Seven Fold Blessing

“…the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name” (Eph. 3:14-15) *May this powerful devotional by Sylvia Gunter guide us as we seek to understand what spiritual blessings are now ours through Jesus Christ our Lord. Blessings, Ed (used with permission) Spiritual blessings begin with a revelation of God asContinue reading “Seven Fold Blessing”

Are You Angry?

“Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.” (James 1:20-21 NLT) May I confess that emotional intimacy is very difficult for me.Continue reading “Are You Angry?”

Can You Forgive the Inexcusable?

“Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’” (Matthew 18:32-33 NLT) Sin seems never so evil as when it’s committed against me!Continue reading “Can You Forgive the Inexcusable?”

Are You a Good Forgetter?

“But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets your free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” (James 1:25 NLT) Having just turned 76 a few days ago I can bear witness to the truth that your memoryContinue reading “Are You a Good Forgetter?”

Our Inevitable Appointment with God

“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) The Old Testament Prophet Amos warned: “Prepare to meet your God in judgment, you peopleContinue reading “Our Inevitable Appointment with God”

Our Past

“You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil – the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires andContinue reading “Our Past”

Do You Like Jesus?

“If you want to be My disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison – your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters – yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot by My disciple.” (Luke 14:26 NLT) Some reading the above verse may be thinking: “Whoa! I don’t remember ever reading thatContinue reading “Do You Like Jesus?”

The Cross and the Porn Store

“Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!” (Matthew 6:22-23 NLT)Continue reading “The Cross and the Porn Store”

Are You Settling for Crumbs?

“Then they scoffed, ‘He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers – James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. All his sisters live right here among us. Where did he learn all these things?’ And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.” (Matthew 13:55-57a NLT) The Lord willContinue reading “Are You Settling for Crumbs?”

Choose Grace

“Then Peter came to Him and asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ ‘No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘But seventy times seven!’” (Matthew 18:21-22 NLT) Like forgiveness, grace is a choice. How so? In the verses above Peter wasn’t questioning the fact of forgiveness, but the frequency;Continue reading “Choose Grace”