Purifying Prayer

“Jesus also taught: ‘Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their propertyContinue reading “Purifying Prayer”

Choices Have Consequences

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 NLT) We make our choices, then our choices make us! Everything we do, for good or ill, has a corresponding consequence. A consequence is a result or outcome, whether it’s good orContinue reading “Choices Have Consequences”

Struggle or Preparation?

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.”Continue reading “Struggle or Preparation?”

What Are You Waiting For?

“Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.” (Romans 8:20-21 NLT) Waiting is one of the things I most despise in this body. Every day I’m reminded that I’mContinue reading “What Are You Waiting For?”

The Fundamentals

“When Jesus heard this, He was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following Him, He said, ‘I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!’” (Luke 7:9 NLT) What is the essential ingredient without which no one will see God? According to Hebrews 11:6 it’s faith! Why is faith so foundationalContinue reading “The Fundamentals”

What Story Are You Telling Yourself?

“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” (Romans 8:5-6 NLT) EveryoneContinue reading “What Story Are You Telling Yourself?”

Who Decides?

“At that time the highly valued slave of a Roman officer was sick and near death.” (Luke 7:2 NLT) Great problems can lead to great outcomes, it just depends on who’s deciding the outcome. In the story above a Roman officer has a slave who is very ill and, upon hearing Jesus has healed others,Continue reading “Who Decides?”

Have You Been Raised from the Dead?

“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” (Romans 6:4 NLT) What comes first to your mind when you think of resurrection? As a rule, it seems, we tend toContinue reading “Have You Been Raised from the Dead?”

Winners and Losers

“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’s act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” (Ephesians 5:15-17 NLT) In retirement one of the fiercest battles I fight every day is how toContinue reading “Winners and Losers”

What’s the Answer?

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 NLT) A recent Breakpoint article by John Stonestreet and Glenn Sunshine entitledContinue reading “What’s the Answer?”