Why So Many Miss Heaven

“The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.” (Matthew 7:13b NLT) When I was in college, I worked part time at the local newspaper, where I met a young man about my age, whose nickname was “Garb.” That seemed a little odd, so one dayContinue reading “Why So Many Miss Heaven”

Jesus, Our Disciplinarian

“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2a NLT) Our faith journey is begun in and by Jesus and will be finished/completed in and by Jesus. That’s what it means that He’s the One “who initiates and perfects our faith.” According to Strong’s Concordance,Continue reading “Jesus, Our Disciplinarian”

Does God Send People to Hell?

“No one is righteous – not even one.” (Romans 3:10 NLT) In yesterday’s post we looked at why we can’t trust our own goodness to get us into heaven, concluding that Jesus is our only hope, based on what the Bible teaches. Many with whom I speak can’t wrap their minds around why Jesus mustContinue reading “Does God Send People to Hell?”

When Prayer is Hard

“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.” (Romans 8:26a NLT) Has this Christmas season been hard? Perhaps a severe loss has you grieving. I get it. Pain is a tremendous deterrent to celebration. It’s as though life has been sucked out of us. Even as Jesus followers, we’re not exempt from the anguishContinue reading “When Prayer is Hard”

Faith/Faithful

“You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror!” (James 1:19 NLT) Yesterday, we looked at the word “Belief/Believe,” and talked about how vital it is to have solid, biblically based beliefs as it relates to Jesus. FaithContinue reading “Faith/Faithful”

Belief/Believe

“For it is My Father’s will that all who see His Son and believe in Him should have eternal life.” (John 6:40 NLT) A few days ago, we looked at the connection between the words: “love” and “relationship.” Today and tomorrow, we’ll look at two more words found in the Bible that are very interrelatedContinue reading “Belief/Believe”

Sharing the Good News of Jesus (Part 3)

“And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.”  (Mark 5:17 NLT) One of my favorite stories in the Bible is in Mark 5, when Jesus heals a demon-possessed man. The man lived in a cemetery and the demons had made him so powerful that even shackles couldn’t hold him.Continue reading “Sharing the Good News of Jesus (Part 3)”

Am I Really Going to a Better Place When I Die?

“And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment.”         (Hebrews 9:27 NLT) If I was the proverbial “man on the street” with a microphone, and I asked you: “What do you think happens after you die? Do you think you’ll go to a better place or a worseContinue reading “Am I Really Going to a Better Place When I Die?”

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”

Holding Life with Open Hands

“The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21b NLT) Suffering loss can be debilitating, and it can take many shapes. If you’re a pet lover, you’ll understand how heartbreaking losing a pet can be. Lola was only five pounds when sheContinue reading “Holding Life with Open Hands”