“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil.” (MatthewContinue reading “What’s Your Addiction?”
Tag Archives: sin
Avoiding the “Bonk” (Part 2)
“Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corruptingContinue reading “Avoiding the “Bonk” (Part 2)”
Avoiding the “Bonk”
“So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” (Galatians 5:1 NLT) While I can’t personally imagine the horrors of slavery, having been a pastor for many years and spending a fair amount of time visiting and speaking withContinue reading “Avoiding the “Bonk””
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)”
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”
The Quietness After the Crash
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy to bear, andContinue reading “The Quietness After the Crash”
Death Is So Final!
“As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.” (Luke 16:21 NLT) Increasingly, in America, there is a shrinking “middle class,” while poverty and homelessness increase their ranks. Like the rich man in Jesus’ parable, we’re so accustomed to seeing someone begging atContinue reading “Death Is So Final!”
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?”
Are You Willing to Change?
“He who is the Glory of Israel will not lie, nor will he change his mind, for he is not human that he should change his mind!” (1 Samuel 15:29 NLT) On some levels it seems odd that our unchanging God created us, not only with the capacity to change, but with the necessity ofContinue reading “Are You Willing to Change?”
Boundaries
“For there are many rebellious people who engage in useless talk and deceive others. This is especially true of those who insist on circumcision for salvation.” (Titus 1:10 NLT) Driving home from a visit with my daughter, who lives in Seattle, Washington, I passed through a lot of open country. Eastern Washington, Montana, and WyomingContinue reading “Boundaries”
Walking With Jesus 