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!”

Hold on in HOPE!

I’ve seen the Lord work, and He didn’t need me at all. He did everything. His Holy Spirit moved in ways I never expected and the evidence is clear. I wish I could tell you that I never worried or doubted that He would move. I wish I could say I never tried to takeContinue reading “Hold on in HOPE!”

Did you really celebrate the Christ of Christmas?

Many of you may have celebrated communion at a Christmas Eve service recently. Long ago, Jesus broke the bread of Passover but instead of using the long familiar words to His Jewish disciples, He shockingly says, “this is My body” and “this is My blood”. (Matt 26:26-29). He was declaring Himself to be the PerfectContinue reading “Did you really celebrate the Christ of Christmas?”

Have you ever doubted God is real? Near? Good?

Have you ever doubted God is real? And if He’s real, is He near? And if He’s near, is He good? Have you felt like a broken Christian as you questioned? Especially if you questioned this Christmas-time of year? I struggled about writing those sentences. I don’t want to cause anyone, who hasn’t questioned, toContinue reading “Have you ever doubted God is real? Near? Good?”

When you really 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 really need to remember again…”

Is it I?

The One who had been laid in a manger, the One of whom the angels sang, the One shepherds told, and the wise men travelled to see —had grown up to be their friend. Their friend.  They had fished together and watched Him feed the five thousand together.   But they had also walked milesContinue reading “Is it I?”

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?”

You’ve got to (lovingly) speak up…even at the family gathering.

I’m thinking of picking up this hammer and hitting my thumb. How many of you would just stand there, and watch, and say nothing? Yet, this is what so many of us do when we see others walking in and toward misery-making sin! We say nothing. We even tell others to not bring it up.Continue reading “You’ve got to (lovingly) speak up…even at the family gathering.”

Don’t “love” them all the way to Hell.

As we take in truth from the Word, we can use it to daily refute the flimsy, false teachings of this world that come at us all day, every day! Paul uses strong words as he charges his young disciple, Timothy, to teach no other doctrine but SOUND doctrine. (1Tim 1:3) “Doctrine” sounds like somethingContinue reading “Don’t “love” them all the way to Hell.”

Help for the struggles

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”

This has not changed.

Oh Lord, how I feel my wandering heart tempted to look to earthly solutions and hope in them after this election. I’m so very thankful for the mercy I believe you showed us in the outcome of this vote. But I know the battle for the hearts and souls of men rages no less. OthersContinue reading “This has not changed.”

Don’t fall for this.

They were his closest friends. They had walked miles of dusty roads together. They had seen Him delight over the little children, raise the dead, heal the sick, walk on water, feed the thousands and watched Him weep. They had sat with Him as He taught with authority. They had been chosen among the worldContinue reading “Don’t fall for this.”

Christian, you were never called to be unified with a lost world.

Unity for unity’s sake never unified anyone. This is true in our country and in our churches. People will unify around common purpose and common belief not some empty call for unity for unity’s sake. As Christians, we can never go along with things that go against the Word of God in the name ofContinue reading “Christian, you were never called to be unified with a lost world.”

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?”

Your belief about God should impact your view of everything else.

I believe if you can compartmentalize your faith–your god is too small and possibly a false god you’ve defined in your own imagination. For The Most High God is a consuming fire (Heb 12:29). Our theology, our belief about God, should impact everything else in our lives. And it actually does whether you think soContinue reading “Your belief about God should impact your view of everything else.”

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”

People Problems?

We don’t have to look too far to see the struggles around us. We are a divided country. Christians are not immune from these struggles—political and beyond. We experience strife in our business and personal relationships and are daily tested to live our lives differently as Christ followers. Especially during people conflicts, we have toContinue reading “People Problems?”

Are you ready?

I love chapter five of First Thessalonians. It’s one of those passages that could be read every day for hope and instruction. It resets our perspective and priorities. It helps us know how to live and encourages us to remember Who has us. Will you take a few moments and read chapter five? (I hopeContinue reading “Are you ready?”

To remember in your hard things..

What’s your “this”? As Paul famously sat imprisoned for the faith, he knew “this” would turn out for his deliverance through prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ (Phil 1:19). He needed prayer and he needed the Holy Spirit to earnestly hope he wouldn’t be ashamed, but that Christ would be magnifiedContinue reading “To remember in your hard things..”