I have to admit that for most of my life I haven’t had to think much about being persecuted for my faith. Oh sure, when I was in Bible Studies as a teen, I was asked to think about whether or not I would be strong enough to stand firm and bold in my faith…
In the Garden, Jesus prayed: “Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Matthew 26:39 And Luke wrote: He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. Luke 22:44 Then it was…
Do you have a favorite chapter of the Bible? Original manuscripts of the Bible were not written with section breaks but over time, chapters were added and then in 1560, the Geneva Bible included both chapters and verses. There are 1,189 chapters in the Bible and 23,145 verses. Although, I have a long list of…
It’s been an overwhelming year, hasn’t it? Even if you have only dealt with government health restrictions and regulations . . . it’s been a challenging season. Almost everyone I know is dealing with additional pain and problems that have left them feeling drained and discouraged. In addition, the constant messages of gloom and doom…
The following are quotes from the recent edition of Decision Magazine from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc. They speak about the current atmosphere in our country and around the world . . . one that Jesus addressed more than 2000 years ago. “Christian, churches and faith-based ministries will be in the crosshairs for believing in…
The night before His crucifixion, Jesus told His disciples… “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” John 14:1 I don’t know about you but lately the list of reasons we have for troubled hearts seems incredibly long. Even when we believe in Jesus and want to trust God…
As I sit down to write, it’s Thursday of Holy Week and John 13 is the next chapter on my writing schedule. There are no coincidences in God’s perfect timing. I’ve often wondered what it was like for Jesus that night before His arrest, trial, crucifixion, and death? But today, I’m pausing to think about…
We often talk about the importance of living for God’s glory but… What does it really mean to glorify God?And what are the best and right ways to do it? Giving God glory has been defined as: praising and worshipping Him. highlighting His attributes and characteristics. lifting Him up in honor. In John 12, Jesus…
I have to admit that I have moments of discouragement . . . times when I look around and the darkness of sin is gaining a louder voice and the efforts to silence the voices of TRUTH are increasing as well. But in the midst of it all Jesus is calling. One of my favorite…
I grew up at a church called Our Shepherd. I even attended a school that was affiliated with the church. So, both pastors and teachers taught us often about the loving care of Jesus, our Good Shepherd. We were taught that sheep are generally docile and that they would definitely not be on the list…
The first verse of Amazing Grace is: Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound;that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found,was blind but now I see. Many of us know the feeling of going from being lost to being found but what must it be like to go from blindness…
It’s hard not to judge others, isn’t it? When I did an online search of the psychology of judging others . . . the general consensus was that judging others is a good thing because it helps us evaluate right and wrong behavior. The problem is we confuse judging behavior for our own benefit with…
I sometimes wonder how often we trust the teachings of liars. We know that mixed messages are everywhere even in the church. How in the world are we supposed to know the truth? Jesus gave those who were willing to listen, 3 simple things to look for to determine if a religious leader is teaching…
I love reading about the miracle feeding of the 5000. In reality, the total was probably closer to twice that many when you add the women and children. Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?”…
One of the most profound statements Jesus made during His earthly ministry is found in John 5: “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!” John 5:39 You and I can read the Bible from cover to cover day in and day out and we…
A couple of year’s ago, I asked a group of friends, “how do you see Jesus when you pray?” You can check out their responses here. I also answered the question myself… I imagine Jesus waiting for me at the well. Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well. John 4:6 He…
Nicodemus came under a cover of darkness. He wanted to know more about Jesus. His Pharisaical peers were quickly making up their minds and rejecting the Rabbi but Nicodemus wanted to examine the Man and His teaching personally. Jesus used the opportunity to teach Nicodemus several truths that have been foundational to our faith ever…
Why do we so often wait until we’ve run out of self before we take our needs to the Lord? The idea of self-sufficiency is a powerful drive in our lives and I think the enemy of our souls is just fine with that. We turn to so-called “experts and authorities,” read self-help books, worry…
Do you have a friend, mentor, or family member whom although they have been gone for years, your heart still overflows with love every single time you think about them? I am so excited to be starting my favorite book of the Bible today. John wrote his Gospel message 50+ years after Jesus ascended into…
I love that women were the first to hear the Life-Changing Message of Good News… “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men…
It takes great courage to do the right thing when everyone else is going in a different direction. Take a look at our current culture . . . where people are losing friends, positions, and platforms simply for saying something with which the crowd disagrees and/or disapproves. In that context, Joseph of Arimathea gives us…
