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I learned very early in ministry this truth.

What or who you worship will ultimately control you.

Think about it. The things or people that you bow to as important and meaningful shape the way you think, feel and act.

But those things or people don’t always have your best interest at heart.

Only Jesus does. He is the one who loves you and gave himself for you.

And that’s why the Bible tells us to worship Him and him alone.

There are lots of things out there in the world trying to win you over. But as Paul said, for no good.

Your heart belongs to the Lord. Bow to him and trust his love to shape the way you think, feel and act.

This is the only way to experience life to the full.

Categories: Christian Living Faith Hope

Several of my friends in radio advertise a certain brand pillow. It’s the best pillow they’ve ever had. And according to them, they’ve never slept better.

I’ve yet to try it, but listening to them rave about it made me start thinking about spiritual things.

Like where do we find rest for our spiritual minds.

We do get weary and tired. And sometimes overwhelmed with anxieties and concerns.

When we do, we need rest.

It is important to know where to lay our heads to get the rest we need.

Well Jesus said this: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Are you weary and tired today. Come unto Jesus. He will give you the best rest you’ve ever experienced.

Categories: Faith Christian Living

Our kitchen table is square.

When we want to meet as a family, either I or Jeanna will send out the word — meeting at the square tonight.

It’s the place we are most comfortable to talk, to laugh, to plan and to enjoy each other’s company.

The square is our meeting place.

I bet you have a favorite meeting place for your family, and friends.

The same is true for God. In the OT that place was the mercy seat in the temple.

But that was only a shadow of his favorite place

Jesus is the real place of mercy and grace. He is where God and man come together to enjoy one another’s company.

And here’s the best part. Once you have found Jesus, you are always at God’s favorite meeting place.

Categories: Grace

Waiting.

It’s one of the hardest things we humans do.

Partly, because it doesn’t come naturally to us.

We’re just not wired that way.

And on top of that— its hard to wait in this “hurry-up” world in which we live.

It’s instant everything. All happening at the speed of light. So we rush ahead just to keep pace.

But that doesn’t work when it comes to things like maturity, relationships or growing in the Lord.

These things take patience and perseverance — waiting.

But we don’t wait alone. We wait on the Lord.

And in that waiting, we find renewed strength and purpose.

So don’t let the pace of this world keep you from doing the one thing that matters the most — waiting on Christ.

Categories: Christian Living Faith Hope

The greatest of these is love.

This is how Paul concluded the great love chapter.

He is saying that love trumps everything. That it sits alone in the top spot. It is more important than speaking in tongues. Or giving all that you have to the poor, or even having the faith to move mountains.

As impressive as these might be, without love, they are just a bunch of noise makers.

Even compared to faith and hope, love is the greatest.

And John tells us why in his first letter — God is love.

Love is the center of who he is.

Now the world does not know this about God.

Nor did you until you came to know God through new birth.

Now you know that love is the greatest, because God loves you.

Categories: Love Jesus Christ

My friend Bobby says we are living in the recommendation age.

I know I’m more likely to read a book or listen to a particular leader if a trusted friend has encouraged me to do so.

And that holds true when it comes to the more critical areas of life as well.

I think most people feel the same way.

So what does this tell us?

Well I think it tells us this, that we all need help navigating this ever changing, complex world in which we live.

It tells us that we need a shepherd to lead us, someone to trust who can keep us from going astray.

Listen to these wonderful words from Jesus—“I am the good shepherd, The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.”

Jesus is the guardian of your soul.

You can trust whatever he recommends.

Categories: Jesus Christ Christian Living

The conversation started with a simple question.

Will you give me a drink?

It ended with a great many people believing that Jesus was and is the Savior of the world.

What happened?

Jesus met a woman who had a dry, thirsty soul. That’s what happened.

She had been trying to quench that thirst through her many relationships but to no avail.

Of course, Jesus knew what she really needed. So he offered to her that one thing that could truly satisfy and refresh her soul — living water, water that wells up to eternal life. Water that once you drink you will never be thirsty again. Water that you want to give to others.

And she did.

If your soul is thirsty today, ask Jesus and he will give that water.

Categories: Jesus Christ Grace Hope

A number of years ago, I went on a spelunking expedition through Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.

It was quite the experience.

One passageway was so narrow and shallow we literally had to crawl on our bellies to get through it.

At the other end was a huge cavern. And the only light was from the lights on our helmets.

On our guides signal, we all turned our lights off.

It was so dark I could not see my hand in front of my face.

That’s the kind of darkness we lived in before knowing Christ. No wonder we couldn’t find our way.

Here is the good news. Jesus is the light of the world. Whoever follows him will never walk in darkness,

Are you following Jesus? If so you will never walk in darkness again.

Categories: Jesus Christ Hope Grace

Jerusalem was the site of the first Christian debate.

Paul and Barnabas argued that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus.

That was countered by certain believers who said that Gentiles “must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses”.

Peter took a stand — “No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

This wasn’t opinion. He witnessed God’s saving grace for the Jew, the Gentile and the Samaritan.

And his words should have ended the debate forever.

Unfortunately, people are still arguing today that “by grace through faith in Jesus” is not enough. And they are pushing their own set of “must do” requirements.

But don’t listen. the debate has been settled.

You have been saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

Categories: Jesus Christ Grace New Covenant

There is only one message that saves and that is the message concerning Jesus Christ.

Paul was very clear on this. He didn’t use fancy words in his communication.

He simply preached the death, the burial and the resurrection of Jesus.

Add to this message or take away from it and you have emptied it of its power.

That’s what the Corinthians did.

And it caused all kinds of confusion within the church.

Sadly, the same is happening today.

There is nothing you can add to the Gospel that will make it more powerful or valuable.

Think about it. Is there anything you could add to his death that would make you more forgiven or add to his resurrection that would make you more alive in him?

So Let me encourage you today to Stand firm in the message concerning Jesus. And don’t let anyone tell you that Jesus is not enough.

Categories: Jesus Christ Grace New Covenant