A Spiritual Battle
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12, NIV) “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine […]
He is Here
“He is here: the One who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals His thoughts to man, the One who makes the dawn out of darkness and strides on the heights of the earth. Yahweh, the God of Hosts, is His name.“ (Amos 4:13, HCSB) The Lord spoke this to my heart on Monday […]
Bringing in the Sheaves
“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.“ (Psalm 126:5-6, NIV) Psalm 126 is one of fifteen songs sung by Jewish Pilgrims as they traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate holy days. We call […]
Walking with God
“…that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” (Psalm 116:9, NIV) Psalm 116 is a beautiful Psalm. Take a minute or two today and read it. It begins with the psalmist in trouble: “The cords of death entangle me… (v. 3).” It ends with him toasting God (v. 13) and […]
On History and Memorials
Jesus was a master teacher, using stories, illustrations, and object lessons to make his spiritual points. When he said that memorable line: “I am the vine and you are the branches,” he and his disciples were walking through a vineyard one evening on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane. What a memorable way to […]
Pearls Before Swine
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you…Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their […]
The Gate
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.” (John 10:9, NIV) In the Gospel of John, Jesus has painted a picture for the disciples as the “Good Shepherd.” They (we) were the sheep. He warns the sheep of the dangers of robbers […]
Bobby Green is Real
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.“ (Hebrews 11:1, NIV) I was encouraged reading this chapter of Hebrews today as the author commends a great list of people for their faith. Each one trusted God, trusted God’s character, trusted God’s provision…and acted on it. […]
On Rainbows and the Eighth Commandment
“And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.” (Genesis 9:12-13, NIV) […]
God Says?
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21, NIV) Paul wrote those amazing words to the Philippian church while in a Roman prison, contemplating his own mortality. It is a wonderful reminder that life is transitory, but heaven is forever. When our lives belong to Jesus, we can be […]
As Far as I’m Concerned…
“As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said […]
Five Stones
“Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.“ (1 Samuel 17:40, NIV) Perhaps the most famous underdog victory in history – young David eschewed King Saul’s armor and sword […]
