I’m okay, we often tell ourselves, but are we? We tend to put on a fake facade when we come to church because we don’t want people to see who we really are. After all, we have a reputation to uphold. We want others to see us as being all put together, a perfectly wrapped package with a beautifully tied bow. Inside, however, we are lying to ourselves and to others. Nor are we being truthful with God about our struggles. We’re not telling God that we’re hurting, struggling, and that the battle we’re fighting is becoming too much for…
Second Timothy 3:16 tells us all scripture is “God-breathed.” The Greek word in this passage is theopneustos. It is the living, breathing, active Word of God that brings life and truth to all those who read it. When you open your Bible, you’re not reading words meant only for an ancient civilization. You are actively becoming part of a never-ending story that God began long before you came into existence. There is incredible power when you take those words, spoken and inspired by God over thousands of years, and repeat them back to Him in prayer. You pray not your own thoughts, priorities, and desires, but you become an active participant in bringing God’s plan and kingdom to earth. So many times, we look at prayer as something separate from reading the Bible. It’s something we do before or after we read His Word. But what if instead, we look at them together and consider prayer as an extension of our Bible reading? As we study the Word of God, it reveals His heart to us. The things that He cares about, the things that move Him, should also be what move us when we know His heart. Often, our…
“If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you,” John 14:15-18 Sometimes I find myself trying to figure out how the Lord can be everywhere at once. With the millions of people in this world, it is hard to understand how I can feel Him here with me. But I have the promise of Hebrews 13:5 “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Have you ever awakened in the night feeling cold? You reach for the blanket or comforter at the foot of your bed and wrap it tightly around you. Soon, you feel warm and cozy and can go back to sleep. For the past few years, I have lived alone. Yet I do not feel lonely. It is hard to explain, but I sense the presence of the Lord with me. As I go about my work…
“But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:3-4 The last post was about letting the Holy Spirit guide us in our giving. I received a comment with the question: “How do you see that playing out in everyday life?” So, I will try to answer that question in today’s article. I want to emphasize that we are all different and have different incomes and obligations in our lives. God does not…
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:38 At our Seniors’ Fellowship a few months ago, the subject of using cash arose. Most people said they did not carry cash. They rely on credit cards or online banking to pay bills and buy supplies. I asked them what they did when the Holy Spirit prompted them to give money to someone. One replied that they would go to the ATM and take out some cash. But that is not always possible. Each month when my pensions are deposited in my account, my first step is to pay my tithes and offerings to the church. I pay my rent and other monthly bills. Then I ask the Lord, “To whom can I be a blessing this month?” Then I go to the Bank and withdraw some cash. I am thankful for the way God has blessed me abundantly with everything that I need. And I want to share what I can with others. It seems the more I…
“When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. Psalm 27:8 I like how the NLT phrases Psalm 27:8 – “My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with Me’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’” David loved the Lord and desired to please Him. But like you and me, he was human and made mistakes. Daily prayer was important in His life. Ways That David Approached the Lord in Prayer Adoration – Psalm 145:1-3 “I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.” Confession – Psalm 51:1-3 “ Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before ” Thanksgiving – Psalm 30:1-2 “A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David. I will…