Sometimes things have to get worse before they get better.

And the foremen said to them, The Lord look upon you and judge, because you have made us a rotten stench to be detested by Pharaoh and his servants and have put a sword in their hand to slay us. – Exodus 5:21, Amplified Bible (AMP) After delivering God’s “Let my people go!” message to… Continue reading Sometimes things have to get worse before they get better.

Decide now on how you’ll face tragedy. It’s too late to wait until it strikes.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. – Jeremiah 29:11, KJV A few short days ago, tragedy struck a family in the county where I live. A fire consumed their house, their possessions, and two precious… Continue reading Decide now on how you’ll face tragedy. It’s too late to wait until it strikes.

Hey, keep those petty arguments amongst yourselves.

…And if the world [itself] is to be judged and ruled by you, are you unworthy and incompetent to try [such petty matters] of the smallest courts of justice? – 1 Corinthians 6:2, Amplified Bible (AMP) Christians are commanded to do everything they do for the glory of God. The reason for this commandment is… Continue reading Hey, keep those petty arguments amongst yourselves.

What are you using as your measuring stick?

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. – 1 Corinthians 11:1, KJV It can be either very gratifying or very depressing when we compare ourselves to other people. If we are better off than the next guy, we might think very highly of ourselves. If we are not as well-off… Continue reading What are you using as your measuring stick?

What will you be striving to obtain in the New Year?

And He said to them, Guard yourselves and keep free from all covetousness (the immoderate desire for wealth, the greedy longing to have more); for a man’s life does not consist in and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundance or that which is over and above his needs. – Luke 12:15, Amplified Bible (AMP) New Year’s Eve is the perfect… Continue reading What will you be striving to obtain in the New Year?

The world is filled with danger, struggle, and strife, but that’s a good thing…

…I will give you rest. – Matthew 11:28, KJV I like to hike in the mountains, but I don’t get to go hiking nearly as often as I’d like. Although I do enjoy the scenery and the exercise along the trail, the main attraction for me is neither the scenery nor the exercise; it is… Continue reading The world is filled with danger, struggle, and strife, but that’s a good thing…

Who is the object of your life?

…for He will save His people from their sins [that is, prevent them from failing and missing the true end and scope of life, which is God]. – Matthew 1:21, Amplified Bible (AMP) Remember, it’s not about you. We experience emotional stress when something or someone makes us uncomfortable. An urgent or unwelcome circumstance may be… Continue reading Who is the object of your life?

Stop jumping from oasis to oasis.

…Let not your heart be troubled… – John 14:27, KJV There are days when you just wake up jittery. The worries of the day pile on you the moment you awake, and from the get-go, you teeter-totter on the brink of screaming under the pressure. On such days, our natural tendency might be to do… Continue reading Stop jumping from oasis to oasis.

Don’t despise the small things.

Who [with reason] despises the day of small things? For these seven shall rejoice when they see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel. [These seven] are the eyes of the Lord which run to and fro throughout the whole earth. – Zechariah 4:10, Amplified Bible (AMP) Surrounding our home are literally dozens of oak… Continue reading Don’t despise the small things.

Life is like three dozen apple cider donuts!

Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. – Ephesians 5:16, Amplified Bible (AMP) Every October my family takes a trek to Skytop Apple Orchard in Zirconia, NC, just outside of Flat Rock, NC. We love the scenic drive, we love the fresh apples (Fuji’s are our… Continue reading Life is like three dozen apple cider donuts!