Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. Colossians 3:23 Good, better, best; never let it rest till your good is better and your better is best. Anonymous What difference does that little bit of “extra” make? Does it count? Can you quantify it? Measure it? Bottle it? Afraid you won’t be able to keep pace with it once you’ve demonstrated your finest stuff? Asked another way, can anyone... Read more
Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3: 2,3 A frame is what you put around a picture to give it perspective. Dr. Dick Tibbits What is your frame? Large or small? Interesting concept isn’t it? Ever considered that how we view another’s offense(s) toward us is like a picture frame? When we feel hurt... Read more
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. Galatians 5:22, 23 Balance In All Things Is The Goal There are virtues (the good guys) and then there are vices (the bad guys). But who’s to say which is which? Do we rely on circumstance to distinguish between the two? Are the lines separating right and wrong so elastic that they change given... Read more
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:16 Appreciation: Don’t Leave Home Without It There is something wonderfully enigmatic about sensing that another person notices your efforts, weak attempts though they may be, and kindly expresses such recognition with even a single word of thankfulness. One paltry word, even?... Read more
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 6,7 I hurt. You hurt. We all hurt. It’s a given. At one time or another, we all feel the anguish of some measure of emotional pain. As humans, we are too often emotionally driven, at... Read more
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3: 16, 17 Jesus Saves – What A Savior! I still remember that cold Christmas night when my visiting aunt came into my room before I went to bed and shared... Read more
Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. Luke 9: 23, 24 Taking up crosses daily doesn’t mean making one big once-and-for-all sacrifice and get it over with. It means repeatedly, over and over again, day after day and year after year, saying no to present desires and... Read more
I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me. Psalm 57:2 Wisdom is found along a path that is strewn with our own sets of fears and insecurities to be faced. We must do the thing we think we cannot do. It’s in the doing that the strength comes. Paula Rinehart Earlier this week I saw my dentist and during the examination he pressed his thumb into the side of my... Read more
The God of heaven will give us success. Nehemiah 2:20 Lately, I’ve been relating a lot to the Old Testament character Nehemiah who felt physically exhausted, emotionally spent, and spiritually opposed (and I’m not trying to rebuild a wall…just be faithful to the small stuff God has called me to do). As I read about the circumstances surrounding this unflinching soul who labored long and hard despite opposition from many forces, I am struck by this man’s... Read more
Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6: 33, 34 Suppose someone you love were to say to you, “I don’t trust you. I don’t believe you love me and will care for me.” What an affront that would be to you! Yet that is what we... Read more
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In