Darkness and Light

“For when you see Me, you are seeing the One who sent Me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in Me will no longer remain in the dark.” (John 12:45-46 NLT) Knowing there is a Light and walking in that Light areContinue reading “Darkness and Light”

Encouragement

“For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means ‘Son of Encouragement’).” (Acts 4:36 NLT) Barnabas is arguably the greatest encourager in the New Testament, save Jesus Himself. It’s interesting in the verse above the word translated “Encouragement,” used in reference to Barnabus, is the same word Jesus used in JohnContinue reading “Encouragement”

A Banquet on the Battlefield

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.” (PsalmContinue reading “A Banquet on the Battlefield”

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?”

Are You Living Forgiven?

“He replied, ‘You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: “When they see what I do, they will learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they will turnContinue reading “Are You Living Forgiven?”

Why Does Christianity Work?

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1 NLT) Christianity, as I understand it, isn’t a religion, as much as it’s a relationship. So, the question above could also be asked, as with any relationship, “Why does a relationship with the God of theContinue reading “Why Does Christianity Work?”

When God Says “NO!”

“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) Jim Mitchell wrote in a Family Life devotional: “I’d been waiting anxiously. This was not just any job—it was my dream job. OneContinue reading “When God Says “NO!””

That Day!

“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son Himself. Only the Father knows.” (Matthew 24:36 NLT) In 2023, on average, more than 330,000 people die every day. Of those nearly 70% are by accidents. What does that tell us? It tellsContinue reading “That Day!”

Why Is Love the “Greatest?”

“Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT) When I think of faith, hope, and love I think of concentric circles, almost like a target, with faith and hope being in the outer circles that point to the middle target ofContinue reading “Why Is Love the “Greatest?””

A Deep Sadness

“I am dying from grief; my years are shortened by sadness. Sin has drained my strength; I am wasting away from within.” (Psalm 31:10 NLT) Grief can be a debilitating disease of the soul. While grief can be healthy and helpful, it can also drive us to a destructive self-analysis that can be crippling. IfContinue reading “A Deep Sadness”