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”
Tag Archives: spiritual warfare
If godly people don’t influence this election, who will?
From Josh Howerton (to pastors, but applies to us all) —- Pastor friends on election week, We have too long been confused by (accidentally) misleading statements like “We don’t follow a red elephant or a blue donkey, but a slain lamb” and “prophetic, not partisan.” While such statements carry a grain of truth, they (incorrectlyContinue reading “If godly people don’t influence this election, who will?”
We those who know God’s ways are better to find their voices.
Paul says,”hold such men in esteem” (Phil 2:29) Hold such men in esteem. What kind of men? Well, men and women like Epaphroditus. Epaphroditus didn’t only have a strange name, he was a rare one. He’s only mentioned once in the Bible (Phil 2:25). But this much is clear from the text, Epaphroditus was rare,Continue reading “We those who know God’s ways are better to find their voices.”
Monday Morning HOPE
Honestly when I take my eyes off Jesus, I get off base. When I look at this world, it’s the same. When I look to Jesus, it is there, and only there that my thinking becomes clear. There is only ONE hope for man. There is only One Name by which man may be saved.Continue reading “Monday Morning HOPE”
This Name!
I shared this a couple of years ago. I needed to remember again… I know, in the Bible, God spoke to His people through dreams. I’m certainly not suggesting that this is what happened the other night; but I am certainly not saying our Father could not speak this way today, should He choose toContinue reading “This Name!”
Right now! He is at work!
Love.Consolation.Hope.Grace.Comfort. Yes, I’ll have a heaping helping of each. Right now.Especially now. And this is just what our Father gives His children. His well never runs dry. Paul penned words of this blessing to the believers being persecuted in Thessalonica. “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has lovedContinue reading “Right now! He is at work!”
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?”
My heart is heavy for them… Is yours?
Over the years, God has allowed me to travel to many churches to share about His goodness and hope. And because of that, I’ve met many pastors and many, many pastor’s wives, and my heart is heavy for them. Ministry is hard.Ministry is lonely. The weeks I go and speak I notice our family isContinue reading “My heart is heavy for them… Is yours?”
What would you do?
What would you do?What would you choose?Could you stand strong? It’s famous. We know the story. And we are tempted to breeze right through it. But slow down… This dilemma, (listen, that we may all face sooner, rather than later, the way our world is headed), is sobering and makes for far greater than aContinue reading “What would you do?”
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”
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!”
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”
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.”
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?”
Too hard for God?
We’ve probably all seen, or experienced ourselves, the effects of trauma, especially childhood trauma. Those wounds are deep and sometimes, it seems, the effects are insurmountable. Or, are they? The powerful words below are not mine but from one who has suffered as a child but wishes to remain anonymous (for obvious reasons)— HaveContinue reading “Too hard for God?”
The devil doesn’t care about THIS.
“The devil doesn’t care at all if you know Jesus or love Jesus or pray to Jesus – as long as it is a false Jesus, a make-believe Jesus, a Jesus who is not there, and who therefore cannot save.” – David Guzik, Enduring Word App John says in his letter, “Beloved, do not believeContinue reading “The devil doesn’t care about THIS.”
Are the hard days worth it?
If I’m honest, some days I wonder if the really hard days are worth it. I’ve uttered, more than once, when the trouble around me feels deep, “Oh Lord, won’t you just come on and get us.” But then, as He does so often, at just the right time, right when I need it, GodContinue reading “Are the hard days worth it?”