Forgetting what is behind Everyone needs a good forgetter. Most of us have no problem forgetting our car keys or our computer passwords. We do keep a long mental list from the past that could be trashed. We need to cultivate the discipline of forgetting who and what we resent, worry about, and are ashamed […]
Read More »The eye is the lamp of the body. An old Chinese proverb states, “Ninety percent of what we see lies behind our eyes.” We decide in our minds how we see the world; and how we use our possessions affects how we see the world. For instance, look at the treasures that we have. If […]
Read More »Since you have been raised with Christ… The Christian life is not a guilt trip over the sins that nailed Jesus to the cross. It’s a resurrected life of gratitude for what Jesus did and continues to do for you. Paul explains why in Colossians 3: “Since you have been raised with Christ.” Just as […]
Read More »He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever. Everyone needs an Advocate. As followers of Christ, ours is the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells us two of its roles. The Spirit is a presence and an attorney. The Spirit remains with us, refusing to abandon God’s children like orphans. The Spirit testifies on […]
Read More »Thinking like Jesus is one thing; but without action, it’s just words. As one of my friends once told me, if the Greeks had compiled the New Testament, the fifth book would have been “Thoughts.” Instead, right after the Gospels (good news), we have “Acts.” Now, we turn to acting like Jesus. Randy Frazee writes […]
Read More »We have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens. The television series Star Trek opened with the famous line that captured the attention of a generation: “To boldly go where no man has gone before.” The imaginative journey of the Star Trek enterprise is reality for people on earth. Jesus actually has […]
Read More »Truly God has listened Yesterday, we were summoned to come and bow. Today, we testify to each other—“Come and hear.” What is the Psalmist explaining? As we discussed Sunday, he’s experienced some sort of deliverance. More than likely the Psalmist is vulnerable enough to share where he’s failed—and reflecting on the Lord’s provision in the […]
Read More »Come, let us worship and bow down Worship summons us into the presence of our Shepherd God. We’re his sheep, and we’re called to come, bow down, and honor him. He’s the Good Shepherd who created us and everything else in the world. That’s often not how we approach worship. A little boy (not mine) […]
Read More »Cease to do evil, learn to do good. Before Isaiah says, “Here am I, send me!” (Isaiah 6:10), God summons him. God shows Isaiah how Israel’s leaders have failed. Their beliefs aren’t connected to action. As the old saying goes about fake cowboys, “They’re all hat and no cattle.” God says the solution for the […]
Read More »If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! Psalm 66:18-20 Psalm 66 is a testimony to believers about the marvelous power of God’s […]
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