Usually, we think of “having faith” as simply “trusting, believing.” And while that is true, it can be incomplete if we forget that, as Christians, we are also joined to Christ as our Bridegroom. In other words, there is a real relationship with Him—the living Christ—that is at stake. It is not just a matter of possessing correct content of what we […]
Scripture & Thought Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” I watch the evening news and I’m convinced they should no longer call it […]
Without a doubt, Easter has looked a little different these last two years than it has in years past. Like never before, we’re forced to strip down the manmade version of the holiday filled with fancy Sunday dresses, Easter egg hunts and big family gatherings to the bare essentials: the cross, an empty tomb and […]
Scripture & Thought Exodus 3:11 – “But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?’” If you were God, would you have chosen Moses to lead His people out of Egypt? He was a has-been, a failure. But […]
Since we are currently in the season of Lent, I’ve been thinking about what I’m doing, or not doing, that can be pushed away or stopped. Or something I might should start doing, which would lend itself toward more depth spiritually speaking, etc. This scripture came to mind: Isaiah 61:1-3 – “The Spirit of the Sovereign […]
I have been pondering over something recently. A question: “What kind of a ‘Friend’ am I?” What kind of a friend are you? Have you ever stopped to think about that question? Especially with social media these days, it seems like the term/concept of “friend” doesn’t really mean what it used to mean. Consider Facebook, […]
Scripture & Thought Hebrews 9:27-28 – “And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation […]
I was reminded this week, about a story that John Wesley told in one of his sermons… John Wesley tells a scientifically implausible story about a frog who lived its life trapped inside a tree. Evidently, there was just enough moisture and sustenance in the tree to sustain this unfortunate frog’s life. Upon being released […]
Scripture & Thought Matthew 16:24-25 – “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” What comes to mind when you see a cross? […]
Scripture & Thought 1 Corinthians 15:53 – “For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.” Someone once asked Billy Graham what the greatest surprise of his life had been. He responded, “The brevity of it.” As you get older, it seems […]
I read an interesting devotional in “Coffee Break” by Sally Noe, which really grabbed my attention. I always appreciate articles that do that. Here’s what she said: “I was thinking today (I am sure the Lord put the thoughts there) of a car that my mother and I had given to someone. When they first […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]