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?

When faced with difficult choices, be sure to fear God rather than man.

…Obey, I beg of you, the voice of the Lord, Who speaks to you through me. Then it will be well with you, and you will live. – Jeremiah 38:20, Amplified Bible (AMP) Why did King Zedekiah choose not to obey God’s warnings? Why did he persist along a path that both Jeremiah and Ezekiel… Continue reading When faced with difficult choices, be sure to fear God rather than man.

Oh, the pain you could avoid if you’d just do things God’s way!

And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes and put out the eyes of Zedekiah and bound him in double fetters [hands and feet] and carried him to Babylon. – 2 Kings 25:7, Amplified Bible (AMP) While visiting my sister and her family for Christmas, I was reclining on a rather comfy couch… Continue reading Oh, the pain you could avoid if you’d just do things God’s way!

Don’t kill a relationship on a whim.

…He was wounded for our transgressions… – Isaiah 53:5, Amplified Bible (AMP) What do we do when someone lies to us, cheats us, or wrongs us in some way? Our natural tendency is to fight back, to defend our honor, and to vindicate ourselves. In addition, we desire to break all ties with that scoundrel… Continue reading Don’t kill a relationship on a whim.

There’s a time to be a leader, and there’s a time not to be a leader.

He must increase, but I must decrease. [He must grow more prominent; I must grow less so.] – John 3:30, Amplified Bible (AMP) Sometimes, you just have to step aside for the good of the team. There are few things more sad in the sporting world than seeing a once-dominant player stay in the game… Continue reading There’s a time to be a leader, and there’s a time not to be a leader.

Don’t lead a pointless life.

For if I [merely] preach the Gospel, that gives me no reason to boast, for I feel compelled of necessity to do it. Woe is me if I do not preach the glad tidings (the Gospel)! – 1 Corinthians 9:16, Amplified Bible (AMP) “When you obey the call of Jesus Christ, the first thing that hits you is the… Continue reading Don’t lead a pointless life.

Beware the trappings of a soup kitchen ministry.

Jesus answered them…you have been searching for Me…because you were fed…and were filled and satisfied. – John 6:26, Amplified Bible (AMP) Nobody knows better than Jesus how effective it can be to reach someone’s soul by first taking care of his/her physical needs. By healing the sick, casting out demons, and feeding the hungry, Chirst opened hearts… Continue reading Beware the trappings of a soup kitchen ministry.

Here’s the final step in the process of making good, Bible-based decisions.

And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds… – Colossians 3:15, Amplified Bible (AMP) You are faced with a decision, and you are at a complete loss as to which path to take.… Continue reading Here’s the final step in the process of making good, Bible-based decisions.

Try not to get cranky when riding in a Winnebago strapped to a rocket.

[Urged on] by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go. – Hebrews 11:8, Amplified Bible (AMP) One of my favorite movie scenes… Continue reading Try not to get cranky when riding in a Winnebago strapped to a rocket.

You are never your own master.

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but…Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. – Romans 6:17-18, Amplified Bible (AMP) One of the most common reasons a person gives for rejecting the Gospel goes something like this: “I don’t want to give up my freedom. I… Continue reading You are never your own master.