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 Towel on the Floor

“They didn’t understand what He was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask Him what He meant.” (Mark 9:32 NLT) In our aging, my wife and I don’t remember things so well and, too often, disagree as to what we don’t remember. You know the drill: “Why’d you leave the door open? Don’t youContinue reading “The Towel on the Floor”

Be Careful What You Pray For

“When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, ‘Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to You and have served You single-mindedly, always doing what pleases You.’ Then he broke down and wept bitterly.” (2 Kings 20:2-3 NLT) Some of the most uplifting, encouraging, andContinue reading “Be Careful What You Pray For”

Reason or Revelation?

“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:10 NLT) Do you have money or does money have you? And please don’t misunderstand, you may not have a lot of money,Continue reading “Reason or Revelation?”

Pain and Suffering (Part 2)

“The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one.” (Matthew 13:38 NLT) In yesterday’s post we looked at pain and suffering from the standpoint of our own responsibility. We considered that much of what we often tend toContinue reading “Pain and Suffering (Part 2)”

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!”

Declaration Of Release

“It is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippian 1:6, 2:13) *Please read carefully and be attentive to the Holy Spirit asContinue reading “Declaration Of Release”

The Two Faces of Pride

“Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26b NLT) Pride isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it depends on the object of our pride. In 1 Samuel 17, from which the above verse is taken, David is exhibiting pride, but his intention isn’tContinue reading “The Two Faces of Pride”

Is Divorce the Answer?

“’For I hate divorce!’ says the Lord, the God of Israel.” (Malachi 2:16a NLT) Our goal as Jesus followers is to follow God and His choices for us, not seek to have Him agree with our choices. What are we to follow? In short, His paths of righteousness. What does that mean? Righteousness simply meansContinue reading “Is Divorce the Answer?”