Usually, when we talk about the Biblical concept of putting God first, we think of choosing between God and other things/people in our life. But I think it is also choosing between you and God. We are so selfish that we think of ourselves first all the time. Even in our prayers we just let God know how he could help us. We do not seek him for the sake of him. Lord, have mercy! That’s why I truly enjoyed…
God is at work behind the scenes. In the world and in your life. No matter what is going on. God is in control and God is at work for you, in you, through you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.] (John 14:27, AMP) God has not forgotten you. Rest in God and…
This year God has been teaching me about hospitality. Ever since experiencing scriptural and spiritual hospitality in very tangible ways this spring, I have been wanting to learn to practice spiritual hospitality myself. Do not forget or neglect or refuse to extend hospitality to strangers [in the brotherhood—being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously], for through it some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2, AMP) It’s important to realize…
What do you do the first thing in the morning? Does it matter? I think it does. It establishes the working conditions for your day ahead. Really. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24, NRSV,*) This is the attitude that helps to start your day right. If you remember right off that this day is a gift from God, you are most likely to give thanks for it….
Like I said on my previous post I’ve been quite exhausted and weary. Blessedly, I know where to go when I am worn out: Jesus. And, let me tell you, Jesus does not let you down. God doesn’t miss a thing. And the healing power of grace is amazing. I have enjoyed re-reading some posts of mine. I will share with you some of the wisdom. I hope they bless you too on your faith journey. Here’s some spiritual salve…
To tell the truth, right now I am a bit disappointed with myself. Even though I know how to find rest in God I have become stressed out. There are, of course, many things that have contributed to my weariness. The end of the school year stuff, obviously. But I have to admit that I am also getting tired of waiting on God’s guidance. And now, after typing that sentence, I am even more disappointed with myself. I am in…
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…
How do you feel about repentance? Should we call each other to repent? Or do you think everything is forgiven anyway so why bother with repentance? The latter type of thinking seems to become more common these days even within church. We might ask for forgiveness but we don’t repent. But the Bible is pretty clear about our need of repentance in order to be saved. For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from…
Are you afraid of natural disasters or living in general? Or are you ready to die, ready to live? Life sure is unpredictable. We can’t control it. We don’t know the time of the end of the world, neither the time of our own death. We only know that it will come one day. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will…
Rise and shine, folks! Don’t forget that Christ is risen and if your are his, you are on the victor’s side. Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! (Isaiah 60:1, AMP,*) There you have it. Arise from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you….
