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…
Do you know the real Self of our heavenly father? Because of Jesus, you are free to get to know God personally. Don’t miss this opportunity. Pray all your excuses to disappear. Pray that you will have an urge to spend more time with God. There’s nothing quite like it than be on a first name basis with God Almighty! With the words of J.I. Packer “What makes life worthwhile is having a big enough objective, something which catches our…
I was able to pet a python this past week. It was exciting. A lady in the group thought it felt like a handbag but I wouldn’t go that far. It felt more like a fabric made of very soft nails. Anyhow, I learned that in order to allow continual growth, snakes need to shed their skins regularly. This got me thinking. Should we shed our spiritual skin in order to ensure continual spiritual growth? This analogy might sound really…
Do you know how to get through the impossible? It’s not a question about planning or working hard. It’s a question of knowing Who does the work through you. It’s God’s work to get through the impossible, not yours. Your part is still important though. Here are three steps to show you how to get through the impossible. They go nicely with the words of James Hudson Taylor “There are three stages to every great work of God; first it…
Today I’ve been touched by two, very short Bible passages. They affirm my dedication to seek God and all the good things in life. This life style does not leave me short-changed. This life style leads into the real life. And not just any kind of life – but glorious life! Whoever goes hunting for what is right and kind finds life itself—glorious life! (Proverbs 21:21, MSG,*) We are to build ourselves up in Christ and by doing so we…
Do you know how to live carefree? Would you like to live carefree? I think we all do. Stress-free living would be lovely, don’t you think? But most often we think carefree living is meant for children only. That’s not true. At least, if we think of childhood as a stage of life. But it is true for God’s children who learn to trust God’s care. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you. (1 Peter 5:7, MSG,*) Trusting…
When I was a child, there was a TV ad for oat meal declaring “truth is found in oatmeal”. Since then I have been on the quest for truth. I’ve learned that truth is not found in oatmeal after all. No matter how much more nutritious it is compared to corn flakes. But I’ve learned pursuing truth is in itself valuable. Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor. (Proverbs 21:21, NRSV,*) In the process of pursuing truth…
The first letter to Thessalonians starts the way I would like to be described and remembered. Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you’re in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father. (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3, MSG’*) I would like to be a person recalled by my work of faith, my…
This summer has been so wonderful that as the start of a new school year approaches we are ready to move on. We have been swimming in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening. We have had road trips, back yard parties, and beach getaways. We are totally satisfied, filled with joyful memories and ready to move on. This made me think of a few Bible passages that states how Abraham, Isac, David, Joash and Job who all…
The parable of the prodigal son is powerful in so many ways and it speaks to us in so many levels. How about you? Do you identify more with the prodigal son or with the elder brother? I just realized that the brothers had something in common after all. They were both unhappy with their father. They were both unable to understand their father’s goodness. The younger son decided to find his happiness elsewhere – with no success. The older…
