Ever notice how many things we put off until “someday?”  “Someday, I’ll get in shape.”  “Someday, I’ll organize the garage.”  “Someday, I’ll spend more time with the kids.”  And the list goes on… If we are not careful, we live our lives in the SOMEDAY mode and never enjoy the present. The Bible speaks of […]

It is never easy. If it were easy, then the motivation, the effort, or the reward would be minimal.  But that is not the case in serving the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:1–7 (ESV) — 1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you […]

The words of the title are an adjusted old proverb but as true today as it ever has been. So much so, that it is appropriate to begin the year with a quip to encourage you not to play the “blame or excuse game.” Ever notice how everyone is quick to blame and/or make excuses? […]

For many people, the prospects of a new year being as challenging as this past year is upsetting. In fact, even some people who profess knowing God and following the Lord Jesus Christ are often found expressing more doubts and fears than hope and encouragement. The Bible is filled with answers to many examples of such a dilemma. The book of Isaiah is a good example. Look […]

Is there a consistency of what you are portraying on Sunday mornings with what happens in your life the rest of the week? A pastor voiced concern recently about some of the people who sing on stage on the Lord’s Day and their Facebook posts through the week. The old saying that what you are […]

Proverbs 2:6–8 (ESV) — 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 8 guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. Have you ever asked, “Where’s […]

Seeking to find God’s will in any given situation is not meant to be as much a mystery as people make it out to be. The journey does begin with a spirit of humility.  King Jehoshaphat expressed humility when the country was surrounded by enemies, so the king called for a nationwide time of fasting […]

Knowing that God is omniscient (all knowing), may go over our heads until we stop and think about it as it concerns us and our activities. We cannot hide from God! And that means we cannot hide anything from God. Psalm 139:1–4 (ESV) — 1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 2 […]

Like most spiritual applications to life, we almost always need to think in terms of the opposite of how things are naturally. If we want to mature, we need to be more and more dependent upon God. The way up in life is by humbling ourselves or bowing down to God. The way to find […]

Several years ago, with the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, stories of Martin Luther really surfaced.  My favorite story includes his response to the demand to recant his writings and his stance to which he is said to reply, “here I stand and can do no other.” Where did Martin Luther get such courage? The […]