You are holy, because I am holy. (Leviticus 21:7-8 CEV) While reading the book of Leviticus, I kept coming back to the phrase, “be holy.” This repetition implies that God wanted Israel (and us today) to be totally consecrated to Him. But here’s what I’ve also discovered. While God desires that we be holy, HeContinue reading "Be Holy"
Leave Something for Others
When you harvest your grain, always leave some of it standing along the edges of your fields and don’t pick up what falls on the ground. Don’t strip your grapevines clean or gather the grapes that fall off the vines. Leave them for the poor and for those foreigners who live among you. I amContinue reading "Leave Something for Others"
Give it Back to God
“So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded.” (Exodus 36:1 NIV) I once heard someone say, “Your talent is a gift fromContinue reading "Give it Back to God"
Look Your Best
And the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, because on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.” (Exodus 19:10-11 NIV) When the Israelites were goingContinue reading "Look Your Best"
A Sign of His Presence
The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered. (Genesis 39:2 NIV) The fact that the Lord was with Joseph is mentioned several times in Genesis 39, which more often than not, manifested itself through Joseph’s successful life. Every time the phrase, “the Lord was with Joseph” appears, it’s usually followed by the statement, “soContinue reading "A Sign of His Presence"
Don’t Look Back
As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!” But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:17, 26 NIV) Those who walkContinue reading "Don’t Look Back"
Live the Life
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10 ESV) What is abundant life? Is it an abundance of money, fame and stuff? If so, why have so many wealthy and famous people ended their own lives, and why does Jesus tell us that “life does not consist in an abundanceContinue reading "Live the Life"
A Different Kind of Spirit
But He turned and rebuked them [and He said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”]. (Luke 9:55-56 AMP) The "sons of thunder" didn't get it. James and John walked with Jesus for so long, yetContinue reading "A Different Kind of Spirit"
Shoulder Your Own Pack
Do your own work well, and then you will have something to be proud of. But don’t compare yourself with others. We each must carry our own load. (Galatians 6:4-5 CEV) The J.B. Phillips New Testament version puts it this way, “For every man must “shoulder his own pack.”’ We’re each responsible for carrying ourContinue reading "Shoulder Your Own Pack"
Don’t Settle for Less
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 NIV) So many people have a problem believing this promise from the Bible that they end up settling for less. They settle for just any relationship, job, house, not realizing that there’s something better waitingContinue reading "Don’t Settle for Less"
Rising with the Son 