1 Corinthians 16:13 — “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” A few years ago, Hawaiians were preparing for a huge storm that supposedly would devastate their state. It was coming directly toward them. But then it took a hard turn. In the end, there still was some bad weather, but […]
While I’m giving praise to God…it reminds me of some of my reading lately, especially from Anne Graham Lotz, from her book, The Joy of My Heart, in which she writes about getting your praise on. She states that “Praise defeats the enemy! Psalm 22:22 (NKJV) – “I will declare Your name to my brethren; in […]
I remembered something I read from author Max Lucado about how much we really do need each other, and especially during this time of pandemic and taking precautions for other’s benefits. From Max Lucado’s writing, “Your Place in God’s Band,” he writes this: Two of my teenage years were spent carrying a tuba in my […]
Scripture & Thought Matthew 5:14 – “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” I don’t know when things have been any darker in our culture spiritually. Our culture is awash with depictions of violence. People flaunt immoral lifestyles. They wink at things the […]
Scripture & Thought Proverbs 4:23 – “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” The film 127 Hours tells the true story of Aron Ralston, who was rock climbing alone in Utah when a boulder shifted and pinned his arm. He tried everything he could to get out from under […]
I was reading from Jessica Smartt, in her book, Let Them Be Kids, which is about leading a Christian family and training our kids to be Christians. Something she said really made me think about all of us as a Christian family, or The Church family. I remembered being really ministered to by a certain […]
Scripture & Thought Jude 1:21 – “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” I don’t keep myself saved, but I keep myself safe. God saves me. That’s established. But I keep myself safe, which means that I keep myself in the love […]
It started when Micca’s sister refused to allow their brother to pay for her dinner. While her sister loves to give to others, she’s not so good at receiving. Micca, on the other hand, understood that it gave their brother great pleasure to pick up the check. And, she says, “Lord knows I didn’t want […]
Scripture & Thought Psalm 19:8 – “The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living.” What is the purpose of our existence? Some might say, “Well, it’s to be happy, of course.” In fact, even the Declaration of Independence lists […]
This last couple of weeks, I was reading from Carlos Whittaker, from his little book Kill the Spider and he made some comments that have a way of really sticking with me. In Kill the Spider, Whittaker empowers us to destroy the roots of our deep-seated habits so we can embrace true freedom in Christ. […]
Scripture & Thought Exodus 2:24-25 “God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act.” Talk about a guy who messed up his life. Moses blew it big time. Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him as an […]
This week, I’ve been thinking about what God might be doing in and through us. I mean, how has God been working in your heart and mind while we’ve been having all this “extra” time on our hands, etc? In other words. . .What’s your story of faith? What has God been trying to teach […]
Scripture & Thought Luke 11:3 – “Give us day by day our daily bread.” It seems sort of funny now, but back in the ‘60s the word bread was a term for money. So if someone said, “You got any bread, man?” that’s what they were talking about. Jesus taught us to pray, “Give […]
I’ve been reading from Lysa Terkeurst, in her book, Embraced, and I have felt God tugging at my heart for a deeper walk with Him. I want to share just a piece of what she says . . . I long to be a woman who follows hard after Jesus. And I’m not talking about a […]
Scripture & Thought 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “Never stop praying.” Have you ever been in what appeared to be an impossible situation with no way out? Or have you ever thought there was no future for you, and that it was just too late? Maybe you’re facing troubles today you never thought you’d see. […]
With all that has been going on in our world these past few weeks, my mind has been on overload. Has yours? I have found myself doing a lot of thinking and praying for God’s direction for myself, and for our church. I was drawn to a book by Dallas Willard, Life Without Lack, that really gave […]
Scripture & Thought 1 Corinthians 10:12 – “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.” Simon Peter is known for his legendary faux pas. He said things he shouldn’t have said. And he openly denied the Lord not once, not twice, but three times. But Peter took steps that led […]
I’ve been talking and reading a lot lately about worry and praying, and how that affects our worship (everyday living). I was drawn to this passage of scripture in Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace […]
I can’t get away from events that have happened this week, culminating in the awful riots that are taking place in Minneapolis, and other places across the country. I really believe that racism in any form is never okay and should never be tolerated! My heart aches for our brothers and sisters who have not been […]
Scripture & Thought Romans 13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” I have a friend who always looks like he’s wearing an outfit no matter what day of the week it is. For some people, everything is an outfit. Their jeans are […]