June 28th, 2009
Last week I wrote about some of the distorted images that people have of God. Today I’d like to share a story that gives us a glimpse of His loving, sacrificial nature.
After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church’s pastor slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit, and before he gave his sermon for the evening, briefly introduced a guest minister who was in the service that evening.
In the introduction, the pastor told the congregation that the guest minister was one of his dearest childhood friends and that he wanted him to have a few moments to greet the church and to share whatever he felt would be appropriate for the service.
June 22nd, 2009
“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. For this reason the gravest question before the Church is always God Himself, and the most portentous fact about any man is not what he at a given time may say or do, but what he in his deep heart conceives God to be like,” (A. W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy)
June 14th, 2009
There seems to be some debate among theologians—Do I hear God best when I rest quietly and meditate on His Word listening to His still small voice? Or do I find and know Him best when I am actively laboring to carry out His direction?
All my life, I’ve been taught that the way to know God is to spend quiet time with Him. Robert D. Foster, contemporary Bible teacher, sums up the thoughts of many scholars with these thoughts: “Call it what you want—the quiet time, personal devotions, the morning watch, or individual worship—these holy minutes at the start of each day explain the inner secret of Christianity . . . Every man who ever became somebody for God has this at the core of his priorities: time alone with God.”
June 7th, 2009
June 2, was my birthday, but there was no cake, no song, and no gifts. It was simply a day of quiet reflection as I remembered that warm spring evening so many years ago when I gave my heart to Christ and was born into God’s family. Though I was only a child, my decision was genuine and sincere.
You see, even at that young age, I realized that I was a sinner and there was nothing I could do to save myself from eternal punishment. Only as I trusted Christ’s death on the cross to be the payment for my sin could I be made clean, righteous, and ready to enter God’s holy Heaven. So I stepped out in faith, confessed my sin, asked Him to forgive me, and to come into my life as my Savior. And He did! In that moment I was born into God’s family, and I received the promise and presence of the ever-abiding Holy Spirit.
May 31st, 2009
Godliness means doing things God’s way; living a godly life simply means to live rightly. It’s really not that hard and it’s definitely not complicated. I just determine in in my heart and mind that I will do what I know to be right. How can you know what’s right? Read the Word of God. It gives me clear direction concerning my attitudes, my actions and my appearance.
May 24th, 2009
There they are, laying neatly on the counter–two life insurance polices waiting to be delivered. In the next few days, my husband will take them to those who purchased them, and the individuals will rest a bit easier knowing that when they die, their loved ones will be cared for. These folks are preparing for the future by the choices they make today.
May 17th, 2009
Wow! I can’t believe how fast things are growing! It seems like overnight the plants in the garden came up another couple of inches. With recent rains, warm temperatures, and then an abundance of sunshine, the conditions were just right. They just can’t do anything but grow!
In your spiritual life the same principle is true—when the conditions are right, growth will just naturally take place. Start with a fertile heart that is open to receive God’s Word. Daily soak in the water of His promises, His direction and His teaching as you read and study the Bible.
May 10th, 2009
On this Mother’s Day, I’m thinking a lot about three special mothers and the gift that each one brings to my life. I’m a very blessed lady!
First is my own godly mother. Although she’s now with the Lord, every day I think of her and am reminded of the gift of faith that she gave me. As far back as I can remember, her Bible stood on her night stand and she opened it every day as long as she was able. Her faith wasn’t limited to Sundays or difficult situations, it was alive and relevant to every situation she faced.
May 3rd, 2009
As I look around me today, I see that I am blessed, yet I am keenly aware that any and all of my blessings could be taken from me at any moment. I’m reminded of a dear friend whose recent diagnosis of MS robs her of hopes and dreams for the future. And I see another friend swirling in the aftermath of losing a job of nearly 30 years. Recently I sat with a lady whose son was killed in an accident. Her heartbreak and loss continue day after day and hour after hour. The truth is that all we have is not ours, but belongs to God, and we must live with open hands, ready to hand to Him anything and everything we possess at any time.
April 26th, 2009
There they were, six of them to be exact, three boys and three girls running, laughing, chasing one another. It was the first time I’d seen them in all these years of parking in this same spot, but definitely not the first time they were there. Their comfort and familiarity with one another and in that place was obvious. I sat a few moments reveling in the joy of their childish play. White puffy clouds drifted through the blue sky as the sunshine enveloped the happy children as they played in their babysitter’s lush backyard on that wonderful afternoon. It was a perfect moment.
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