What Is Jesus Saying to You from the Cross?

“When Jesus saw His mother standing there beside the disciple He loved, He said to her, ‘Dear woman, here is your son.’ And He said to this disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from then on this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:26-27 NLT) Have you ever wondered why John was the onlyContinue reading “What Is Jesus Saying to You from the Cross?”

The Opposite of Joy

“What sorrow awaits you who say, ‘If only the day of the Lord were here!’ You have no idea what you are wishing for. That day will bring darkness, not light. In that day you will be like a man who runs from a lion – only to meet a bear. Escaping the bear, heContinue reading “The Opposite of Joy”

Sticks and Stones

“’Teacher,’ they said to Jesus, ‘this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?’” (John 8:4 NLT) It’s unlikely that any of us have been caught in the “act of adultery,” except perhaps in our mind, but we’ve all been tempted, as wereContinue reading “Sticks and Stones”

A Final End

“So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment.” (2 Peter 2:9 NLT) Are there days you think will never end? How about seasons of suffering, heartache, or temptation? How about the seeming endless prayers for lostContinue reading “A Final End”

The Heart of the Gospel

“’He saved others,’ they scoffed, ‘but He can’t save Himself! So He is the King of Israel, is He? Let Him come down from the cross right now, and we will believe in Him! He trusted God, so let God rescue Him now if He wants Him! For He said, “I am the Son ofContinue reading “The Heart of the Gospel”

The Only List That Matters

“And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.” (1 John 5:11-12 NLT) It’s interesting to note that when the Titanic departed on its maiden voyage the passengersContinue reading “The Only List That Matters”

God Speaks

“So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.” (2 Corinthians 12:7b NLT) There are things we do and directions we choose that are dangerous and dishonoring to the Lord. So, there are times, as inContinue reading “God Speaks”

When Sin Is Celebrated

“Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.’” (John 8:34 NLT) In the early 1970’s Dr. Karl Menninger published a book entitled “Whatever became of sin?” In the era in which we now live sin is so advertised, applauded, and accepted that it doesn’t seem to be problematicContinue reading “When Sin Is Celebrated”

Do You Hate Your Sin?

“They kept demanding an answer, so He stood up again and said, ‘All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!’” (John 8:7 NLT) We are very reluctant to face our own sin unless or until we have no choice. My sense is that to be in the presence ofContinue reading “Do You Hate Your Sin?”

Failure Doesn’t Have to Be Final

“Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me – now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God.Continue reading “Failure Doesn’t Have to Be Final”