Have you read the Beatitudes in Matthew chapter 5 lately? It talks about being poor in spirit and pure in heart. Jesus said that it will be the pure in heart that sees God. And He says that the kingdom of God is for the poor in spirit. Pure in heart? Do you know anyone that is pure in heart? What about poor in spirit? What does that mean? What does that mean today? Are they just nice-sounding words that…
What does obedience have to do with a successful Christian journey? I was taking a walk and talking with God recently about this. Here is my side of our conversation. Lord, You have provided for us and encourage us to stand. To withstand the enemy. Stand in victory because we walk from the point of victory. We don’t fight for victory. You provide all we need for life and godliness. All we need. Nothing missing. Nothing lacking. To give us…
Valuable Have you ever lost something you considered very valuable, something precious to you? How did that make you feel? Did you know that is what happened to God? In the Garden of Eden, He lost His created beings to another. They were traitors. How did He feel? Did His lost people care that they were lost? Don’t know. But, He did. Before we came to Christ, did we care that we were lost? To the end of getting them…
Bible wisdom for today Do you get your advice from the Bible? Did you know Bible wisdom is God’s advice for every situation today? It is timeless. Now that is worth checking out. Comparing God’s wisdom with the wisdom of man is like comparing the wisdom of an elderly wise person with the wisdom of a two-year-old. Somehow, human wisdom does not measure up. It’s not that it is bad. Rather, it lacks true truth. Longtime unchanging truth. A truth…
Yesterday I watched “Where Was God” a Facebook live presentation at the Martyrs Memorial in Bartlesville, OK, in which three people were honored by the sacrifice of their lives: a father, son, and daughter. They gave their lives in 2014 in Afghanistan when their home was invaded by those who hated Christians. The father was killed on the main floor while the two teenage children were listening upstairs, knowing what was probably coming to them. Yes, they too were shot…
A few weeks ago, I wrote about our need for forgiveness and what that forgiveness is based on. Now let’s explore how we can forgive when it is really difficult. Our part in the forgiveness process is explained by John Woodward in his article “Dimensions of Forgiveness.” In that article, he lists three steps. I like it because it is simple and clear. Step 1 Forgiveness – relinquishment The first step is giving it to God. Whatever the offense, whatever…
Forgiveness based on what? Forgiveness from God is based on the blood of Jesus. No sin is too bad. Jesus’ blood is enough. That is what God looks on, not the sin, but the blood of Jesus. He doesn’t base our forgiveness on our character, the badness of our sin, nor on how we’ve tried to atone for it by doing good. It is not based on how good we are in every other area of our lives. Nor does…
Forgiveness – a tough subject This subject has been on my mind a lot. As I began to explore it, what was to be one post has turned into more. Come with me as I continue to explore forgiveness and see what others have to say about it. Forgiving others Forgiving ourselves Accepting forgiveness What would you give to know forgiveness, to know there is nothing against you, or to know that you are clean? Memories of the wrongs we…
Meditation – Buddhism in disguise? It has come to my attention that meditation which is very similar to eastern meditation is creeping into our churches and public school systems. Maybe you have heard of it but didn’t recognize it because of its labels. Have you heard of: contemplative prayer breath prayers centering prayers mindfulness All of these are forms of meditation founded in Buddhism. All of these are described as ways to get close to God. The focus is on…
This week I’m sharing my exchanged life message from one year ago. It was my very first time speaking publicly. I have never considered myself a public speaker so I was a bit nervous, but it went well. It is featured on Grace Fellowship International website. Or listen below. It can also be found in print in the menu above. This week I shared the light for my path that I found in the following passages: Colossians 1:15-18 and Colossians…
