Posts Tagged ‘Engaged’
The Brevity of Life
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (NIV) I don’t know who coined the phrase “The length of our lives is represented by a dash between two dates,” but it is undoubtedly a concise way of stating what most people sense, especially as they get older,…
Read MoreSwim in the River of God
He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross. He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?” Then he led me back to the bank of the river.…
Read MoreFeed My Lambs
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” John 21:15 (NIV) I could not believe what I was hearing; a pastor was telling, perhaps even bragging, that…
Read MoreFour Words
“In the Beginning God…” Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God” may be the four most important words in the Bible. This is the introduction for everything else that is to follow. If we do not understand it correctly, all conclusions regarding life, meaning, and purpose will be flawed. If you start in the wrong place,…
Read MoreA Time for Careful Consideration
This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. Haggai 1:7 (NIV) Once again, we find ourselves on the threshold of a new year. Traditionally, it is a time for making resolutions. Many of those resolutions will be cast aside by the middle of January. As I have previously written[1], I…
Read MoreThis Little Light of Mine
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:5 (NLT) In 1907, Wesleyan preacher William Watkinson published a sermon, “The Invincible Strategy.” He made the point that “evil is not overcome by denunciation.” He said that although it is easier to speak against evil than to engage in good…
Read MoreHow Is Your Risk Aversion?
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV) Risk aversion is the term most frequently associated with finances and investing. According to the website Investopedia, “The term risk-averse describes the investor…
Read MoreRemembering Winston Mattsson-Boze
On Friday, November 26, we received a message that Winston Mattsson-Boze had been called home to be with the Lord. It was shocking because, as far as we knew, he was in good health and active. He and Ingrid were visiting family in North Carolina at the time of his passing. Would you please pray…
Read MoreGod is Good…All the Time
We often hear the declaration: “God is good.” It is easy to say it, but at times, if we are honest with ourselves and others, we may not be as sure, particularly when things are not going our way. For our words to have any meaning, we must live our lives in such a way…
Read MoreDare to Be Vulnerable
Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you. There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us. I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us! 2 Corinthians 6:11–13…
Read MoreThe Importance of Sound Doctrine
“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 1:13 (NIV) Many Christians believe that sound doctrine or teaching is essential, but they do not always know why it is crucial. Sound doctrine is not an end in itself, but instead, it serves…
Read MoreWhere Should I Be?
It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8 (NLT) in reality, it is a simple question. How do we decide what to do and where to…
Read MoreA Smooth Path or a Road of Opportunity?
I listened as a friend offered a prayer for an acquaintance who was traveling. They prayed for smooth flights, easy connections, and no interruptions. I have also heard prayers before a church service, asking that everything go according to plan, smoothly and again with no interruptions. On the surface, these seem like very usual, even…
Read MoreWhat About My Rights?
In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5 (NCV) Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 1 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV) The subject of individual rights is a hot topic right now. Perhaps it has always been, at least in…
Read MoreHelp is on the Way
“I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 (NLT) I have belonged to the Auto Club for many years. Occasionally, we have gone long periods of time without needing assistance, but when something does break, or we run out of gas, it is comforting to…
Read MoreDo Not Ignore Warning Lights
Examine me, O Lord, and test me! Evaluate my inner thoughts and motives! Psalm 26:2 (NET) Just Because It Seems to Be Working, It Doesn’t Mean That Everything Is All Right Many of us have had the unpleasant experience of driving in our car when we notice that the Check Engine light has come on.…
Read More“Who Cares” or “Who Cares?”
When the phrase “who cares” is used, it may either be a statement of indifference or a question inquiring if anyone is concerned. There are times when a statement of indifference is perfectly acceptable because there are so many things of so little consequence, but when it concerns our attitudes toward people, indifference must never…
Read MoreMotivated By Love
They are motivated by love, because they know that I’m put here to give a defense of the gospel; the others preach Christ because of their selfish ambition. Philippians 1:16–17 (CEB) Motives are problematic. They can lead someone to do the right thing for the wrong reason, but they can also result in doing the…
Read MoreFaith to Move Mountains, Or…
Jesus told his disciples, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 (NIV). Do we think of mountains as obstacles that stand in our way? Or…
Read MoreWhat Do We Know?
We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. 1 John 5:20 (NIV) Are you familiar with the expression, “What you don’t know can’t hurt you?” While there may be circumstances where this maxim is proven true, often, it is…
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