Lately, I’ve been more and more shocked about how the western culture seems to be getting more vulgar and immoral all the time. For example, the things they show on TV and what the general public is forced to tolerate nowadays are repulsive. Like the world had gone mad or something. Yet the Bible reminds us there’s nothing new under the sun. You’re addicted to thrills? What an empty life! The pursuit of pleasure is never satisfied. (Proverbs 21:17, MSG,*)…
As a parent I am so happy that my children want to be hugged. They seek my embrace no matter how old they get. Their obvious delight when we embrace is a blessing to me. Today, after receiving a warm hug from my daughter, I wondered whether our God loved our embraces as much as I did. What do you think? And, if ‘yes’, how could we embrace God? Embracing God seems unattainable. But it isn’t. God is never far…
Do you think you need more faith? Did you know that there’s no ‘more’ or ‘less’ in faith? If you don’t believe me, believe Jesus. 5 The apostles came up and said to the Master, “Give us more faith.” 6 But the Master said, “You don’t need more faith. There is no ‘more’ or ‘less’ in faith. If you have a bare kernel of faith, say the size of a poppy seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, ‘Go jump in…
Are you spiritually protected? Do you use all the spiritual weapons God has placed at your disposal? Because, you should. That is the only way we can stand up to everything the Devil throws at our way. We really do need spiritual protection. More than we know. Because, as Paul put it, we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies but against against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world. 10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through…
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….
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…
Do you dare to bother God with your problems? Or do you think God is not interested in what is going on in your life? Too often we keep away from God because we think we should not bother God. That is so sad. So, so sad. We think we are noble to leave God to others who are more desperate for God. But, first of all, God is not that small; God is capable to help all of us….
Do you surrender to Jesus daily? Good for you if you do. It does not have to be anything extravagant. We can just whisper “I am yours, Lord” and experience God’s sweet, loving presence right then and there. I am Yours, therefore save me [Your own]; for I have sought (inquired of and for) Your precepts and required them [as my urgent need]. (Psalm 119:94, AMP) When we breath in the Spirit of God, we breath out our worries, regrets,…
Good Friday is here. It reminds me of how blessed we are to have a God who did not spare expenses to reach us, to make us right with him. If you want to get a good grasp of the message of Good Friday, start by reading chapter 53 in Isaiah. It’s a long one but so worth it to read it. Read it slowly and marvel the fact that this was written hundreds of years before Jesus was born….
