“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.” (Matthew 25:1 NLT) Like the other parables Jesus told, this is a fictional story designed to make one primary point, but from which other pertinent information can be gleaned. I will summarize the story thatContinue reading “Are You Ready for the Bridegroom?”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
What Will Hell Be Like?
“The rich man also died and was buried, and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham with Lazarus at his side.” (Luke 16:22b-23 NLT) Let me begin with this disclaimer – NO ONE knows with certainty what hell will be like, except Jesus. So, my observations inContinue reading “What Will Hell Be Like?”
A Guide to More Effective Praying
“When you pray…” (Matthew 6:5a NLT) Prayer can be a conflicting process for believers. Often our attitude towards prayer and praying is somewhere between obligation and responsibility. Rarely is it seen as the privilege and honor that it is. Praying can be accompanied by guilt, because we’re not sure what to say or even whyContinue reading “A Guide to More Effective Praying”
Following Jesus’ Model Prayer
“Pray like this…” (Matthew 6:9a NLT) Yesterday we looked at what I think of as the “heartbeat of prayer.” Today I’d like us to look at more of the “mechanics of prayer.” In Matthew 6:5-8 Jesus outlines some things we shouldn’t do when we pray. When prayer becomes an end in itself, it isn’t conversationContinue reading “Following Jesus’ Model Prayer”
Praying In Line With God’s Purposes
“Lord, teach us to pray…” (Luke 11:1a NLT) This is the last “P” we’ll look at related to what “Seeking God’s Kingdom First” might look like (see last three Posts). We’ve looked at PURSUE knowing, loving, and serving the Lord Jesus with intentionality and consistency. PRIORITIZE your schedule to reflect the priority of His Kingdom,Continue reading “Praying In Line With God’s Purposes”
Following Healthy Life-Patterns
“But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matthew 7:14 NLT) If you’re serious about following the narrow road that leads to an eternity with Jesus, you’ll PURSUE Him with intentionality, you’ll PRIORITIZE your schedule to make time to grow in your understandingContinue reading “Following Healthy Life-Patterns”
Is Seeking God’s Kingdom Your Top Priority?
“Set your heart first on His Kingdom and His goodness…” (Matthew 6:33a – Phillips) In yesterday’s Post we looked at what it means to “Seek” God’s Kingdom, by earnestly and consistently PURSUING God through thorough and persistent study and investigation. Desiring Him above all else, in a similar way as you would desire someone withContinue reading “Is Seeking God’s Kingdom Your Top Priority?”
Seeking FIRST God’s Kingdom
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else…” (Matthew 6:33a NLT) In 2 Chronicles 34:3 (NLT) the Bible says: “During the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David.” Josiah was only eight years old when he became King of Judah, so inContinue reading “Seeking FIRST God’s Kingdom”
Living Like Jesus Matters
“In this new life…Christ is all that matters…” (Colossians 3:11 NLT) The title of one of the books I’m currently reading is Person of Interest, Why Jesus Still Matters in a World that Rejects the Bible. It’s written by J. Warner Wallace “America’s foremost cold case Detective.” In Warner’s words: “God didn’t matter to meContinue reading “Living Like Jesus Matters”
What Is Generosity?
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT) Everything we have has been given to us as a grace-gift. “But wait a minute,” you may be thinking. “Didn’t I sacrifice and invest years of my life for myContinue reading “What Is Generosity?”
Walking With Jesus 