When my heart is overwhelmed…

When my heart is overwhelmed, when I long for peace, joy and hope, I know I can no longer look to this world. I have been led to the rock that is higher than I. (Ps 61:2) I’ve tasted and seen that He alone is good. I have been blessed to take refuge in Him.Continue reading “When my heart is overwhelmed…”

Good Listening

I often say, “good listening” to my two year old granddaughter after she’s struggled, and I’ve coaxed, but she decides to obey what I’m asking her to do. I realized this week, it is still not so different with me and God sometimes. Just this Monday, as my work and family task list felt extraContinue reading “Good Listening”

We aren’t skipping through daisies. We are in a battle. A spiritual battle.

If we are honest, most of us would agree, these are hard words— “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrathContinue reading “We aren’t skipping through daisies. We are in a battle. A spiritual battle.”

Relevant Words from an Ancient Prophet

I believe as a country, a church and as people, we are being deceived by false prophets speaking empty oracles. 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’t that soundContinue reading “Relevant Words from an Ancient Prophet”

We have to do this with the utmost urgency

“Be of the same mind as one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.” (Rom 12:16) Paul says a lot here. He has just told us to pay attention to the emotions of others —rejoice with those who rejoice andContinue reading “We have to do this with the utmost urgency”

Are you a mercy martyr?

Paul spends time in Romans 12 explaining, God gives us gifts of His choosing based on grace not merit. GraceNotMerit The Apostle Paul goes on to say, “let us use them” (Rom 12:6) and goes on to describe various gifts (prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership and mercy). He further encourages about how we shouldContinue reading “Are you a mercy martyr?”

Perfect Purpose not Puffed Up

Just before Paul begins to explain we are one body with many members and different functions (Rom 12:4) he warns us, not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think. And if you’ve ever stood on a stage to speak or sing, if you’ve ever been appointed to leadership, you’ve likely feltContinue reading “Perfect Purpose not Puffed Up”

We try to control what we can’t. But there is a peace to be had…

People pay millions to doctors, therapists, financial advisers, fitness gurus, and the like to know the way to take in hopes of creating for themselves a more perfect life. We chase peace where lasting peace can never be found. What’s more, many anxiously try to control what ultimately cannot be controlled, instead of submitting toContinue reading “We try to control what we can’t. But there is a peace to be had…”

Let’s get in the habit of asking God this…

The Apostle Paul tells us that our reasonable service for the great gift God has given us through His Son is to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy acceptable to God. (Rom 12:1). The idea of body here is body, mind and soul. We are to endeavor to live holy lives in fullContinue reading “Let’s get in the habit of asking God this…”

Not I, but Christ in me.

So many hard things. People I love are walking through such pain. Things have happened in the life of our family that hurt so deeply. I don’t understand. I can’t write the devotional and tie it up in a pretty bow. I’ve sat in a puddle of tears— so many cares to cast on Jesus.Continue reading “Not I, but Christ in me.”

Is this on your list for today?

I’ve got a list for today.I bet you do too. But my early morning study tells me I’m to bear fruits in keeping with repentance. (Matt 3:7-10). One day, we will all give an account for what we’ve done with the life we’ve been given by the blood-bought sacrifice of the Son of God. HowContinue reading “Is this on your list for today?”

Satan wants this

Jesus said you are with me or against me (Matt 12:30). There is no neutral. You either see the world and life from a biblical worldview or from a satanic worldview. Either there is One True God and One source of absolute truth that exists outside of you; or you operate by a satanic worldviewContinue reading “Satan wants this”

Does this beautiful thing ever happen to you?

It still amazes me when I come across a passage of Scripture that seems to flash like a neon sign. Though the words have been there for thousands of years, sometimes, they seem beautifully brand new. I’ve even smiled a little bit in my prayers, saying, “God, did you just put that there?” His WordContinue reading “Does this beautiful thing ever happen to you?”

Don’t do this when you are down…

Don’t go back to what feels good, or familiar, but may hurt you in the end. Think with me for a moment about the book of Ruth… Remember, Boaz was a godly man. While Naomi’s husband, Elimelech, had taken them back to the wilderness and left the Promised Land during the famine, Boaz had stayed.Continue reading “Don’t do this when you are down…”

Shall we just destroy them all?

I laughed out loud as I read this passage in my Bible. This doesn’t usually happen, but sometimes, I find myself chuckling. Luke describes the time Jesus healed a boy possessed by a demon after His disciples failed to do so. He, then, prophesies His coming death and steadfastly sets His face to go toContinue reading “Shall we just destroy them all?”

When you 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 need to remember again…”

Enemies of God were at church on Easter.

There were many enemies of God at churches all over the world on Easter Sunday. They dressed the part, smiled in the photos, but many left the same way they came in —enemies of God. It may sound harsh, but Jesus, Himself, described these enemies when He told of the Parable of the Ten MinasContinue reading “Enemies of God were at church on Easter.”

Waiting Wednesday

Silent Wednesday. It’s what some scholars call this day of Holy Week. Jesus had spent Tuesday preaching and warning, being aggressively challenged by the religious leaders. But then there is Wednesday.Silent Wednesday. Waiting Wednesday. Jesus knew what was coming. He watched his friend, Judas, slip away to make a deal to betray him. Mary hadContinue reading “Waiting Wednesday”

Tuesday of Holy Week

Jesus spends most of Tuesday of Holy Week teaching and being questioned by the religious leaders in order that they might trap Him somehow. Were they jealous of His following? Did they feel threatened by the authority with which He taught? Or did they reason, if they could trip Him up, they might surely proveContinue reading “Tuesday of Holy Week”