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One of the Scariest Verses in the Bible
I was talking with someone the other day about this verse found in Matthew 7: “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your names, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.‘” – Jesus Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus spoke these words while giving His Sermon on the Mount. He may…
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Jesus and Sinners
Recently, I’ve heard several people comment through various sources (interviews and articles) on how Jesus kept company with sinners, in particular the more “troublesome” sinners, such as prostitutes and thieves. The context of these interviews was to slam conservative Christians. I rarely write about politics on this blog, so this post is not about the slam towards Christians. I will talk about Jesus, however. It’s true. Jesus did keep company with sinners. He traveled with them. He ate dinner with them. He dwelt among them. Considering we’re all sinners, who else would He have kept company with? Once, when confronted by the Pharisees for eating dinner with tax collectors, He…
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What’s So Good About Good Friday?
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 “…but God shows his love for us in that while were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 ESV “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” – Jesus John 15:13-14 Today is Good Friday – the day Jesus faced his accusers and death. He was whipped, mocked, and beaten before being nailed to the cross and dying a torturous death. If what Jesus…
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There’s More to the Story
This past week in church, we continued our study of the first chapter of Exodus. In verses 8-22, it tells the story of how Pharaoh enslaved the Israelites because they were growing too large in number. He also ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill any Hebrew male baby they delivered. Of course, the midwives (at least two of them), fearing God more than man, refused to murder the newborn babies. Once Pharaoh found out they weren’t murdering the babies at birth, he ordered the Egyptians to kill the male babies by throwing them into the Nile. As I thought about this story in light of the terrible situation in Afghanistan,…
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Put Your Hope in God
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.” Psalm 42:5, ESV Earlier this summer, I experienced a period of unhappiness. Restlessness filled my soul. I was already coming from a place of exhaustion, but throw in the stress of possible health issues for a close loved one, a vacation that didn’t go as planned, and a season of extra busyness, and you have the makings for one disappointed person. One day as I was about to leave for yet another errand, I sat in my car and started…
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Thank You Loved + Blessed
I am excited to announce that I have been asked to be a guest blogger over at lovedandblessed.com! I am so grateful, and honestly humbled, to have the opportunity to write a blog post for them. Click here to read my post on Faith-Filled Generosity. The writers at Loved + Blessed and I share the same mission: to encourage women in their faith and to offer hope. They also offer themed “boxes of encouragement” and other items for you to purchase for you or a friend. Check out their store here. Below are a couple of pictures of my “Waiting” box, which offers encouragement during those seasons of waiting on…
