getting your way
Proverbs 16:25: There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
When children become rebellious, they sincerely believe in their hearts that getting "their own way" will lead to their freedom. Are you currently in a situation where you feel pressed into "getting your own way?" First of all, if you're feeling pressured into making…
handling disappointment
You’re having a Bible study with someone, and they say, “I simply don’t believe in Jesus.” Or perhaps you discover that a young person you’ve been discipling is having premarital sex. And you wonder: Have I done something wrong? Have I failed in my efforts to teach God’s Word?
Ministering to people can lead to heartache. Yet Paul exhorted Timothy…
battles and praise
I read the Psalms more than any other portion of my Bible. I take comfort and I am encouraged by the words written by its major author, a shepherd warrior king. I have a long list of favorite verses and passages from the Psalms that I turn to often and am blessed each time I read them. (See my favorite…
one lonely hill
Mark 15:22-24: They brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). They offered Him wine drugged with myrrh, but he refused it. Then the soldiers nailed Him to the cross. They divided His clothes and threw dice to decide who would get each piece.
Christians are quite often taught on the subject of Jesus' passion and…
big toe lack of belief
A co-worker was having a conversation with her son about spiritual things. Striving to express his present lack of both belief and commitment to Jesus, the young man said, “God isn’t in my life right now; He’s just in my big toe.”
Have you ever felt that way? Has doubt or lack of commitment left you with a serious dearth…
am u humble or did i fumble?
I’ve been reading in Daniel the past few days. I love Daniel. Daniel is a man that stood up time and time again for what was right. He didn't bow down to what others were doing or rules that went against God. Daniel was a steady man. From the beginning, Daniel prayed for understanding and to humble himself before God. It tells…
spiritual blindness
2 Samuel 12:1-7: So the Lord sent Nathan the prophet to tell David this story: “There were two men in a certain town. One was rich, and one was poor. The rich man owned a great many sheep and cattle. The poor man owned nothing but one little lamb he had bought. He raised that little lamb, and it grew…
Japan – 4 months after the Tsunami
The sea glistens under the bright sunlight. Gentle waves lap upon the shore, as sea gulls perch on some unseen cliffs. All is calm and serene, until your eyes pan from the Pacific Ocean to the naked land where thousands of houses used to occupy. It is empty now, stripped bare by the hungry tsunami waves that licked up the…
till death
Part of the joy of being a pastor is walking alongside of couples as they step into marriage. Few experiences touch the soul more than the wonder and joy (and fear) of embracing life with another person.
At the center of the wedding ceremony is the moment when each person turns to the other and states a vow— a promise…
perth sunrise 2011
After the "moonrise," I was quite determined to get the sunrise. Though it was quite a pain having to drag myself out of bed at 5:45 a.m.—but with the help of a friend, I was able to!
When I reached the bay, forget about dragging myself, I will definitely go back there in the near future! Just being able to…
go, make, disciple, teach, give
My church is in the process of a transformation. We’re working toward shedding some dead weight. We’re trying to become more outwardly focused—putting our energy into where Christ called us to put it, into our Jerusalem, our Samaria, and to the world. We’re evaluating our programs and budget and making sure we’re being good stewards of the resources of time,…
promises promises
Genesis 3:2-5: “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied…
August 22, 2011
What are some specific ways you (and perhaps your local church) are helping the poor and needy in your community—showing them God’s love?
predator and prey
I watched a ladybug devour an aphid. First, she pierced its midsection and chewed for a while. When her prey was mortally wounded, the ladybug munched up the left side of the aphid’s body and devoured it.
In the book of Proverbs, Solomon described the interaction between a female predator and her sexual prey. Although he wrote the passage to…
the original state
Ephesians 1:15-21: Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of…
