In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem of Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, his wife, and his two sons. – Ruth 1:1, Amplified Bible When things get tough, it is very tempting to bail out of our… Continue reading Be careful about thinking the grass is always greener on the other side.
Category: Righteousness
Sometimes you just have to put on the other guy’s shoes.
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. – 2 Corinthians 5:21, King James Version (KJV) Our church utilizes a program called Kids4Truth for our Wednesday night children’s ministry. The following story comes from one of their outstanding… Continue reading Sometimes you just have to put on the other guy’s shoes.
When you are coming down from the mountaintop, be ready for a fight.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities… – 2 Corinthians 12:10, King James Version (KJV) My friend Mike recently became an ordained minister. Within days, the joy of this milestone was overcome by fear and struggle. With no warning, Mike began suffering from high blood pressure and chest pains, causing his doctor to put him on… Continue reading When you are coming down from the mountaintop, be ready for a fight.
I’ll bet you didn’t know that love is the key to great decision making.
And this I pray: that your love may abound… So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital… and of real value… – Philippians 1:9-10, Amplified Bible (AMP) To make good decisions, we need discernment. “Discernment” is defined by Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary as “the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure.” The word “obscure” means: 1 : shrouded in… Continue reading I’ll bet you didn’t know that love is the key to great decision making.
A little imagination now will make the day of judgment a little easier on you.
For we must all appear and be revealed as we are before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive [his pay] according to what he has done in the body, whether good or evil [considering what his purpose and motive have been, and what he has achieved, been busy with, and given himself and his… Continue reading A little imagination now will make the day of judgment a little easier on you.
This is one of the hardest prayers you’ll ever pray.
Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me… – Psalm 139:23-24, AMP One sign of a dedicated Christian is that the Christian will not hesitate to pray Psalm 139:23-24. To pray Psalm 139:23-24, and to mean it, is… Continue reading This is one of the hardest prayers you’ll ever pray.
God will give you the power to overcome at just the right time – if you ask.
For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot perform it. [I have the intention and urge to do what is right, but no power to carry it out.] – Romans 7:18, AMP It is at the moment of temptation that… Continue reading God will give you the power to overcome at just the right time – if you ask.
Where do you go when you really, really mess up?
Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. – Psalm 51:2, KJV When we sin terribly, we can do so many different things in reaction to our stupidity. We can ignore the guilt, choose to pursue the sin’s pleasure again and again, and beat down our conscience until it is impossible… Continue reading Where do you go when you really, really mess up?
Let God help you with your spiritual insurance policy.
Put on God’s whole armor… – Ephesians 6:11, AMP This world is not safe. It is filled with risk, and that is why we buy insurance of all types. We buy life insurance to financially support our families in case we die prematurely. We buy health insurance to pay for treating illnesses that are too costly… Continue reading Let God help you with your spiritual insurance policy.
God is merciful and slow to punish, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that you are getting away with anything.
Are you unmindful or actually ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repent (to change your mind and inner man to accept God’s will)? – Romans 2:4, AMP When we sin and “get away with it,” we can come to the false conclusion that God doesn’t really mind that we are doing… Continue reading God is merciful and slow to punish, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that you are getting away with anything.