“Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15 NLT) Leaving church one Sunday morning shortly after my divorce, my pastor asked me how I was doing. He had known me and my wife for many years. Unable to hold it together, without saying a word, I fell intoContinue reading “A Simple Presence”
Tag Archives: Jesus
What Is the Unpardonable Sin?
“I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences.” (Mark 3:28-29 NLT) The context of the above verses is a time early in Jesus’ ministry when He’d been healing people and casting out demons.Continue reading “What Is the Unpardonable Sin?”
The Things God Can’t Do
“For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37 NLT) While it’s difficult to think of something that God is not or cannot do, if we’re not careful we’ll inadvertently blame God for something He can’t possibly do. Our frame of reference is human beings. That’s what we are, that’s who we are, so, naturally, weContinue reading “The Things God Can’t Do”
What Is Brotherly Affection?
“One day David asked, ‘Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive – anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’” (2 Samuel 9:1 NLT) Saul, who was Israel’s first king, had a son named Jonathan. Jonathan was in line to become king upon his father’s death, but he recognized that he was notContinue reading “What Is Brotherly Affection?“
That the World Will Believe!
“I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are one – as You are in Me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe You sent Me.” (John 17:21 NLT) Yesterday we looked at “Life’s Greatest Tragedy,” concluding (at leastContinue reading “That the World Will Believe!”
Life’s Greatest Tragedy!
“And this is the way to have eternal life – to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one You sent to earth.” (John 17:3 NLT) Driving home from church I was listening to SiriusXM The Message when the announcer asked: “What is life’s greatest tragedy?” Then he said: “To me theContinue reading “Life’s Greatest Tragedy!”
When Our Prayers Get Honest!
“As my life was slipping away, I remembered the Lord. And my earnest prayer went out to You in Your holy Temple.” (Jonah 2:7 NLT) My most frightening dream finds me alone in the ocean at night with nothing but a life jacket. My feet dangling below me in the darkness, numb from the coldContinue reading “When Our Prayers Get Honest!”
The High Cost of Disobedience
“So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.” (Colossians 3:5-6 NLT) Much of ChristianContinue reading “The High Cost of Disobedience”
The “Gospel” of Satan
“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.” (John 10:10a NLT) Comfort and a false sense of security are two of Satan’s most effective weapons. He played his hand when he was tempting Jesus. “Then the devil took Him (Jesus) up and revealed to Him all the kingdoms of the world in aContinue reading “The “Gospel” of Satan”
Who’s “Broken” in Your Life?
“I am ignored as if I were dead, as if I were a broken pot.” (Psalm 31:12 NLT) Realizing there are lots of ways to think about brokenness, let me try to give a clearer understanding of what I mean, at least for purposes of this post. But before I do that, just to makeContinue reading “Who’s “Broken” in Your Life?”