We have the great privilege and delight, because of Christ’s sacrifice, to have a personal and intimate relationship with Him, the God of the Universe!
Christ’s love for us is deeply intimate. His love for us soars . . .
Read MoreEndurance to the End
My spiritual journals over the years are peppered with pleas that I would not deny Christ, like Peter did. And that I would not depart from the Lord in my old age, like Solomon did. Especially this last year, I have had many conversations with the Lord about “finishing well.” . . . .
Read MoreHeaven Needs No Protection
Apparently there are whole armies of war-faring angels. I have read over Jesus’ reference to “twelve legions of angels” probably hundreds of times without wondering why. Why does heaven have armies?
Heaven doesn’t need defending. . . .
Read MoreGod Is Our Personal Bodyguard
When my children were young, I would tell them that God’s rules are our umbrella of protection. If we follow God’s rules, then He covers us. But if we step out from underneath His umbrella of protection, then we make ourselves vulnerable.
These verses from Proverbs are even better imagery. When we follow God’s ways, He becomes our Personal Bodyguard. He is protecting and guarding us as we choose what is right. . . .
Read MoreTaken out of the side of Jesus
God pierced Adam’s side to give him a bride. And the Last Adam - Jesus Christ - His side was pierced to give Him a bride!
Blood and water came out of our Lord Jesus’ side. It was His redemptive blood and the water of His Word that gave us life – spiritual life. I have a fresh understanding . . .
Read MoreNew Year's Declarations
As others are making New Year’s resolutions, I am making New Year’s declarations.
Declarations speak the promises of God as fact in our lives, no matter how things look or feel. Speaking declarations is how we partner with the will of God to see change our lives.
Speaking declarations is an excellent way to overcome anxiety and produce joy (Pr. 12:28). Speaking declarations releases life wherever we go (Pr. 18:21). And declarations are essential to entering our “promised land” (Joshua 1:8).
So here are the declarations that I am going to speak over my life this year: . . .
Read MoreMary Foreshadows the Christian Life
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, foreshadows the Christian Life!
Why have I never seen this before? When the Holy Spirit impregnated Mary with Baby Jesus, He was foreshadowing Jesus coming to live inside of us once we accept Him.
Like Mary, we will be misunderstood and scorned at times. But, Oh, the joy of having Jesus . . .
Read MoreGetting Through the Holidays
I love the Christmas season so much that it breaks my heart to hear people say, “I’m just trying to get through the holidays.” Because I eagerly anticipate the focus on Jesus and the time with family, I am saddened to know that many people actually dread the Christmas season. If that’s you, I want to encourage you . . .
Read MoreHappy Hanukkah
In these verses, God is commanding that specially prepared oil be continuously brought for the priest to keep the menorah – the lamp – continuously lit. Hanukkah commemorates the miraculous provision of this specially prepared oil after the Maccabean Revolt.
About a hundred years after Alexander the Great conquered the Holy Land, his successors had long departed from his relatively benevolent rule. Antiochus Epiphanies prohibited the practice of the Jewish religion and tortuously murdered . . .
Read MoreWait on the Lord
This passage encourages me today. Like Habakkuk, I’ve been standing and praying for “my people” for decades. I had begun to despair over my vision for my loved ones.
God’s answer to Habakkuk encourages me greatly: . . .
Read MoreChoose Life!
The subtitle in my Bible says, “Discipleship is costly.” And that has been my attitude toward these verses. I must give up my rights (deny myself) and go through some difficulties (carry my cross), but it will be worth it in the end. Perhaps you have had the same attitude too. Thanks to my pastor’s sermon yesterday, I have a fresh perspective.
Pastor reminded us that these words come from the One Person who loves us the most. . . .
Read MoreMercy for the Mean
God is kind to everyone, even to people who are not grateful for the incredible sacrifice He made for them. God is kind even to evil people. And God expects the same from us. He wants us to have mercy for the mean.
This phrase in Luke is at it at the end of Jesus’ teaching on loving your enemies. I think of an enemy as someone known to me, but not in close relationship. For example, I would consider an abusive . . .
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