Category: Christian Living

I Don’t Like to Suffer

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I don’t think any of us likes suffering – of any kind.  The reality is that suffering happens.  The Bible reminds us that it will. While suffering is not what we want, God uses it to shape and mold His people (James 1).  The pain of the suffering is worth knowing what will come from it.

It doesn’t matter how great the pressure is. What really matters is where the pressure lies – whether it comes between you and God, or whether it presses you nearer His heart. 

-Hudson Taylor

I have learned to kiss the waves that throw me against the Rock of Ages. 

-Charles Spurgeon

God has a purpose and never makes a mistake.  We will survive the suffering in this life for a greater purpose in the next.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for having a purpose for me in suffering.  Please give the strength to endure and encourage others in their own troubles.

I pray this in Jesus’ Name.

God is so good.

Control or Not

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In a world that seems out of control, we need to understand what we do have control over and what we don’t.  We do have the ability to make many choices and we need to take responsibility for our decisions.  We do not have control over other people’s decisions. 

Ultimately, God is in control.  We have choices, but God determines where we go. This is a huge relief.  The burden of taking responsibility that is not our own is heavy…a weight we were never meant to bear. 

In the midst of chaos, remember the God of the Bible IS in control.  He allows bad things, but He has a purpose.  God wants to draw people to Himself.  Unfortunately, as stubborn as most of us are it takes a lot to get our attention.  God uses many tools to teach us the gospel. 

The gospel simply tells us that we are sinners and Jesus died, was buried and rose again to pay the penalty for that sin.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for having purpose in the chaos we see.  Thank You for sending Jesus to pay the penalty.  Please help me to share the truth of Your word with others.  We all need more of You.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

What is Right?

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My church started a new Bible study in Judges on Wednesday evening.  I can find many correlations between the world then and now.  We read that, “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes,” (Judges 17:6; 21:25).  The same is going on in our world today.  The only remedy is to find a proper foundation.  The Bible tell us that people are sinful.  It isn’t hard to believe that when we look at what we see.  Unfortunately, we find it much easier to look at someone else through our own viewpoint to see their flaws instead of looking for our own.  If we were to work on our own flaws first, we might see a change for the better in society.  The only way to do that is to have a proper foundation.

God’s way is perfect.  The God of the Bible, not the gods so many have made up. The verse today reminds us that God’s word has been proven to be true.  Too many don’t want to believe in God without verifying what He has done.  God is faithful, good, true, perfect.  All good character traits when we see them correctly. 

I continue to pray that those who know God through Jesus Christ remember to seek God’s way.  I pray for those who don’t know God to learn Who He truly is.  He is worthy and worth it.

Dear Heavenly Father, please guide us to Your way.  Thank You for the truth and perfection of Your way.  Please help me to share Your truth often. 

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

What Will This Year Be Like?

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Happy 2021, my friends!  While I don’t really feel sorrow at the end of 2020, I don’t want to pretend that this year will be all smiles and happiness.  While I am praying for a great year, I know there will be challenges ahead. 

Whether this year is better than last year or not, God is still good.  I plan on focusing on the gospel in my writing for 2021.  The gospel is our only hope for a positive future.  The beauty is that we have hope for now, but also a hope for all eternity. 

I have shared many times that the book of Romans in the Bible tells us that we are all sinners and that brings eternal punishment.  Jesus Christ came to die on the cross to save us from the penalty of our sin. 

Friend, if you do not know about the gospel and the joy it brings please do not wait. Find out today.  If you do already know the joy of knowing Jesus Christ, remember that no matter what this year brings the gospel provides security. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending so many reminders of the gospel.  Thank You for letting me learn this at an early age and keeping me through my life. Please help me to share the gospel often.  I want others to know the security and joy of a relationship with Your son, Jesus Christ. 

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Christmas Truth

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I fear the concept of truth has been taking hits for many years.  We confuse opinion with truth.  We have to form opinions – it is in our nature, but I think we need to be careful about the basis for our opinions. 

One thing I know for sure is that Jesus, Who is God, came to earth to be born as a baby.  He grew up to die to save us from our sins.  Many in the world today do not know the truth of Jesus. This has caused us to be at war with each other.  If we were to focus on and cling to Jesus Christ, we could stop the warring.  Jesus is the only way to peace.

I enjoy Christmas songs that remind us of this truth.  One is the song “Glorious Light” by Keith & Kristyn Getty and Ian Hannah. 

Glorious light! see the dawn of Salvation:
Angels in white fill the skies with their wondrous song;
Awakening earth with news of His birth;
Join the hymn of the highest heavens!

Long has the world fought the song of the angels.
Heavenly music is drowned by a warring world;
Yet hope burns a light, that shatters the night;
Turn your heart to the call of glory!

Glory to God in the highest!
Peace to men on earth.
Come and adore Him with wonder –
Christ Lord of Heaven and earth.

Keith & Kristyn Getty and Ian Hannah

As I have said before, I pray you know Jesus.  He is the only way to have peace and joy.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus. Thank You for the beautiful music many have written about Your Son.  Please open eyes to the truth of Who Jesus truly is.  Please help me to be an instrument of that truth.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Christmas Humility

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Humility is a concept that is often considered distasteful in our society today.  I think we decide as long as we don’t have extreme arrogance, we aren’t so bad.  However, as a child of God, my example of Jesus Christ shows a much deeper kind of humility.  Although He is God, He chose to be born as a baby.  Then He grew up to be a servant – willing to die.  This isn’t the glorious story we tend to like.  Humility is grueling work.  I believe this hard work is worth it.  Jesus is worthy of my allegiance.  Humility is following His example. 

This Christmas, I hope you will look at the example of Jesus Christ.  His way is the only way to find peace and joy during tough times and good ones.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the truth of Jesus coming to be born as a baby.  Thank You for His example of humility.  Please help me to learn humility and live that example to all who see my life.  May they see You in my life.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Christmas Opinion

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There can be no surprise that opinions abound regarding Christmas, just as they do with most things.  As I have stated many times in my writing, I believe in the Bible as a solid foundation.  The Bible tells us the origins of Christmas.  The real deal – not something made up.  I know not everyone believes the Bible, but I have found the Bible to be true and trustworthy. 

The Bible tells us that we are sinners.  We have chosen to do wrong, hurtful things (Romans 3:10).  The Bible tells us there is a punishment for wrong (Romans 6:23).  The punishment is more than we can pay – we can only be saved by faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The verse I posted today tells us about Christmas.  When the time God chose came, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be born of Mary.  Jesus grew up to die on the cross.  His shed blood paid the penalty for our sin (Hebrews 9:22).  This makes it possible for us to be a part of God’s family.  Those of us who have trusted in Christ know the joy of becoming God’s child.  I pray you will learn this if you have not. There is no greater joy.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to be born to pay the penalty for our sin.  Please help me to share this joy with others.  I want to see them come to know You and the joy only You can bring.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Christmas Right Here

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Can you believe it is already December?  At times this year it felt like the days were dragging, but now we have begun the last month of 2020.

In this last month of the year, I want to focus on the gospel at Christmas.  Some have said that Christmas is only a commercial time when retailers take advantage of people and feed greed.  While greed is a reality, so is generosity.  Negative happens, so why don’t we combat negativity with some positive truth?

The truth is that because we are sinners, Jesus Christ came to earth to be born under humble circumstances.  He grew up to die on the cross for our sins.  He chose to become a man and suffer the same way we do.  The difference is that He never sinned. That is part of the glory John 1:14 is talking about.  Due to the grace and truth that comes from God the Father, we can have hope and joy for the future. 

If you do not know Jesus Christ according to what the Bible says, then I hope you will seek the truth.  I am happy to share what God has taught me.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to a humble birth so I can know grace and truth. Please help me to share this with everyone I meet.  I want them to know the joy that only comes from knowing You.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.  

Thank You to Hard Workers

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Today I want to take time to thank all of those who work hard in their jobs, no matter what the job is.  This year we have had a lot of talk about “essential workers”.  While I understand the concept at the time, anyone who provides an income is essential.  And sadly, I have seen some in the “essential” roles who have not worked hard.  I believe that is true in every profession.  Some people work hard and sadly some are lazy. 

I am thankful for all who work hard.  Whether in stores, distribution centers, truck drivers who provide us with products we need for life or medical professionals who work hard to take care of our health and learn as new things come along.  The single parent who works doubly hard to provide for family, the caregiver who is navigating new circumstances and so many others.  All of you are a blessing to me.  I have worked with both hard workers and lazy employees.  I much prefer the hard workers and I know that God is pleased with hard workers (Proverbs 14:23, Acts 20:35, 2 Timothy 2:6).

Again – I say, “thank you”, to all of you. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for all who work hard.  Their effort brings things necessary for life and joy to the recipients.  Please help those who do not work hard to see the benefit and joy of putting more effort in.  This will bring glory to Your name.

I pray this in Jesus’ name. 

God is so good.

Happy Joyful Noise

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Has 2020 been an easy year to sing praise and be thankful?  I have often found it difficult.  It is too easy to fall into complaining.  That is why I wanted to spend extra time expressing gratitude this month.  The Bible often tells us to be glad and rejoice. Even when there is a difficult time, there is reason to praise God.  God would not have asked us to praise Him if there was not.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the Bible with reminders to be joyful.  I want to serve You with gladness and to sing in Your presence.  You are so good!

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.