How to Experience God’s Goodness

“Worship GOD if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness” (Psalm 34:9 The Message) Many people I’ve met across the years have been disappointed with God, at least that’s what they’ve said. The reality is, they were seeing Him through the stained and clouded lens of their own experiences. Seeing GodContinue reading “How to Experience God’s Goodness”

A Changed Life

“Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.” (John 3:6 NLT) What does it mean to have a “changed life?” There are life-changing events and experiences that may have nothing to do with a person meeting Jesus or having a heart-change for God. Someone can win the lottery,Continue reading “A Changed Life”

Your Race of Faith?

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1 NLT) Outside magazine ranContinue reading “Your Race of Faith?”

Are You Praying Safe Prayers?

“Don’t you realize that I could ask My Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and He would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now? (Matthew 26:53-54 NLT) Prayer is the most powerful force on earth, yet we often treat it likeContinue reading “Are You Praying Safe Prayers?”

Death Is Not the Greatest Tragedy

“But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:22-23 NLT) TheContinue reading “Death Is Not the Greatest Tragedy”

Repentance and Salvation

“For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT) Without any desire to judge the intent of a person’s heart when they comeContinue reading “Repentance and Salvation”

Failure and Fullness

“From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.” (John 1:16 NLT) Failure, like so many areas and activities of our lives, is relative. Some, unfamiliar with the truth behind Jesus’ sacrifice, would dare say He was a failure. After all, a bright, young, Rabbi got Himself murdered on a cross atContinue reading “Failure and Fullness”

A Suitable Response

“When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death.” (Romans 7:5 NLT) Our response to temptation, which, though it isn’t sin, can lead to sin, is telltale evidence of the condition ofContinue reading “A Suitable Response”

When We Get Honest

“And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.” (Luke 8:15 NLT) Nothing of eternal value is ever gained dishonestly. Lying to ourselves or others about the things of God, whether it relates to our daily disciplines asContinue reading “When We Get Honest”

A Closer Look at Self-Control

“By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.” (2 Peter 1:3 NLT) Self-control, or lack thereof, is at the root of a lot of wrong that is done in the name of Jesus. The word that is translated “self-control” in the New Living Translation is translated “temperance”Continue reading “A Closer Look at Self-Control”