“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28 NLT) When I was a boy, I had an inflatable clown that I used to punch, and it would bounce right back up. I keptContinue reading “What Really Scares You?”
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Who Are the Children of God?
“This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike ‘What’s next, Papa?’” (Romans 8:15 The Message) Being a child of God is not a reconstruction of an old life, it’s the transformation into a brand-new species of being, one that has never existedContinue reading “Who Are the Children of God?”
The Power of One!
“I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments.” (Daniel 3:15a NLT) If you had to choose one thing that has had the most impact on your life, for good or ill, what would it be? Think ofContinue reading “The Power of One!”
When Fear Is Good
“’Don’t be afraid,’ Moses answered them, ‘for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of Him will keep you from sinning.’” (Exodus 20:20 NLT) Hundreds of times throughout the Bible we’re told to “fear not” or “don’t be afraid,” yet isn’t fear healthy on some levels? When IContinue reading “When Fear Is Good”
Who Are You Playing For?
“And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is My dearly loved Son, who brings Me great joy.’” (Matthew 3:17 NLT) In a recent devotional, Ron Hutchcraft told the story of a young man who was performing his first concert as a pianist. The auditorium was filled with an expectant audience, and at the end theyContinue reading “Who Are You Playing For?”
What A Beautiful Name!
“Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (PhilippiansContinue reading “What A Beautiful Name!”
Why Do We Have Communion and Baptism?
“This is My body, which is given for you. Do this to remember Me.” (Luke 22:19b NLT) Today’s post began as a letter to an inmate who was wrestling with why Jesus would introduce Communion (The Lord’s Supper) and Baptism. He seemed to think Jesus’ whole point was to do away with the law andContinue reading “Why Do We Have Communion and Baptism?”
What Does Redeemed/Redemption Mean?
“For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors.” (1 Peter 1:18a NLT) When I was in high school, I worked in a stamp redemption center. What’s that you may wonder? Years ago, it was common when you made a purchase, to receive stamps.Continue reading “What Does Redeemed/Redemption Mean?”
Why Does God Allow His Children to Suffer? (Part 2)
“I cry to You, O God, but You don’t answer. I stand before You, but You don’t even look.” (Job 30:20 NLT) The second reason God tests us is to see how genuine our commitment to Him is. But, you may ask, doesn’t God already know how genuine our commitment is? Why would He needContinue reading “Why Does God Allow His Children to Suffer? (Part 2)”
Why Does God Allow His Children to Suffer?
“If God doesn’t discipline you as He does all of His children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really His children.” (Hebrews 12:8 NLT) Today and tomorrow, I’d like for us to look at three reasons why God allows His children to suffer. But before we do, I’m compelled to address anotherContinue reading “Why Does God Allow His Children to Suffer?”
Walking With Jesus 