My last speaking engagement for this spring was last Thursday and when I got into my car I spontaneously started singing a traditional summer hymn. The hymn usually marks the beginning of summer for us. Maybe I just turned off my brain or something because I forgot to blog last Friday. I’ve been blogging for years now and never before missed a post when scheduled. Interestingly, I did not even notice it until I started to write today’s post. Friends,…
Facing the truth is sometimes very hard. Accepting the blame is not fun or easy. But it is necessary in order to live authentically. How about you? Do you accept the reality of your sinfulness? Sure, it’s one of the hardest things to do. But it is also one of the things that bless us the most. Because when we come to terms with our sinfulness, we are ready to receive the only effective remedy for sin known to humankind:…
Today, I want to encourage you deeper into God’s grace. You see, we are all invited to live and move around in God’s grace. We don’t have to tiptoe around or stay around the entrance in God’s kingdom. Because of Jesus, we are all welcome right into the center of God’s sweet presence. God loves to save sinners but, folks, that’s not the end. He has beautiful things in store for all his children. You see, grace activates you to…
Do you know that you are a VIP in God’s eyes? Sometimes we think that our life is so small or simple that it is not significant. Maybe not if seen through the eyes of the world. But God thinks you are a Very Important Person. God created you, gave his only Son to die for you and through the resurrection of Jesus Christ made it possible for you to be made right with him. God waits to hear from you…
Isn’t it so easy to see the wrong in others? Since Adam and Eve, we’ve tried to blame anyone and everyone but ourselves. Sometimes we even blame God in order to make ourselves feel a bit better. But it does not work in the long run. We don’t get any cleaner by taking mud baths. Maybe it is time to exchange blame for grace? Look! Listen! God’s arm is not amputated—he can still save. God’s ears are not stopped up—he…
Why should you (or why do you) seek God and his presence? Should we need any other reason that the Bible tells us so? Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually [longing to be in His presence] (1 Chronicles 16:11, AMP). Two things come to mind right away. Hope they will bless you and your relationship with Jesus. The more you experience God’s presence, the more your capacity to experience his presence grows. God wants to share…
Do you ever struggle with following Jesus without knowing where you’re going? It’d be nice to know where Jesus is taking you, right? It is hard to trust without any reservations. We might even doubt our own abilities to follow. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:29-30, NIV) Taking up the…
Does the call to holiness intimidate you? Do you feel it’s beyond your power? Do you know what? You’ve got that right. Holiness is something we can’t attain through effort. But it is possible to obtain holiness by God’s grace. It does not happen without the Holy Spirit’s presence is our life. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. (Romans 6:22, NKJV, emphasis…
Are you feeling down? Is your soul singing unexpected blues? Are you weary, burned-out, at the end of your rope? Don’t worry. There are loads of fresh hope reserved just for you. You might not believe it right now. But bare with me. Do you remember how Jesus, in his sermon on the mount, calls people happy or blessed who are hopeless? Why on earth would he do that? Read it yourself: “Happy are people who are hopeless, because the…
Are you in need of rest? Don’t be fooled. Don’t look for it in the wrong places. Turn to God, get away with him, and find real rest for your soul. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. (Matthew 11:29, AMP,*) God is gentle and humble at heart. He wants what’s…
