Did you mess up? Did you blow it? Honestly, how did that feel? Convicted? Guilty? Ashamed? When, as Christians, we fall to sin, it does not, and should not, feel good, or right, or free. It should most definitely bother us. One of the Holy Spirit’s jobs is to “bother us” about our sin. (JohnContinue reading “Sin and The Holy Spirit.”
Tag Archives: walk in freedom
We have what we need,but God won’t force it on us.
Just before the Apostle Paul would die, he records how he was able to run his race so well. Paul was thoroughly equipped for every good work-including sitting in a prison and writing powerful truth we study all these thousands of years later. Paul would never leave that prison but had all he needed forContinue reading “We have what we need,but God won’t force it on us.”
Christians aren’t defined by our pasts.
The evil one is masterful at deceiving even God’s children into believing God can’t possibly forgive them and that they will always be defined by what they have done in the past. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard others say… I can’t be used by God because —I can’t serve atContinue reading “Christians aren’t defined by our pasts.”
What do I want more?
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Col 3:17) If I’m doing something in the name of the Lord Jesus, I’m doing it His way and for His glory. If I’m trying to please men, I can’tContinue reading “What do I want more?”
How on earth do you do THIS?
As I come to the end of Chapter 2 of Colossians, I’m struck by Paul’s last sentence. “These things have the appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are no value against the indulgence of the flesh.” If I don’t want to indulge my flesh, I can’t relyContinue reading “How on earth do you do THIS?”
Be careful in who you allow to lead you.
Paul’s warning about false teaching is not limited to the letter he wrote to the church of Colosse. In fact, his words to Timothy on this subject are also important to study as we dig deep into this wisdom. Let’s go there today. Paul’s prodigy, Timothy, is wise beyond his years and well studied inContinue reading “Be careful in who you allow to lead you.”
Who do you celebrate? Part of my 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 “Who do you celebrate? Part of my story…”
The addictive need for praise and control.
Jesus saw it happen. Jesus warned us it would happen even to those who call themselves Christ followers. (Matt 23) All their works they do to be seen by others (Matt 23:5) They love the best places at the feasts, the best seats, and the big greetings and the big titles. (Matt 23: 6-7). They’veContinue reading “The addictive need for praise and control.”
How do you keep going when life is crashing down?
What do you do when you get the phone call, the diagnosis, the news you never saw coming? What about the hard thing thet you thought wouldn’t still be this hard? What then? Are you destined to continually be consumed by the trouble and pain and spiral further downward into a pit of despairing emotions?Continue reading “How do you keep going when life is crashing down?”
If Jesus is Lord…He is to be Lord of all.
Revival seems to be sweeping our country! I have seen and heard of so many salvations lately! 🙌🏻 Jesus came for the messed up sinner. I am one of them. Yes, we love that He ran after the prodigal, ate with the tax collectors, and stepped in to prevent the stoning of the woman caughtContinue reading “If Jesus is Lord…He is to be Lord of all.”
Faith over Feelings
We can’t let our feelings dictate our obedience. If you want to walk in faith you have to remember this. So many seem to want to only follow the Lord as long as their feelings don’t get in the way. But that isn’t faith. They place incredible emphasis on what feels right to them andContinue reading “Faith over Feelings”
Judging or Discerning Fruit?
You should care about others enough to talk with them about their sin, and when you do, they may accuse you of judging them. But, you can’t be neutral in your faith. If it impacts you, you should want it to impact those you care about. John Piper went so far as to say, “IfContinue reading “Judging or Discerning Fruit?”
From my son-in-law…
Powerful, insightful words from my son-in-law, Forest McCollough— The murder of Charlie Kirk hit me in a way nothing else ever has, and I think other people are feeling the same thing. I have heard people say that he is a martyr – and I completely agree with that. A martyr is someone who isContinue reading “From my son-in-law…”
Eyes on the Better Object
The great, preacher teacher, Oswald Chambers, said, “If I have a lingering thought of defending myself I haven’t truly repented of the sin.” Indeed, we prevent our own freedom when we try to excuse or explain away that which God calls sin. It’s human nature to want to do so. But we are missing freedomContinue reading “Eyes on the Better Object”
Let’s love enough to confront sin.
“Let’s love people enough to help them leave their own pity parties so they can spend their lives drawing attention to God rather than themselves.” “The compassionate side of you will be tempted to comfort everyone who weeps, but that isn’t always the most loving thing to do for them.” (Chan) Sometimes, we absolutely knowContinue reading “Let’s love enough to confront sin.”
Real Blessings. Real Friends.
Our daughter and her little family are at our house recovering from her surgery. That adjustable bed, my husband led us to buy a few years ago, has turned into such a blessing right now as it’s so hard for her to get up and down. Thank you to all who have been praying—things lookContinue reading “Real Blessings. Real Friends.”
A strange passage and real PEACE…
For years, I had read this somewhat strange passage and wondered what it meant— “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it swept and putContinue reading “A strange passage and real PEACE…”
Wait. What?
Do you need hope to face tomorrow? Then focus on your sin for a moment. Here’s why —If we don’t understand the depths of our sin, we won’t understand the great love of our Savior enough to be able to confidently trust Him with our tomorrows.Let me explain… Luke tells us, the Pharisees and lawyersContinue reading “Wait. What?”
You’ll be ok. Even if you stand alone…
The happy, blessed person does not do some things but does do other things. She does not—Walk in the counsel of the ungodly,Stand in the path of sinnersSit in the seat of the scornful. (Psalms 1:1) The happy person makes a conscious effort about who they hang out with, and who they allow to speakContinue reading “You’ll be ok. Even if you stand alone…”
It’s not too hard for God.
Nothing is too hard for God (Luke 1:37). I think about my cousin. He’s a pastor. A while back we had sat together and talked about Jesus, the Word, and the world. His tattoo reads, “Finish Well.” It’s actually pretty miraculous that either of us ever even started this journey of faith. My cousin andContinue reading “It’s not too hard for God.”