Judging with Discernment

At the end of what are commonly referred to as the Beatitudes, Matthew 7:28 tells us: “When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes (NASB).” The people could tell that this was the Son of God; […]

Dinner with a Friend

I did not feel worthy. Would he ever forgive me? My heart ached to be with him, to hear him. Then I heard a faint voice. Did I imagine it? Someone called my name. From the front entrance; a firm tap on the door. My heart raced, my hand on the door knob. Slowly, I […]

Grumbling to God

It is a good reminder to us that even though we may grumble to another person about our circumstances, about how we are treated, we are actually grumbling to God.

The Anxiety of Hope

The key is to pray when feelings arise of concern for others. We may still worry, still feel anxious, but don’t lose sight of praying for that person.

The Dirty Laundry in Our Life

As a culture, we seem obsessed with whitening things. Laundry detergent ads boast about how they make whites whiter and toothpaste ads boast about whiter teeth. But no matter how white they make things, teeth and clothes can soon become dingy. It reminds me of our efforts to purify ourselves of the “sin which so […]

The Motives Behind Faith

What is your motivation for following Jesus? Is it for personal gain, or is it driven by devotion to Him? People can profess loyalty, a belief in Jesus, but their actions express something else. Jesus saw this played out in the temple. “And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep […]

Ignoring the Obvious

I am amazed at the disbelief of the Pharisees. Jesus has raised Lazarus from the dead in front of dozens of witnesses (John 11:1-45). Later Lazarus is reclining at table with Jesus having supper (12:2). The undeniable proof of the miraculous works of Jesus, Lazarus, is sitting at table with him eating after being dead […]

When Bitterness Consumes Joy

It’s easy to point a finger at Haman and say he should thank the Lord for all his blessings, but it’s also a warning to us that the things of this world will not satisfy; that bitterness can consume us.

Angry Loss

What does anger cause us to miss? Our frustration, bitterness and resentment can taint our day and cause us to lash out at people, damage relationships and create difficult situations. This response does not convey God’s love, grace or holiness to others. When we respond to life with anger, we miss out on what God […]

Putting Away Malice

When I feel I am treated unjustly, it seems my first reaction is to strike back, to defend myself. But Peter reminds us, “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance (1 Peter 1:14, NIV).” While we have the Spirit of God within us as followers […]