“For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was His plan from before the beginning of time – to show us His grace through Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:9 NLT) When I was fifteen, I responded to a public invitationContinue reading “A Look at Calling and Purpose”
Monthly Archives: October 2021
Do You Want To Be Free?
“The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (John 10:10 NLT) In John’s Gospel chapter 10, verse 10 Jesus says: “The thief’s (Satan’s) purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My (Jesus’) purpose is to give them (us) a rich and satisfying life.”Continue reading “Do You Want To Be Free?”
My Story
“Oh what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 7:24-25 NLT) So, by reading the above verses I’m suddenly now all better? Yes, and no. Yes, from the standpoint that the Bible,Continue reading “My Story”
We All Have a Story
“Oh what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?” (Romans 7:24 NLT) Each of us has a story, an unraveling history, which, though often spotted with shame, regret and disappointment, when shared with another person is an invitation to allow them to knowContinue reading “We All Have a Story”
Just How Good Are You?
“Why do you call me good?…Only God is truly good.” (Mark 10:18 NLT) One of the most helpful insights the Lord has given me is the realization that I’m capable of anything – ANYTHING – given the right set of circumstances. The murderer, rapist, human trafficker, child molester, you name whatever is the vilest “crime”Continue reading “Just How Good Are You?”
The Subtlety of Sin
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil.” (1 Peter 5:8a NLT) One of the definitions of “subtle” in Webster’s dictionary is: “working insidiously; not easily detected.” Sounds like satan to me. The Apostle Peter warns: “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion,Continue reading “The Subtlety of Sin”
Oneness in Christ and Why It’s So Vital
“I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one…” (John 17:21a NLT) Perhaps you’ve heard the expression: “The quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” My wife “shines” on many fronts. She’s beautiful, smart, deeply loves her family and is committed to the Lord and HisContinue reading “Oneness in Christ and Why It’s So Vital”
The Profit of Pain
“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. (1 Peter 1:6 NLT) Based on what I mentioned in yesterday’s Post, what’s my “take-away,” the “profit” of my faith-building pain? One very valuable benefit of that painful season was that it taught meContinue reading “The Profit of Pain”
A Picture of Oneness
“so that the world will believe you sent me.” (John 17:21b NLT) One of the many things I love (prefer) about Hope Church is the diversity. To me it’s a picture of the New Testament Church. The first century Church saw people from all walks of life – Jews and non-Jews (gentiles), slave and free,Continue reading “A Picture of Oneness”
How Faith is Built
“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.” (Ephesians 3:18 NLT) When my then sixteen-year-old son was diagnosed with leukemia, can you imagine my first response? Unbelief (I couldn’t believe what my ears were hearing), followed shortly thereafterContinue reading “How Faith is Built”
Walking With Jesus 