It’s so hard sometimes following Christ. So many times, I’ve wanted the easy road. I’ve wanted to stick my head in the sand and just go with the flow. Walk away.Avoid the conflict.Just keep my mouth shut. Except I can’t. I trust God more than I trust me. I believe Him. I believe His WordContinue reading “If all I have is all you desire, I surrender all.”
Tag Archives: walk in truth
Oh, that God would do it again!
I woke up thinking about a conversation my brother, my son-in-law and I had about the great revival movements of God. We had resolved there is NOTHING that might keep God from doing it again. My brother then mentioned how the spark that started the greatest revivals in history had been that of LAY PEOPLEContinue reading “Oh, that God would do it again!”
In the midst of trouble, sit down.
This 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 this person,Continue reading “In the midst of trouble, sit down.”
It’s true. This world needs Jesus.
Sometimes when Christians say, “This world just needs Jesus” it can sound like a cliche and a cop-out. It can seem that we don’t really care, or don’t intend to actually do anything ourselves. However, for most,who were lost then found,broken then made whole,hungry then satisfied,hurting then healed,we KNOW it was JESUSwho changed our lives.Continue reading “It’s true. This world needs Jesus.”
God hasn’t forgotten. He can’t.
She turned one yesterday. I wrote this a year ago— I held her in my arms for the very first time. She’s tiny. Smaller than we expected but, oh, how that little one has filled my heart. A grand baby.A grand daughter.After quite a scare,safely here. And this morning, when I awoke, she joined theContinue reading “God hasn’t forgotten. He can’t.”
We don’t have to follow our emotions into trouble.
Sometimes, I confuse myself. My emotions seem to be all over the place. How very much God knows our tendency to veer from His ways when it comes to our hearts. How often we allow our emotions and affections to rule us. How many revered men have been brought down by illicit affairs? How manyContinue reading “We don’t have to follow our emotions into trouble.”
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?”
For those wrestling to understand…
Jacob wrestled with God. That’s too much for my mind to even conceive. Except, I’m wrestling. Not in the physical sense, but certainly in that I’m trying to understand what God is doing through some exhaustingly hard things in my life and in this world. I know it’s true that God routinely does things weContinue reading “For those wrestling to understand…”
Is the ground around you being dug up?
Jesus talks of two situations where God’s people die—and asks the question, were these people worse sinners than others who dwelt in Jerusalem and then, He says, unless you repent you will also perish. (Luke 13:1-5) We know this. We know we need to repent of our sins. But right after that, Jesus talks aboutContinue reading “Is the ground around you being dug up?”
Lord ? or just advisor?
Many, who like to think themselves progressive, and think that’s a good thing, suggest the New Testament is all about love not about rules or law. But in Matthew 5:17, Jesus made it clear that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. He asserted that God’s laws should be followedContinue reading “Lord ? or just advisor?”
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…”
Hard Times. Dark Places.
If your faith is built on only what you can see right now, or feel, or understand, it won’t get you very far. We will face things in this life that don’t make sense to us. Hard times.Dark places. But remember, Peter talked about the prophecy of scripture being as a light shining in aContinue reading “Hard Times. Dark Places.”
Those who truly love us will tell us the truth.
Paul is about to lay down the pen to the most famous of letters ever written. His powerful, God-inspired words will forever influence the theology of human hearts. His hard words have inspired and challenged the church for thousands of years. Through Paul, God has clearly explained the only way dead men miraculously find eternalContinue reading “Those who truly love us will tell us the truth.”
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…”
The wise fear God. Fools do not.
The crowds were thick when Jesus called them an evil generation who needed to repent instead of seek a sign. (Luke 11:29-32). He didn’t stop there but went on to caution them to make sure the light inside of them was not darkness. (Luke 11:33-36). Then, He called the Pharisee, who had invited him toContinue reading “The wise fear God. Fools do not.”
Knowing Who He is and what He did…Isn’t Enough.
Those two criminals.Bleeding.Bruised.Guilty. In the Savior’s final moments, one criminal hung on each side of Him. Those two represent all of us. We are each likeoneor the otherof them. It’s no accident, this true picture. There they were.So close to Jesus.Can you imagine? They both knew who He was.But only one of them would beContinue reading “Knowing Who He is and what He did…Isn’t Enough.”
After he came down out of that tree…
Before the Triumphal Entry and all that (we call) Easter week would bring, before the Parable of the Ten Minas (that we will discuss tomorrow), Jesus sees Zacchaeus up in that tree. If you grew up in church, you probably know that Sunday School song. If you’ve studied the passage, you probably remember Zacchaeus wasContinue reading “After he came down out of that tree…”
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?””
Ridiculous Grace AND Hard Truth
He came for the messed up sinner. I think a lot about that as Easter approaches in just a couple of weeks. We love that He ran after the prodigal, ate with the tax collectors, and stepped in to prevent the stoning of the woman caught in adultery. We love that He left the 99Continue reading “Ridiculous Grace AND Hard Truth”