I think you would agree the Bible has some pretty big words, but if we’ll look deeper, they are BIG in context too. One of those words is justification. The dictionary gives three basic definitions. One is simply the act of justifying; meaning an explanation that defends you or a circumstance. A second definition is found in the world of ...
I went to bed kind of mad at myself for how I reacted to something. It seemed silly in hindsight. There was no reason to respond that way, except one thing… the flesh. Paul expressed it best when he said, “What I don’t want to do, I do; and what I want to do, I don’t… oh wretched man that ...
“I was not disobedient to the vision…” (Acts 26:19). After giving his testimony, this is the conclusion of Paul’s defense and explanation to King Agrippa. And I can’t help but see the importance of this statement. Two scenarios come to mind: One, what if Paul had not obeyed what Jesus told him to do? We wouldn’t have the Bible in the full ...
As Christians, we know God has called us to reflect Him to the world and to each other in love, kindness, strength, peace, and so forth. We could say, it’s expected. Not that it’s always easy, but for the most part, we understand these expectations. So I understand that my decision to choose love, have patience, forgive others (and myself), ...
For all the mere moments we have before an audience, it is all the time alone with God that can add any substance to our message. Your audience might be your child, your spouse, a coworker, or a small group having coffee together. An audience is defined as gathered spectators or listeners. Who’s your audience?Better yet, what are they observing ...
Agitating passions. Moral conflicts. I don’t know why these two phrases jumped off the page to me, other than they perfectly described what I was looking for help with. Agitating. Like a washing machine. The dictionary says it means to move or force into violent, irregular action. Or we could say, rolling something over and over to the point of ...
Years ago, my husband and I decided to paint the trim of our house one summer. We only had one ladder so I had the bright idea that an old milk crate, turned upside-down, would be a perfect pedestal for me to stand on to reach the under-hangs of our house. And it worked for a little while, until I ...
This article first appeared on The Christian Broadcasting Network | It was an utter failure — a sin that couldn’t have been predetermined, something he didn’t know he was even capable of doing. And afterward, the realization of his failure brought instant regret and bitter tears, but he couldn’t take it back. It was done and now it seemed he ...
Did you know you were made in the image of God, even before you gave your heart to Him? This means that no matter what you’ve done, what regrets you’ve carried, or how late or early you came to Christ, God never said, “Uh-oh.” He’s never been found crying over spilled milk either. Nothing surprises God. In other words, God ...
I’ve said it before: Salvation isn’t a one-time event. Not only did God’s mercy save us in the beginning, it daily saves us. The Bible says, “When the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, [it was] not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:4-5). ...
A minister once said, “You cannot find in scripture where you are to trust people. The Bible only tells us to put our trust in God.” If you’ve never thought about this before, it is a bit surprising at first. But with more meditation, it is not only true, but makes sense. “It is better to trust in the Lord, than ...
As I laid down to go to sleep, I prayed: “Lord, forgive me. I had resentment in my heart today. Thank you for helping me recognize it, deal with it, and remove it…” LESSON ONE Jesus said, “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you ...
There is an awful law at work in every Christian. It is a stumbling block for both the instigator and the witness. We would be lost if God’s Word didn’t help us understand the battle within… “What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if ...
Have you ever wished you could go back and change something? I’m certain you have. Who hasn’t? Whether small or large, regrets can be discouraging. “If only I could go back and change [such and such], but I can’t…” This is what I recently told the Lord after seeing something more clearly– something I wish I’d handled differently in the ...
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 You are the keeper of your heart. Sometimes, we’re unaware that the trials we are facing are directly related to the things we are allowing. Jesus said, “And some [seed] fell among thorns, and thorns sprang up with it and choked it… Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when ...
In his letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul made an interesting statement: “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself” (1 Corinthians 4:3). How many of us make it “a very BIG thing” to be judged? Whether by ...
Are you familiar with the Bible story of the woman caught in adultery? You and I may or may not have ever been in shoes like hers, but nonetheless, in our own mind, our sin is just as hard to bear. So despite her obvious guilt (and ours), let’s look at this story not just as a picture of initial ...
He's the God of another chance. And another chance. And another chance. And another chance. And another chance. And another chance. And another chance. And another chance. And another chance... ...