True Inner Strengthen

At the core of your inner being, what do you tap to get you through each day? What is the source of your strength; what makes you proud; what pleases your eyes, and warms your heart? The answer to these questions can say a lot about what you have faith in. The book of Ezekiel […]

Losing Faith

“…And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground. – 1 Samuel 17:49 (NASB) They were totally invested in the strength of Goliath. They relied on him to not only protect them, but to bring them success. They rallied behind him because he appeared powerful and unstoppable. […]

A Character for Christ

John’s life was not cluttered with things that confused his message. He did not try to impress people, rather he tried to impress upon them the need to repent of their sins and prepare for the coming of Jesus.

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 […]