risingwiththeson

Confess Your Mess

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 NIV) After a discussion on the topic of sin, a student determined that she wasn’t going to sin once she left the classroom. The teacher reminded her that it wouldContinueContinue reading “Confess Your Mess”

Forgive and Forget?

“Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”(Hebrews 10:17 NIV) God says He’ll remember our sins “no more,” which means that God will never use the past against us (Psalm 103:12), not that He’ll forget our sins because God doesn’t forget. Similarly, we can’t forget the wrong that was done to us, evenContinueContinue reading “Forgive and Forget?”

Choose to Forgive

If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?But with you there is forgiveness; so that we can, with reverence, serve you. (Psalm 130:3-4 NIV) One of the many wonderful attributes of God is His forgiveness. He always stands ready to forgive, and He does so freely. The Bible tells us, “asContinueContinue reading “Choose to Forgive”

A True Friend

But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severelyContinueContinue reading “A True Friend”

Restored Relationships

Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, and as he left,ContinueContinue reading “Restored Relationships”

Heart Transplant

I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart. (Jeremiah 24:7 NIV) The Bible has a lot to say about the heart. It seems that this God-given organ playsContinueContinue reading “Heart Transplant”

A Sense of God’s Tenderness

The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV) A while ago, I began to meditate on this verse, which I had often overlooked while reading theContinueContinue reading “A Sense of God’s Tenderness”

He Loves Us Just the Way We Are

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8 NIV) A few years ago, I had a student who I grew to love. At first glance, there was probably not much to love about him. For a four-year-old, he was very tiny, stillContinueContinue reading “He Loves Us Just the Way We Are”

Pour on the Love

Now, regarding the one who started all this—the person in question who caused all this pain… Now is the time to forgive this man and help him back on his feet. If all you do is pour on the guilt, you could very well drown him in it. My counsel now is to pour onContinueContinue reading “Pour on the Love”

Knowledge Without Love

Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. (1 Corinthians 8:1 NLT) I’m an inquisitive person by nature, so when it comes to the Bible, IContinueContinue reading “Knowledge Without Love”