How’s your self-image? What goes through your mind when you look in the mirror? Think about your career? Or evaluate how you spend your time? So, would you say you have a vibrant self-image? Rev used to ask our Bible Class, “Who do you think about more than anyone else?” Some would say their children….
What is the truth when it comes to love and God’s commands? There’s pressure placed on churches and the people who attend them to conform to an ever-changing culture. It’s the “loving” thing to do, right? Speaking about sin is considered judgmental, and some would say, hypocritical. Talking about obedience is oppressive. Jesus showed us…
My Pastor encouraged us to ask “why” questions. He invited us to lean into our doubts by SEEKing the TRUTH and he believed in God’s ability to increase our faith when we took our questions to Him.
As I scroll through social media or watch the news, the world seems to be getting even more divided. Jew vs. non-Jew. Protestant vs. Catholic. Denomination vs. Denomination. Nation vs. Nation. And on and on. What happened to “speak the truth in love”? What happened to “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything…
God made covenants with Abraham, Moses, and all Israel … unfailing promises that if they trusted and obeyed Him, He would bless them. But like us, they were inconsistent. Some trusted. Some didn’t. And no one obeyed perfectly. So, God sent His Son and gave a New Covenant through Jesus. He promised that through faith…
Most religions have a list of rules and instructions that define “good works.” Christianity alone says that we are unable to earn God’s favor. Here’s what Christians believe makes you right with God.
What makes having faith so important? Do you think all Christians believe having faith is important? I did a little research… An article at Christian Post states that more than fifty percent of Christians in the United States believe good works that will get them to heaven. And in another article … “Nearly seventy percent…
Have you ever wondered why God created the world the way He did? Have you ever questioned His choices for you? Is it hard to trust God consistently when there’s a list of things you wish He’d done differently? Have you ever looked in the mirror and complained about the way God made you? Your…
We make promises and sign contracts, but do we still make covenants? God’s covenants were binding agreements He made with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David. David wrote… The Lord always keeps His promises; He is gracious in all He does. Psalm 145:13 The Bible teaches us that God’s Old Covenant was God’s promise to bless and protect the…
Have you ever been so filled with fear and worry that you’ve questioned God’s love? Does watching the news make you anxious about the future? Jesus said that before He returned, “there would be wars and rumors of war.” (Matthew 24:6) Although there have always been wars, it feels like there is an excessive amount…
What difference would it make if you knew that you could rely on the Best Advocate to plead your case faithfully? The Dictionary defines an Advocate as: Jesus said… I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that…
I remember the last weeks of my pregnancies like it was yesterday. Each time our days were filled with hope and love. With our firstborn, we moved, remodeled, and redecorated our first house during the last two months. And with our second, well, I never got used to the astonished look on people’s faces as…
What does it mean that God is your “Abba, Father?” Jesus called God “Father” and invited you and me to call Him “Father” too. He invited us to pray to “Our Father in heaven.” The Apostle John wrote… But to all who believed [Jesus] and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of…
You’ve heard the phrase “preaching to the choir” before. This is one of those times when I’m “writing for the writer.” God knows I need this, so I’m humbly sharing it with you. The words, surrender your thoughts, make me squirm. I’m not very good at it. I want to be, and I pray I’m…
Do you KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST Jesus? If you do, you have been declared NOT GUILTY and carry within you life’s most wonderful blessing. Romans 8 is full of favorite verses for Jesus’ followers, and it’s easy to understand. It begins with the following… So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to…
I want to obey God! But it seems that no matter how hard I try, life still gets in the way and I fail to live my faith the way I want. Today’s example: During my morning prayer time, I asked the Lord to help me become more intentional about praying without ceasing. I want…
The enemy of our souls has forever tried to convince us that we can be independent and have complete self-sovereignty over our own lives. However, the truth about freedom and independence is that the enemy is a liar. Paul wrote… Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You…
How would you like to defeat sin in your life? Imagine how wonderful it would be to embrace your life while enjoying the freedom you have in Christ Jesus. Paul wrote… We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no…
Do you ever think about what it means to be sanctified? It’s not a word we use often. But in His High Priestly Prayer, Jesus said… Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. John 17:17 (ESV) So, what is this sanctification that Jesus wants for us? The blessing of sanctification is God’s act of making…
Adam and Eve sinned. Everyone person who has ever lived, except for Jesus, has sinned. I sin. You sin. Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. Romans 3:23 & Romans 5:20a We don’t like to admit it…
Is your church welcoming of people who appear rough around the edges? How well do the members extend God’s love to everyone? I’ve visited churches where individuals won’t make eye contact, and I’m generally clean and put together for Sunday services. One of the things I love about my current faith family is that so…
