“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:1-2 ESV). I have made considerable strides in the development of self-discipline. I'm not where I... Continue Reading →
Shedding Your Blood
"In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood" (Hebrews 12:4, ESV). If there is one verse in the Bible that haunts me, one verse that can keep me awake at night, Hebrews 12:4 is that verse. Whether walking in my legalist phase, living in the “freedom of... Continue Reading →
The Devil You Know
“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil... Continue Reading →
A Fresh Look At Surrender
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are... Continue Reading →
A Resolution for a Mindful Disciple
“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.... Continue Reading →
Times of Refreshing
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19-20a ESV). The hike had been arduous, up and down hills, through dense underbrush. It was unseasonably warm and I had a fair bit of gear strapped to my back.... Continue Reading →
Save Your Life?
“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.’” (Matthew 16:24-25, ESV) I’m spoiled rotten. I live in a country where I... Continue Reading →
No Regrets
“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10, ESV). I cannot tell a lie, I have some regrets in life. I regret not going on to seminary when I finished my Bachelor’s degree. I regret many poor financial decisions that I made early... Continue Reading →
Wisdom Wednesday: Teach Me, Lead Me
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground” (Psalms 143:10 ESV)! When we were children we were sponges! We were constantly watching and listening, mimicking and parroting. We soaked up EVERYTHING! And we were so eager to learn more. And in the manner... Continue Reading →
Wisdom Wednesday: Teach Me, Lead Me
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground” (Psalms 143:10 ESV)! When we were children we were sponges! We were constantly watching and listening, mimicking and parroting. We soaked up EVERYTHING! And we were so eager to learn more. And in the manner... Continue Reading →
Skipping Stones 