Is Your Life Father-Filtered?

“’All right, you may test him,’ the Lord said to Satan.” (Job 1:12a NLT) Do you realize that everything that touches your life, both good and bad, passes through the filter of God’s permission? Why would God allow something bad to enter your life? Remember Job, according to God’s Word: “…was blameless – a manContinue reading “Is Your Life Father-Filtered?”

Living As People of Light

“For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.” (Ephesians 5:8-9 NLT) Have you ever been where the sun never shines? My son and I toured a massive caveContinue reading “Living As People of Light”

Does God Interfere With Our Lives?

“They began screaming at Him, ‘Why are you interfering with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before God’s appointed time?’” (Matthew 8:29 NLT) Do you believe God interferes with your life? Do you believe the pain or torment you experience is His fault? The Greek word translated “interfering” in theContinue reading “Does God Interfere With Our Lives?”

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!””

How God Judges

“You wicked servant!’ the king roared. ‘Your own words condemn you…” (Luke 19:22a NLT) What comes first to mind when you think of God’s judgment? Is God’s judgment to be feared once you’ve yielded your life to Jesus? What is God’s standard for judgment? In Hebrews 9:27, the writer says: “And just as each personContinue reading “How God Judges”

Have You Made Your “Not-To-Do” List?

“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled withContinue reading “Have You Made Your “Not-To-Do” List?”

What’s the Ugliest Thing in the World?

“If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion – how can God’s love be in that person?” (1 John 3:17 NLT) Please bear with me as there is method in the madness: Have you ever been constipated to the point that no matterContinue reading “What’s the Ugliest Thing in the World?”

When You Can’t See Through the Fog

“For the Lord God is our sun and shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in You.” (Psalm 84:11-12 NLT) One of the most difficult and scary environments in whichContinue reading “When You Can’t See Through the Fog”

When All Hope Seems Gone

“Would you wait for them to grow up and refuse to marry someone else? No, of course not, my daughters! Things are far more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord Himself has raised His fist against me.” (Ruth 1:13 NLT) Naomi’s words above reflect a heart that is broken from the traumaContinue reading “When All Hope Seems Gone”

What Do You Expect?

“Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” (Ephesians 5:2 NLT) As a pastor I was privileged to sit with people in the best times of their lives and their worst times. A parent’s worst nightmareContinue reading “What Do You Expect?”