Can you say, “It is well with my soul?” If we are uncertain whether or not we have His approval can leave us in a state of fear, dread, and anxiety. Did you know we are born spiritually dead and cut off from our creator? Until that condition changes, we will not have true peace. It will not be well with our souls. We were created to be one with our creator. That connection was severed when the sin of…
“It was not a cramped, circumspect, compromised life, but a life lived in a kind of wild, joyful, full-throated freedom — that was what it was to obey God.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer Why obey? John 15:11 says These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. What was Jesus talking about right before that statement? He was talking about keeping His commandments and abiding in His love. Joy in…
I have had a song in my head off and on for a few weeks called Trust and Obey. Do you know that song? It is a simple song with a powerful message. So I want to explore that topic of obedience to God. Does that sound scary? What is the first thought or emotion that rises up in you when you hear the word obey or obedience? Dread? Apprehension? Uncertainty? Inadequacy? Joy? Peace? Legalistic religion? The first thought or…
The Bible speaks of the difference between natural abilities and supernatural abilities. Jeremiah said that blessed is the person who has put their trust in the Lord, who relies totally on the Lord for all they need. Whatever happens, they will be ready. Whatever is asked of them they will be equipped. Nothing will shake them off their foundation of faith in God. What is your source? What is my source? Where do we get our abilities to deal with…
Just As I Am 1. We all come to God in the same condition. We have nothing with which to gain His approval. There is nothing about us that would commend us to Him. Nothing to say we are good enough. Nothing. No one. There is none righteous. Romans 3:10 But, He says, “Come.” Even as believers, we have nothing to commend us to Him except the blood of Jesus , His precious son. Nothing. No one. So we come,…
God “indwells” our spirit if we have been born again. His goal is to make us one with Him. Remember what Jesus shared with His disciples? Both John and Paul give us the details. Here is a list of references: John 14:20, 23 John 15:4-5 1 Cor. 6:17, 19 Romans 8:9 Colossians 1:27 1 John 5:11-12 I wonder…do we allow Him to live in us and through us? Maybe we just see Him as our helper as if He is…
Sometimes, we have plans and dreams, but they might not be what God wants so they are our responsibility. Remember this, He loves you. He wants you to be His friend. Let’s let go of what we think we need or want, or what we think are His plans for us, and let Him lead us each day however He wants. Let’s not put Him in a box. Let’s put no restrictions on Him. We might think we know what…
God’s gift of love for each one is a gift of eternal life so that we could be saved from spiritual death. And not just saved to get to heaven someday, but saved to live a life of significance—a life following Jesus, a life abounding in joy and peace. Significance means we know we are loved, needed, important to someone, and are of value. As believers, we will not only live a born again person’s life with the goal of…
Have you received anything from God? Did you know that we are all spiritual paupers until we receive from God? Like what, you say? I searched to see what God offers. Have you received any of these gifts? Life is the big one because it includes so much. So I will start with that. Have you received life? The life that makes you complete? That makes you who you were created to be? Jesus came to give us life abundant….
I know this post is a little long, but will you have a conversation with me about life’s little irritations? I was just listening to a preacher, a well-known preacher, talking about standing firm. With the armor of God, on us— the whole armor of God. And to be able to stand and to fight the spiritual warfare. But it left me with some questions. What did he mean exactly by spiritual warfare in my daily life? I’m not in…
