I’m just saying what I feel
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up. – Ephesians 4:29a Unwholesome talk and authenticity usually go hand in hand. “I’m just saying what I feel,” is the excuse we make to use words as battering rams against others. But authenticity and unwholesome […]
You struggle by choosing
Till I die I will not deny my integrity. – Job 27:5b What’s more important, who you are or what you do? All around us, people are far more concerned with what they do. It doesn’t matter how you do it, just get it done. Maybe you find yourself in this situation on a daily […]
A spiritual battle every day
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can stand against the devil’s schemes. – Ephesians 6:11 Movies about battle capture our attention; it looks exciting and tough. But watching and actually going into a battle are two different things. When we watch the movie, we can picture ourselves reacting and responding to […]
You cannot follow Jesus
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. – 1 Corinthians 11:1 The example that Christ gives us is not an easy one to follow. We have to choose it every day. Here’s the deal, there are people in your life who look to you to set the standard for how to live; […]
We can rest in the truth
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12 High octane jet fuel. We aren’t talking about the cheap stuff. The Word of God fuels us like […]
Confession is like peroxide
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. – James 5:16 Confession is like peroxide on a skinned knee. It’s not going to feel good, but it brings about healing. It removes the infection of […]
Where some accept Him
Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. – Matthew 10:32 This verse is an excerpt where Jesus gives his disciples a sobering set of instructions as he sends them out for ministry. He paints a picture of a world where some will accept Him and others will resist […]
God is honored in the process
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. – Colossians 3:23 Who doesn’t like shortcuts? Just like the physical universe we tend to follow the path of least resistance. This can lead to incomplete projects and downright laziness. We need to man up and […]
God doesn’t move on
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. – Deuteronomy 6:5 You can’t love someone without first letting them in, all the way. Too often we keep people at arm’s length as a way to protect ourselves from pain and disappointment. “If they really […]
Courage in the fog of uncertainty
Be strong in The Lord and the power of his might. – Ephesians 6:10 Courage is alive within the fog of uncertainty. It takes a lot of courage to confess. To stand up for others. You could lose. You could fail. You could be ignored. Rejected. Abandoned. It takes courage to trust God. To be […]