“But Jesus said ‘No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful He has been.’” (Mark 5:19 NLT) Recently my wife and I met some dear friends in Utah and visited Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon. Wow! Trying to process what your eyes areContinue reading “No Place Like Home”
Tag Archives: suffering
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?”
Why Do We Suffer?
“Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law.” (Mark 8:31a NLT) As human beings living on this planet, we will suffer, but have you ever stopped to wonder why? All people shareContinue reading “Why Do We Suffer?”
Contentment
“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.” (1 Timothy 6:6 NLT) My first mission’s trip was to an area near Lima, Peru. Nothing would have prepared me for what I saw. I cried much of the first day. The average life expectancy there was about 40 years. Children were running the streets begging,Continue reading “Contentment”
God’s School of Faith
“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” (Romans 5:1 NLT) When you think about it, we start at ground zero in the faith department as a new believer in Christ. How do I knowContinue reading “God’s School of Faith”
When God Says “No”
“My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from Me.” (Matthew 26:39 NLT) Has God ever said “no” to you when you thought you were asking in complete faith and trust? Have you ever prayed, agonizing in your spirit, begging God to take something: a pain, some form ofContinue reading “When God Says “No”“
Why Does God Allow His Children to Suffer? (Part 2)
“I cry to You, O God, but You don’t answer. I stand before You, but You don’t even look.” (Job 30:20 NLT) The second reason God tests us is to see how genuine our commitment to Him is. But, you may ask, doesn’t God already know how genuine our commitment is? Why would He needContinue reading “Why Does God Allow His Children to Suffer? (Part 2)”
Why Does God Allow His Children to Suffer?
“If God doesn’t discipline you as He does all of His children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really His children.” (Hebrews 12:8 NLT) Today and tomorrow, I’d like for us to look at three reasons why God allows His children to suffer. But before we do, I’m compelled to address anotherContinue reading “Why Does God Allow His Children to Suffer?”
When Prayer is Hard
“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.” (Romans 8:26a NLT) Has this Christmas season been hard? Perhaps a severe loss has you grieving. I get it. Pain is a tremendous deterrent to celebration. It’s as though life has been sucked out of us. Even as Jesus followers, we’re not exempt from the anguishContinue reading “When Prayer is Hard”
Grappling With Grief (Part 3)
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” (Psalm 56:8 NLT) Two lessons I’ve learned and will pass on for your consideration. First, the truth upon which I’m seeking to build my life, which enables me to hold lifeContinue reading “Grappling With Grief (Part 3)”
Walking With Jesus 