“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32 NIV) Jesus knew that Simon wasn’t as strong as he claimed to be (is it any wonder then why Jesus doesn’t referContinueContinue reading “Strengthen the Others”
Category Archives: Discipleship
Always a Finisher
After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave upContinueContinue reading “Always a Finisher”
We’re in This Together
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1 NIV) There’s a saying that came to define our common situation during the pandemic: “We’re in this together.” It’s human nature to find comfort in unity. Knowing that we’re not alone does make us feel a little better. But there’s also powerContinueContinue reading “We’re in This Together”
Love for All
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35 NIV) I admired many things about my grandmother, especially her ability to love everyone. When close friends, who had never met her, came to pay their respects after her funeral and saw the slideshow of her beautiful life,ContinueContinue reading “Love for All”
More Than Royalty and Romance
“Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14 NLT) God had greater things in mind for Esther than just royalty and romance. He used her to save the lives of her Jewish people when she realized her purpose in life. We find a similar pattern inContinueContinue reading “More Than Royalty and Romance”
Forgiveness is the Power of Love!
While waiting for the traffic light to change, I couldn’t help but notice the following message on the rear window of the car across from us: “Forgiveness is the power of love!” It was a simple yet awesome reminder not only of the power of God’s love for us that manifests itself through His forgiveness,ContinueContinue reading “Forgiveness is the Power of Love!”
Excuse Me for the Inconvenience
A few days later Felix and his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish, sent for Paul and listened to him talk about a life of believing in Jesus Christ. As Paul continued to insist on right relations with God and his people, about a life of moral discipline and the coming Judgment, Felix felt things gettingContinueContinue reading “Excuse Me for the Inconvenience”
No Compromise
Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not fromContinueContinue reading “No Compromise”
Do You Understand What You’re Reading?
Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him. (Acts 8:30-31 NLT) When a family member started to readContinueContinue reading “Do You Understand What You’re Reading?”
Not of the World
I have told them your message. But the people of this world hate them, because they don’t belong to this world, just as I don’t… They don’t belong to this world, and neither do I. (John 17:14, 16 CEV) Twice in His prayer, Jesus emphasizes the fact that His followers “don’t belong to this world,”ContinueContinue reading “Not of the World”
Rising with the Son 