Jul 31
“I pray that you will be active in sharing what you believe. Then you will completely understand every good thing we have in Christ” Philemon 6 (New International Reader’s Version) It is so good to get biblical/spiritual input to help us grow and develop in our relationship with God. But sharing what we believe or […]
Jul 30
“Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant” Matthew 20:26 (New Living Translation) Many times in the bible we read things that seem to contradict our cultural mindset. I call it “upside-down thinking”. To live we need to die (to self), to gain we need to give, and in this verse, […]
Jul 29
“What good will it be for someone if they gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” Matthew 16:26 (NIV) Jesus loved to ask questions to make His disciples think. This question is a classic. He seems to be telling us to check our goals. Make sure our efforts aren’t just for selfish gain. When […]
Jul 28
Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” Matthew 14:27 (NIV) The disciples were in a boat at the darkest hour of the night. They saw someone walking on the water toward them and were terrified. Back then people thought a ‘ghost of death’ came to them like this. Needless […]
Jul 27
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28 (NIV) Ever get to the point where it is difficult finding time to read your growing “to do” list let alone actually having time “to do” it? Add to that a crisis or two. Then possibly a […]
Jul 26
“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” Matthew 10:39 (NIV) It’s easy to be tempted to go through life competing with everyone around us, trying to ‘find’ ourselves. When we see someone who’s more talented, better looking or has more gifts, oftentimes we feel […]
Jul 24
On June 4th 2010, the nation mourned the death of legendary UCLA Bruins coach John Wooden, a man revered as much for his off-court character as his on-court genius. On the court, Wooden’s exploits were unmatched. His teams captured seven straight titles, won 88 consecutive games, and had a perfect 10-0 record in championship contests. […]
Jul 23
“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” Matthew 7:24 (NIV) ‘The rock’ Jesus is talking about is found deep in the ground. He is saying to dig down through the looser terrain and build the house up from […]
Jul 22
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate that leads to destruction, and many enter through it” Matthew 7:13 (NIV) Jesus is continuing to teach His most famous sermon that started in Matthew 5. Growing up my kids knew that the argument to get permission to do something could not include the phrase, […]
Jul 21
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31, NIV) Do you need your strength renewed today? The scripture tells us that when we hope in the Lord, that’s exactly […]