Are You for Real?

“Large crowds followed Him wherever He went – people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River.” (Matthew 4:25 NLT) One of the things that non-believers dislike and criticize the most about Christians is our tendency to “label” people. They also hate that we struggle withContinue reading “Are You for Real?”

Are You Content?

“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time He said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NLT) Do you realize there’sContinue reading “Are You Content?”

The Footprints of Jesus

“Another of His disciples said, ‘Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.’ But Jesus told him, ‘Follow Me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead.’” (Matthew 8:21-22 NLT) Questions often arise when we read these verses. Is Jesus being callous and uncaring? Is He asking us to ignore our loveContinue reading “The Footprints of Jesus”

Our Waiting Is Never Wasted

“May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 3:5 NLT) Growing takes time. I remember thinking I was never going to turn 16 so I could begin to drive legally. Then I blinked and I wasContinue reading “Our Waiting Is Never Wasted”

First Class or Coach? (Part 2)

“Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways! Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give Him advice? And who has given Him so much that He needs to pay it back? For everything comes from HimContinue reading “First Class or Coach? (Part 2)”

First Class or Coach?

“Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing.” (2 Thessalonians 1:3 NLT) Though I’ve never purchased a First-Class ticket to fly, because my daughter’s jobs have taken her all over the world, she has accumulated a lot ofContinue reading “First Class or Coach?”

Marriage and Ministry

“Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.” (Colossians 3:15 NLT) It catches my attention to realize the same author to whom the Lord gave insight to write the words of Colossians 1:15ff about the grandeur and majesty of Jesus, also inspired the words of the verse above. It occurs to me that hadContinue reading “Marriage and Ministry”

Christ’s Worth

“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through Him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see – such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authoritiesContinue reading “Christ’s Worth”

Who’s Holding Your Rope?

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NLT) A small boy in England was asked by a scientist to be lowered down on a rope over the side of a cliff to recover some important specimens. “We will payContinue reading “Who’s Holding Your Rope?”

Focus

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:13-14 NLT) WhenContinue reading “Focus”