and not fear things like the antichrists? I read my Bible. ”Therefore, let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you will also abide in the Son andContinue reading “Is reading your Bible always a hallelujah moment?”

Avoid False Teachers. Keep Testing Everything.

The Antichrist is coming. John warns that the Antichrist is coming and, what’s more, many antichrists have already come but we can discern the truth and not be led away by false teaching (see 1 John 2:18-23). Let’s recognize we are being “taught” all day long in many, many ways in our post it, tweetContinue reading “Avoid False Teachers. Keep Testing Everything.”

Yes, you need to pursue Jesus every day!

As we continue in 1st John, let’s slow down and not breeze past things we’ve read just because they may be familiar. In 1st John 2:12-14, John calls his audience—“little children”, “fathers”, and “young men”. As Christians, we can be as— “little children” -thankful for God’s forgiveness for our sins because of Jesus. “fathers” -whoContinue reading “Yes, you need to pursue Jesus every day!”

Sin should be as attractive to you as dog POOP!

Do you have a heart that cares to keep the Word of God? Are you intentional to repent (turn from your sins) and walk in God’s better ways as defined in His Word? If so, this is evidence of fellowship with God and salvation in your life —“But whoever keeps His word, truly the loveContinue reading “Sin should be as attractive to you as dog POOP!”

God > My Emotions

and that equals PEACE! My middle child was born at 31 weeks. He had many health issues that compounded being born so prematurely. He spent 264 days of the first year in the hospital followed by years of doctor’s visits , more hospital stays, and major surgeries including two heart surgeries. My niece and herContinue reading “God > My Emotions”

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!”

When you do not “feel” it…

It’s seems wrong to mention it now, at Christmas-time, but, surely, I’m not the only one who feels it sometimes. Well, I guess the better description would be “doesn’t feel it sometimes”. I have days I feel spiritually numb, and I believe the Lord has led me to share this during a time when weContinue reading “When you do not “feel” it…”

When it doesn’t feel like a blessing…

This Thanksgiving week, as I have counted my blessings, I’ve found myself counting again something as a blessing I didn’t think I ever would. Several years ago, our family faced what felt like a true enemy in another flesh and blood person. It all seemed to begin right after we shared our faith with thisContinue reading “When it doesn’t feel like a blessing…”

Have you noticed this to be true?

Can you imagine the emotion, with which Peter (known to be emotional) wrote these words: “Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time inContinue reading “Have you noticed this to be true?”