Just a Minute!

What makes you different, or distinct?

Yes, you are unique, a one of a kind.

But what makes you distinct as a Christian?

Are you different because you pray, or read the bible or give your money?

Are you different because you try to follow the ten commandments?

What is it that distinguishes you as a believer in Christ.

Moses knew the answer.

And it wasn’t the law that set the people of Israel apart.

It was this one simple truth.

God’s presence.

As Moses said, “what else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

The same is true for you. You’re distinct because Christ lives in you and fills your life with grace and truth.

And that’s good news!

Categories: Identity/Self Image Jesus Christ Holy Spirit

Here is one of the most encouraging promises in the Bible.

My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.

Now God gave this promise to Moses at a time when he needed a heavy dose of hope and a fresh supply of courage.

While he was on top of Mt Sinai meeting with God, the people were down below fashioning a golden calf.

When Moses saw what was happening he became so angry he broke the tablets of stone.

It left him wondering if he still had God’s favor.

Maybe you’ve felt that way.

Here is the good news believer. Jesus Christ is always with you, living inside of you and walking with you every step of your journey.

It’s a reality that will bring rest to your heart and courage to your soul.

Categories: Hope Holy Spirit Jesus Christ

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

That’s what the Bible says.

Now you may be thinking, “I wish that verse described my prayer life.” Well it can.

Just look at Elijah. He was human. Yet when he prayed for the stop, it did for three and a half years. And then when he prayed for rain, the rain poured down and the earth produced crops.

Well how did that happen?

Because Elijah simply prayed God’s Word.

You see, God was the one who said he would dry up the skies if the people rebelled. And that he would open the heavens if they returned to him

It’s His Word that is powerful and effective.

So if you want you prayers to be powerful and effective, let the Word of God shape what you ask for.

That’s the prayer of a righteous person.

Categories: Prayer God's Will Righteousness/Justification

Tragically, many people are confused about how prayer works.

Maybe you can identify with this person’s question.

I don’t understand why some people think that when they pray for something and get it, it was because of their faith. And when they don’t get what they prayed for it was because of their lack of faith.

Well this is the most common misconception about prayer… that if you have enough faith you’ll get anything you want from God.

Well prayer is not a magic wand or a quick fix, it’s merely a conversation with God.

So talk to him. Tell him about your fears, your pains, your desires, and dreams. And then trust him to answer according to his will and plan for your life.

This is the kind of prayer that will help you experience the peace of God that passes understanding.

Categories: Prayer God's Will Christian Living

Does God answer prayer?

Sometimes you wonder, right?

Well, let me encourage you with this promise from 1 John 5:14 & 15:

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him."

Well if you’re asking according to his will you can count on the fact that he hears you.

Think about that. God, the one who spoke the world into existence, hears your prayers.

And here’s the best part, you know you have what you asked of him.

So dig into the Word. Trust the Spirit to teach you God’s will, and then pray with confidence knowing God hears and answers.

Categories: Prayer God's Will

God is your heavenly Father. And that changes everything about prayer.

First it makes your prayer more personal. You’re praying to someone you really know and to someone who really knows you.

So you don’t have to be like those hypocrites who pray just to be noticed on to look more spiritual. You can simply share an intimate conversation with your heavenly Father.

And second, you know he cares about you. He is interested in every detail of your life and already has his ear turned your way.

That means you don’t have to beg and plead like the pagans do just to get him to listen. He’s so interested in you, he already knows what you need even before you ask him.

So when you pray, you are praying to the one who loves and cares for you most.

Categories: Prayer Christian Living

Prayer is simple part of being human. Think about it. In times of trouble you cry out to God. When life is good you thank him for the many blessings.

And this is true for people from every walk of life and every belief system. Everyone prays.

So as far as the Bible is concerned it’s not a matter of if you pray, it’s when you pray.

And when you pray as a believer you pray to your heavenly Father. This is what makes your prayer so radically different.

And you know him as such because you have been born of God and by his spirit you cry out “Abba, Father”.

And crying out to God was your Father changes everything about prayer.

Categories: Prayer Christian Living

The love of money is the root of all evil.

Now money itself is not evil. It is neither good nor bad.

It’s just one of those essentials everyone needs to function in everyday life.

But the world tells you that money is the means to happiness and success, and the more you have the happier you will be.

And its intent in feeding you that line is to plant the love of money in your heart, so that it can trap you with its temptations.

Now that’s not what God has in mind for you.

As Jesus said, he came that you might have life and have it abundantly.

So take hold of this life. There you’ll find your highest success and deepest joy.

Categories: Salvation Love Money/Giving

The center of God’s will.

That’s the place for you.

The world may look exciting and thrilling, but it has nothing that can satisfy your soul or put contentment in your heart.

Absolutely nothing!

Tom Brady said this: “I’ve won three super bowls. It’s great and awesome to have these three rings, to have the accolades, to have the popularity. But you know, there is still something missing.”

The rings, the accolades, and the popularity weren’t enough for Tom Brady. They won’t be enough for you either.

There is only one person who can satisfy your soul, and His name is Jesus.

He is the center of God’s will. And it’s in him that your heart will find its greatest contentment and deepest joy.

Categories: God's Will Grace Love

Let me tell you about Trixie.

She was the cutest puppy in the world.

We adopted her as a birthday present for our youngest daughter McKenzie.

And the look on her face when she first saw Trixie was priceless.

But something happened. In spite of our best efforts to train her, she started biting and attacking us.

We tried everything, but nothing worked. When she bloodied Mckenzie’s grandmother, we knew we couldn’t keep her.

Our cute, cuddly puppy, became a nightmare.

It’s the same with sin. It looks good, warm and inviting. But keep playing with it and sin will tear you apart.

So don’t be deceived by the temptations of the world no matter how good they look. They will never give you what you already have in Jesus Christ.

Categories: Sin New Covenant Jesus Christ