The Blessing of Tough Times – Control, Purpose & Heart – Part 3
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)James 1:2-4 - My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and...
The Blessing of Tough Times – General Principles – Part 2
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)James 1:2-4 - My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and...
The Blessing of Tough Times – Part 1
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)James 1:2-4 - My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and...
Jesus Matters
Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (NKJV)I walked into the High School of one of my teenage children the other day only to be quickly "ditched" because they feared their friends might actually...
Sinners Only Please
Matthew 9:13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (NKJV)On the surface it seems odd that Jesus wants the sinners instead of the "good" people. Aren't good people...
A Trip to the Laver
Exodus 30:20 When they go into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire to the Lord, they shall wash with water, lest they die. (NKJV)The Jewish Tabernacle was a good picture of how to approach God. The...
Where Shall We Go?
John 6:68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." (NKJV)Jesus had just asked the disciples if they wanted to quit following Him like many others recently had. They replied, "where are we going to go? You have the...
Perilous Times
2 Timothy 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control,...
When Bad Times Call
Psalm 112:7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. (NKJV)War. Disaster. Economic Depression. Lawsuits. Disease. Job Loss. Unfaithfulness. Injustice. Crime.How much fear do these invoke in your heart? In the inevitable...
Recognize Who You’re Talking To
Isaiah 2:10 Enter into the rock, and hide in the dust, From the terror of the Lord And the glory of His majesty. (NKJV) When you approach God in prayer, the first order of business is to contemplate Who you are about to speak to. The world is much too casual today...
When Blessing Brings Shame
Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” (NKJV)What did Peter see? He saw in spite of his doubt, when he did things the Lord’s way, blessing followed. This brought a response of brokenness...
When Will We Ever Learn
Luke 5:5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” (NKJV)How much heartache and burden do we needlessly endure because of our tendency to trust God as a last resort?We...
The High View of Scripture
Psalm 139:17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! (NKJV)What would an autograph or personal letter from the most famous person you can think of be worth to you? Michael Jordan, Elvis Presley, Abraham Lincoln, Winston...
Choosing Friends
Proverbs 12:26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray. (NKJV)A Christian should very carefully consider who they have as close friends. Like all things about this fallen world, it is our natural tendency to...
Whats the Use?
Ecclesiastes 2:17 Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind. (NKJV)In other words, what's the use? Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever got to that point in your life...
How Much Is Enough?
Proverbs 30:8b …Give me neither poverty nor riches… (NKJV)The general consensus today concerning income is that more is better. And increasing one's income is the primary deciding factor in employment decisions.More is not always better. The Bible is full of warnings...
Off With His Head!
2 Samuel 16:9 Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please, let me go over and take off his head!” (NKJV)The “dead dog” was Shimei, who was following King David cursing and spitting at him. Abishai, a...
Our Burdens
I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. (NKJV)As God’s very own children, we alone, of all people, have the privilege of knowing that God is ready to care of us. When we need help, when we...
Rebukes and Beatings
Proverbs 17:10 Rebuke is more effective for a wise man, Than a hundred blows on a fool. (NKJV)A wise person is more affected by a single word of correction, than a foolish person is by a beating.Godly correction comes primarily through the study of God’s Word. He may...
Find Out and Change Your Life
James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (NKJV) Find out what God has to say. And change your life accordingly.That could pretty much sum up the committed Christian life. Bible study that doesn't change your life is just...
Saying Whats On Your Mind
Proverbs 12:16 A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame. (NKJV) Foolishness is lack of wisdom. Foolish behavior manifests itself in various forms and choices. "A fool's wrath is known at once..." In other words, fools shoot off their mouth every...
Really, Who Is Like Our God?
Psalm 35:10 All my bones shall say, “LORD, who is like You…?” (NKJV)Yesterday we talked about Eternity and that God had no beginning. Now that you've got that all settled 🙂 let's take a look at some more wondrous things about God. Have you ever considered:God knew in...
Who Is Like God?
Psalm 35:10 All my bones shall say, “LORD, who is like You…?” (NKJV)Do you have a sense of amazement, wonder and awe about God? When you think of Him, are you left in speechless contemplation of what, or who, could possibly be compared to God Almighty? "Lord, who is...
A Life of Great Reward – Gold & Honey – Part 8
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)Psalm 19:11b - ... And in keeping them there is great reward. (NKJV)This series of lessons looks at the life most Christians want, many Christians talk about and some Christians experience brief glimpses of......
Desire Equals Discipline
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (NKJV)There is an old parable about true desire that has taken many forms but it goes something like this:A student...
A Life of Great Reward – Judgments – Part 7
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)Psalm 19:11b - ... And in keeping them there is great reward. (NKJV)This series of lessons looks at the life most Christians want, many Christians talk about and some Christians experience brief glimpses of......
A Life of Great Reward – Good Fear – Part 6
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)Psalm 19:11b - ... And in keeping them there is great reward. (NKJV)This series of lessons looks at the life most Christians want, many Christians talk about and some Christians experience brief glimpses of......
Our Need for Jesus
Jesus can fulfill what is missing... Lord Jesus, I am blind and need You to be my light. I am ignorant, and I need You to be my wisdom. I want to do things my own way, so I ask You to be my mind. I pray that You open my ears so that I may always hear the spirit's...
A Life of Great Reward – Enlightenment – Part 5
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)Psalm 19:11b - ... And in keeping them there is great reward. (NKJV)This series of lessons looks at the life most Christians want, many Christians talk about and some Christians experience brief glimpses of......
A Life of Great Reward – Joy – Part 4
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)Psalm 19:11b - ... And in keeping them there is great reward. (NKJV)This series of lessons looks at the life most Christians want, many Christians talk about and some Christians experience brief glimpses of......
A Peaceful Life
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. (NKJV)There is one thing almost every person wants deep down: peace. Not just peace in their nation (absence of war), but peace in their relationships (absence of conflict), and peace in...
A Life of Great Reward – Wisdom – Part 3
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)Psalm 19:11b - ... And in keeping them there is great reward. (NKJV)This series of lessons from Psalm 19:7-11 takes a look at the life most Christians want, many talk about and some experience brief glimpses...
A Life of Great Reward – Restoration – Part 2
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)Psalm 19:11b - ... And in keeping them there is great reward. (NKJV)This series of lessons looks at the life most Christians want, many Christians talk about and some Christians experience brief glimpses of......
A Life of Great Reward – Part 1
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)Psalm 19:11b - ... And in keeping them there is great reward. (NKJV)How does this kind of life sound to you?Refreshed and re-energized Full of wisdom Joyful Pure and enlightened Consistent and righteous...
Christian Humility
Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven."Poor in spirit" speaks of understanding our true predicament and need for a Savior. This results in a true humility that originates from a correct perspective of our position with...
But I Will Remember
Psalm 77:10 - And I said, “This is my anguish; But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.” (NKJV)I love the Psalms. They speak of the entire human experience, from the darkest disappointments to the highest joys. Whatever emotion describes your...
Storms and Fear
Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. (NKJV)I live in Oklahoma where tornadoes, not hurricanes or earthquakes, make life an adventure. The impact point of a tornado is usually more destructive than a hurricane, but of course, the...
All Means All
Colossians 1:15 - He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (NKJV)The Bible is the one book that can get away with using all inclusive terms like "every", "all", "never" and "always". I find it interesting that when these terms are used in...
1 John – Full Joy in Obedience and Victory – Part 9
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)1 John - Full Joy in Obedience and Victory1 John 1:4 - And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (NKJV) The Apostle John writes "these things" in 1st John that your joy "may be full" (v.1.4)...
1 John – Full Joy, Love and No Fear – Part 8
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)1 John 1:4 - And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (NKJV)The Apostle John writes "these things" in 1st John that your joy "may be full" (v.1.4) What things?Full joy comes from fellowship...
1 John – Full Joy in Deed and Truth – Part 7
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)1 John 1:4 - And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (NKJV)The Apostle John writes "these things" in 1st John that your joy "may be full" (v.1.4) What things?Full joy comes from fellowship...
1 John – Full Joy Through Righteousness and Purity – Part 6
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)1 John 1:4 - And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (NKJV)The Apostle John writes "these things" in 1st John that your joy "may be full" (v.1.4) What things?Full joy comes from fellowship...
Blessings
God blesses His children in so many ways…Great God of Blessing,You are the Author of everything I enjoy, everything I hope for.You have taught me that nothing can penetrate my sin heart,Not the evils of this world; not my past failures;Not the rebukes of my friends;...
1 John – Full Joy Through No Love – Part 5
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)1 John 1:4 - And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (NKJV)The Apostle John writes "these things" in 1st John that your joy "may be full" (v.1.4) What things?Full joy comes from fellowship...
1 John – Full Joy for All Types – Part 4
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)1 John 1:4 - And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (NKJV)The Apostle writes "these things" in 1st John that "your joy may be full" (v.1.4). What things is he writing?Full joy comes from...
1 John – Full Joy Through Knowing Him – Part 3
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)1 John 1:4 - And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (NKJV)In the first chapter of 1st John, we find out that full joy comes from fellowship with God and His beloved Son, Jesus. You can't...
1 John – Full Joy Through Fellowship – Part 2
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)1 John 1:4 - And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (NKJV)What a wonderful opportunity God has given us. The Apostle John declares in the opening verses of 1st John that he is writing...
Fit for Service
Maker and Sustainer of all things: Day and night are Yours; heaven and earth declare Your Glory. I am a creature made through Your power and riches, but I have sinned against you by resisting the conviction of my conscience; ignoring the demands of your law and the...
1 John – Full Joy – Part 1
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)1 John 1:4 - And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (NKJV)Full joy. Joyful no matter what the circumstances. FULL joy. Not half, partial, occasional or unpredictable. Full.Hard times at...
What Matters to God
Psalm 51:3 - For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. (NKJV)One of the evidences of authenticity about the Bible is that it never covers up the ugliness in its characters lives. David is perfect example.He is the only person in the Bible...