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?”

To the Second!

“We blossom like a flower and then wither. Like a passing shadow, we quickly disappear.” (Job 14:2 NLT) A wise friend made the observation that for families with small children the days are long, but the years are short. My “baby” girl will turn 50 this year, though it seems only yesterday we brought her home from theContinue reading “To the Second!”

Are You Being Deceived?

“For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen Ones. See, I have warned you about this ahead of time.” (Matthew 24:24-25 NLT) Deception isn’t just for the last days. Satan has been deceiving people since the Garden of Eden.Continue reading “Are You Being Deceived?”

Are Your Prayers Not Powerful Enough?

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in Me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” (John 14:12 NLT) Today I want to raise more questions than I’ll answer. I believe on the one hand we tend to get frustratedContinue reading “Are Your Prayers Not Powerful Enough?”