I ran across a really cool verse in Isaiah this morning: Listen to me, you who know right from wrong, you who cherish my law in your hearts. Do not be afraid of people’s scorn, nor fear their insults. Isaiah…
Practical Ways to Refresh and Encourage Others
This morning, the verse that popped up in my Bible app was “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25). Or perhaps a more literal translation, “The liberal soul shall be made fat; And…
Valuing Obedience
As I was biking down a road last week – one lined by autumn-colored trees and a nice, wide shoulder specifically designed for bicycles – my thoughts turned to obeying God. Not for any specific reason but just because my…
Human Yet Full of Power
It can be tempting to believe that our power in prayer and a relationship with God aren’t up to snuff with those we hear give testimonies of God’s goodness. We don’t see the answer immediately, so we put ourselves in…
Worshiping as Warfare
In Mark 12: 30, Jesus says we should “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” This encompasses much more than just bringing an…
Manipulative Prayers
You and I have been given power from God in the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49, 2 Timothy 1:17, etc.). This is power – there’s no such thing as “good power” or “bad power.” It’s raw power. How it is used…
Pursuing Truth
In our Christian experience today, we’re often told to pursue the truth – to decern the truth from lies. This likely comes from two places: 1) Paul’s admonition to Timothy, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one…
Loving God with the Five Love Languages
Many of you have heard of the “Five Love Languages” – Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Gifts, Physical Touch, and Acts of Service. Most people have one or two primary ways that make us feel loved. For example, you might…
God’s Shield is for Every Day
In the Bible, we often hear God described as a “shield.” For example, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks…
No More Manipulation & Control
It’s been said that manipulating and controlling other people is essentially witchcraft against the person under the control. It’s also been said that manipulation and control is nothing short of cursing the recipient. I know from experience that Christians can…