The Joy of Belonging

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your presence, and don’t take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and make me willing to obey You.” (Psalm 51:10-12 NLT) The joy of belonging begins in earnest whenContinue reading “The Joy of Belonging”

Why Is Temptation So Deadly?

“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there beContinue reading “Why Is Temptation So Deadly?”

He Knows!

“Jesus replied, ‘If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask Me, and I would give you living water.” (John 4:10 NT) In the conversation referenced above between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well it quickly became apparent that (a) the woman didn’tContinue reading “He Knows!”

What’s the First Step?

“What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever. What sorrow for those who are heroes at drinkingContinue reading “What’s the First Step?”

A Slow Fade

“I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your secure footing.” (2 Peter 3:17 NLT) Losing our footing spiritually is much like losing our footing while walking or hiking. It’s not deliberate and oftenContinue reading “A Slow Fade”

What Will You Allow God to Do?

“Next the devil took Him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ‘I will give it all to you,’ he said, ‘if you will kneel down and worship me.’” (Matthew 4:8-9 NLT) If you want all the glory the world has toContinue reading “What Will You Allow God to Do?”

Seven Fold Blessing

“…the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name” (Eph. 3:14-15) *May this powerful devotional by Sylvia Gunter guide us as we seek to understand what spiritual blessings are now ours through Jesus Christ our Lord. Blessings, Ed (used with permission) Spiritual blessings begin with a revelation of God asContinue reading “Seven Fold Blessing”

A Fresh Look at Repentance

“Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.” (Matthew 3:8 NLT) Repentance is a multi-dimensional process. Have you ever been on a road trip and well into your journey you realize you are going the wrong way? If you’re adventuresome you may blow it off andContinue reading “A Fresh Look at Repentance”

Who’s Poorer?

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I’ll say it again – it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!’”Continue reading “Who’s Poorer?”

Does Worship Bore You?

“All the nations You made will come and bow before You, Lord; they will praise Your holy name. For You are great and perform wonderful deeds. You alone are God.” (Psalm 86:9-10 NLT) Worship is the one thing that human beings can do that gives them opportunity to distinguish themselves from all the other creaturesContinue reading “Does Worship Bore You?”