“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.’” (Matthew 22:Continue reading “A Closer Look at Love”
Monthly Archives: July 2022
What Is the Fruit of the Spirit?
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” (Psalm 139:23-24 NLT) In the above Psalm, David outlined a strategy for spiritual growth that is too often overlooked in our fast-paced culture.Continue reading “What Is the Fruit of the Spirit?”
When Prayer is Hard
“What more can I say to You? You know what your servant is really like, Sovereign Lord.” (2 Samuel 7:20 NLT) Has the fact of who you are ever stood in the way of your prayers? It certainly has for me. The realization that no one knows me better than God; to seek to reconcileContinue reading “When Prayer is Hard”
Must Believers Sin?
“So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin.” (Romans 7:14 NLT) In a recent conversation with a man whom I believe is a man of God, a man who has walked with Jesus forContinue reading “Must Believers Sin?”
Learning to Pray by Heart
“One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so He could lay His hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering Him.” (Matthew 19:13 NLT) When my daughter was about four, I was watching something on TV when I heard this little voice: “Daddy.” Being the spiritualContinue reading “Learning to Pray by Heart”
Are You a Guy or a Man?
“The disciples were amazed. ‘Who is this man?’ they asked. ‘Even the winds and waves obey Him!’” (Matthew 8:27 NLT) When you’re with a group of men you might see, hear, or smell any number of things, but if you asked why, the common response is: “It’s just a guy thing!” And that’s true evenContinue reading “Are You a Guy or a Man?”
What Is the Age of Accountability?
“Then He said, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 18:3 NLT) Because responding to Jesus’ invitation to follow Him is generally believed to be an adult decision, the issue then becomes, what happens to aContinue reading “What Is the Age of Accountability?”
What Do You Expect?
“Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” (Ephesians 5:2 NLT) As a pastor I was privileged to sit with people in the best times of their lives and their worst times. A parent’s worst nightmareContinue reading “What Do You Expect?”
Learning to Trust God
“And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, ‘Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!’” (Mark 10:24 KJV) Trust can be a very fickle companion. Why? Because it’s dependent upon the validity of at least twoContinue reading “Learning to Trust God”
When the Tail Wags the Dog
“Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to You. Holy Father, You have given Me Your name; now protect them by the power of Your name so that they will be united just as we are.” (John 17:11 NLT) Friedrich Nietzsche wrote: “It is notContinue reading “When the Tail Wags the Dog”
Walking With Jesus 