"Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom... Continue Reading →
A Jealous God
“Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another” (Isaiah 48:10-11 ESV). Isaiah 48:10 speaks of a purification, God using... Continue Reading →
The Love of Christ Controls Us!
“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15 ESV). Tuesday we discussed... Continue Reading →
New Year or New Creation?
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Promises
“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV). Christmas time is upon us once again. Homes across the city are decked out with lights, nativity scenes, inflatable Santas, and beautiful Christmas trees. If... Continue Reading →
Wisdom Wednesday: The One Who Pleases Him
“For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God...” (Ecclesiastes 2:26 ESV). We all have days where we recognize that we are not the best version of ourselves.... Continue Reading →
Godly Grief
"For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death" (2 Corinthians 7:10 ESV). As children exploring the boundaries of permissible behaviors we all likely did things that landed us in trouble with our parents or other authority figures (or both!). In fact, we may have done those... Continue Reading →
Secret Sins
“For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence” (Psalms 90:7-8 ESV). I don't watch as much football as I used to. But it is still a regular occurrence to hear the... Continue Reading →
Holiness to Completion
“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV). When someone who is not usually "dressy" dons a suit & tie or a nice dress, we say that they "clean up nice." A shave... Continue Reading →
Come!
"...so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him" (Hebrews 9:28 ESV). It is true! Jesus Is coming again! Jesus came the first time to bring salvation-- the grace that delivered us... Continue Reading →
Skipping Stones 