strong disciples
Matthew 4:23: Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And He healed every kind of disease and illness.
What is the one message that church-goers have heard more than any other? If you said "the gospel message" you are absolutely correct. Paul tells us in his epistles that he preached…
here's a tip
How does the after-church crowd tip?” I asked the waitress. If my question lacked subtlety, her response possessed even less. “They’re the worst!” she said emphatically. “None of us wants to work the lunch shift on Sunday.”
That dialog helped me understand my pastor’s comment as he dismissed us following a service. “You are now entering the mission field,” he…
truth
1 John 4:6: But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception.
When Jesus came to earth, He was the embodiment of TRUTH. There are many people in…
divine invitation
The best party invitation we ever received featured a picture of a little boy wearing funny yellow sunglasses. His smile extended from ear to ear. It was a photo of my son’s playmate, and the text read: “Please join us for Daniel’s first birthday.” Every time I glanced at that invitation, I felt a twinge of joy. Recently, I had…
be renewed
Ephesians 4:20-24: Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
As we…
May 23, 2011
Over the past few years, many books and movies have pointed to the reality of an afterlife. Revelation 21:1describes “a new heaven and a new earth.” What are you looking forward to as you consider these future realities?
the benediction
In many churches, as part of the liturgy, the pastor closes the worship service with a benediction (good pronouncement) invoking God’s help and blessings upon the worshipers.
There are many benedictions in the Bible (for example: Psalm 121:7-8; Romans 15:13; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 3:20-21; Jude 1:24-25). One of the most famous biblical benedictions was used in the movie Deep…
mediator
As a mom, I frequently have the opportunity to serve in high-risk negotiations in the prevention of “hostile takeovers.” Nearly 3 years apart, my children are as different as night and day. Though things can change at any given moment, they often play very well together. But when they disagree, it usually takes a third party for them to see…
woof, woof
An Old Testament proverb says, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness” (Proverbs 26:11). And I’ll be the first to say, “Woof, woof.” More times than I care to admit, I foolishly feast on my own sinful puke—figuratively speaking. And it always leaves me (and others) feeling sick in the stomach.
What’s the deal? Why…
Ampawa Floating Market in Thailand
Everywhere, all over the world, we see God’s handiworks. When men live in peaceful co-existence with God’s glorious creation, it’s a wonderful sight to behold.
[caption id="attachment_7085" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Italy has Venice “The Floating City” and Thailand has “The Floating Markets.” This picture is taken in Ampawa, which is located about 2 hours away from Bangkok city. "]
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[caption id="attachment_7089"…
keeping it clean
Genesis 26:18: He reopened the wells his father had dug, which the Philistines had filled in after Abraham’s death. Isaac also restored the names Abraham had given them.
We live in a subdivision that has a pond for the homeowners to enjoy. Periodically, the Property Owners Association has to hire someone to come with a piece of earth moving equipment…
sacred spaces
A torii is a traditional Japanese gate typically painted brilliant red and found at the entrance of Shinto shrines and Japanese Buddhist temples devoted to particular gods. Adherents to those religions believe it marks the point where one leaves the secular world and enters the holy. A large and famous torii stands off the shore of Miyajima Island in the Hiroshima…
enlightened
Isaiah 55:6: Seek the Lord while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near.
Isaiah 55:8-9: “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts…
protecting life
Russell Turnbull was riding a bus one night when a fight broke out. He tried to intervene, but in the process someone sprayed ammonia into his right eye. The powerful liquid scarred his cornea, causing him to lose sight and experience chronic pain. A doctor was able to cut away a tiny portion of Turnbull’s other cornea and use adult…
yielded
Proverbs 4:23: Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Do you view yourself as being valuable? Before you answer that question, let's qualify something. Doesn't it matter who is placing value on us? God looked at us while we were still sinners and declared we were priceless. We know this to be true because He…
