“So I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem.” (Nehemiah 2:11-12a NLT) Nehemiah was the cupbearer of King Artaxerxes and had apparently done a great job, becauseContinue reading “God’s Plans”
Tag Archives: sacrifice
Courage to Fail?
“But no one had the courage to speak favorably about Him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.” (John 7:13 NLT) Of what do you think when you ponder the term “courage?” As I considered the idea of courage the first “picture” that came to mind was ofContinue reading “Courage to Fail?”
Is God Safe?
“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13 NLT) In C. S. Lewis’ “The Chronicles of Narnia,” there is a scene from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, when the children learn that Aslan is a lion, “the Lion, the great Lion.” “Ooh!” said Susan, “I’d thoughtContinue reading “Is God Safe?”
The Cramped World of Self
“The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment isContinue reading “The Cramped World of Self”
The Joy of Cross-Bearing
“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” (Hebrew 12:2 NLT) Have you ever done something you don’t like to doContinue reading “The Joy of Cross-Bearing”
Are You Clinging to the Cross?
“Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.’” (Mark 10:21 NKJV) There’s a story that Mark shares in chapter 10Continue reading “Are You Clinging to the Cross?”
Why Give?
“When the Roman officer who stood facing Him saw how He died, he exclaimed, ‘This man truly was the Son of God!’” (Mark 15:39 NLT) Giving, in whatever form it may occur, if it’s done in an effort to do good, blesses the heart of God. The story that Jesus tells in Matthew 25 regardingContinue reading “Why Give?”
The Path of Blessing
“And if you do not carry your own cross and follow Me, you cannot be My disciple. But don’t begin until you count the cost.” (Luke 14:27-28a NLT) The path of blessing at times may seem elusive, yet over and over in Scripture it is clearly outlined. For example, in His sermon on the MountContinue reading “The Path of Blessing”
Whose Blood Was Shed for Your Sin?
“In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22 NLT) When we’re speaking to someone about the Lord, we don’t always focus our conversation on His shed blood, but implicit in every person’s forgiveness is the sacrifice ofContinue reading “Whose Blood Was Shed for Your Sin?”
The Price of Love
“So Jacob worked seven years to pay for Rachel. But his love for her was so strong that it seemed to Him but a few days.” (Genesis 29:20 NLT) Love, like faith, is in many ways an intangible. It becomes visible only when acted upon. How many times a day do we tell someone thatContinue reading “The Price of Love”
Walking With Jesus 