"God rested. Let that sink in deep into your heart. God rested. In this ridiculous pace of life that many of us have been trapped into living, we must recapture the practice of rest.... " So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. (Genesis 2:3) Of all the days of creation, there was only one day that God called holy. The final day, which was really no day of creation at all; it was a day of res

"Encouragement brings joy to the heart. This is true of all forms of encouragement; whether it be a non-verbal cheerful look (literally: “bright eyes”) or verbal “good news.” God’s Word tells us that encouragement... " A glad heart makes a cheerful face… The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones. - Proverbs 15:13, 30 Encouragement brings joy to the heart. This is true of all forms of encouragement; whether it be a non-verbal cheerful loo

"When you're rejected, you join company with the Savior. Jesus was sinless, he was wrongly accused, and to this day He is rejected. When Jesus died on the Cross, he redeemed rejection. Jesus entered into that lonely place, that place of rejection, so it would not have to be the end of our story..." “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me..." – Galatians 2:20 Free to be me. I loved that song so much when it first came out by

"Where is God in the midst of our suffering world? This is a fair question to ask; and knowing that God fears nothing we should rest assured He is not afraid of such a question. Most often... " “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3.9 Where is God in the midst of our suffering world? This is a fair question to ask; and kno

"Being willing to give mercy and forgiveness is about much more than extending grace towards another, it ultimately brings healing to the one extending such kindness. " “The merciful man does good to his own soul…” (Proverbs 11:17) The man who gives mercy is a free man. Being willing to give mercy and forgiveness is about much more than extending grace towards another, it ultimately brings healing to the one extending such kindness. On the contrary, when we hold a grudge, wh

"In a world full of fear and turmoil everyone is looking for help and peace, and it cannot be found. Instead of finding peace, there is more and more violence... In truth, peace can be found in Christ alone. " “May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” (2 Peter 1:2) In a world full of fear and turmoil everyone is looking for help and peace, and it cannot be found. Instead of finding peace, there is more and more violence. I

"The cross sounds wonderfully magnificent and heroic as long as we only have to preach about it. It’s doing it that is the hard part. But God has called us to lead, not just to tell..." “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mark 8:34) Jesus said His Kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). Consequently, His kingdom works by different rules. This is especially evident concerning the idea of leadership. There is a vast

"Often liars say downright crazy unbelievable things... These men had spoken no such intentions. Demonstrated no such actions. Planned no such thing. Had no such intentions." “…be it known to the king that the Jews…are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city… Now be it known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and their royal revenue will be impaired.” (Ezra 4:12-13) Often liars say downright crazy

"“You have put more joy in my heart...” is a phrase that speaks to the joy that only God’s children can know. It is a higher joy that God places into the hearts of his own. It is a joy that is greater than..." You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. (Psalm 4:7) “You have put more joy in my heart...” is a phrase that speaks to the joy that only God’s children can know. It is a higher joy that God places into the hearts of his own

"For those who are in denial that being divided away from the family of God equals being divided away from God, at the very least, you must acknowledge the enemies plans against you have worked to divide you away and weaken your devotion to the one true living God..." And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply…” (Exodus 1:9-10) The Apostle Paul charges us to not be ignor

"We may be wise to acknowledge that the greatest adversaries we need delivered from lie within..." ““Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries…” – Psalm 27:12 This was a wise and humble plea from Israel’s greatest king. It is pride that will keep a man from asking God for help. While it is clear from the text the adversaries David had in mind were the murderous men seeking his life, we may be wise to acknowledge that the greatest adversaries we need delivered from lie w

"It is the pride of man that keeps him from being able to receive God’s favor. It is those who think they need no help that God does nothing for. But to the lowly, the humble and dependent..." “He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant.” (Luke 1:48) How amazing and humbling is it that God regards those and comes to those who are in a ‘lowly state’. That the God of the universe, the Maker of heaven and earth, would regard anyone in this world is humbling enough. But w

"Even the great King David... battled fear. Brothers and sisters, do not let the fact that we have struggles, fears, and doubts cause us to question the authenticity of our relationship with our Lord..." “Because of the voice of the enemy… My heart is severely pained within me,” (Psalm 55:3-4) Even the great King David, the "man after God’s own heart," at times battled fear, worry, and doubt. Certainly we, as mere men and women, are not different than he. Brothers and siste

"Jesus is coming back for a church who is desiring Him and following His lead, and it is high time time for the church to awake to true righteousness..." “And they all with one consent began to make excuse." - Luke 14:15-24 (18a) Jesus tells the story of a man who makes a special meal for several people, and when it is prepared he calls them to come eat what he prepared for them. It turns out that none of them can come for various reasons. One needs to look at land he has p

"Jesus Christ will return, for some it will be a glorious day of rejoicing, and for many others it will be a terrible day of reckoning. Even in what is called the church many will be left behind..." “and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks." (Luke 12:36) We must be not only looking for the return of Jesus Christ, but diligently preparing for it. No servant wi

"God is always after a true love. He does not call us to mere commandments, motions, church services, work, offerings, and such. He calls us to love Him; and to love Him above all else." “Jesus said… Simon, do you love me...? He said a second time... do you love me? He said to him a third time, Simon... do you love me?” (John 21:15-17) In Revelation 2:4, the church in Ephesus was rebuked for abandoning their love for Christ. This is in stark contrast to what Paul had said

"Experience verifies to us there are different levels of sleep. The lighter one sleeps, the more aware he is of what is happening around him. The deeper the sleep, the less aware one will become until eventually he is completely oblivious to his surroundings. So it is in the spiritual world as well. " “and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory…” (Luke 9:32) Jesus was transfigured, showing for the first time on earth His eternal glory. Elijah and Moses were there hav

"...look again at both the miraculous birth and the atoning death of Christ Jesus, and know God loves you.." "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." - Luke 2:7 Jesus Christ, the King of kings, was born in a lowly stable, and had a manger for a bed. He was not born in a palace or a mansion, nor was He laid in a silk covered feather bed. He came into this world in

"...for this reason, the Apostle Paul charges us, “Do not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” It takes real courage and real integrity to be a real Christian. It takes a willingness to stand when all else will not." “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” -Romans 12:2 The apostle commands us not to be conformed to this world; that is, not to allow ourselves to be formed by the corru

"We find great peace in having this unchanging standard to look to; but even greater, God Himself does not change. God is so unchanging that there is not even a shadow of turning in Him." "…with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” – James 1:17 In a world of constant change, we find rest in knowing that our God is forever the same. As He was, He is and forever He will be. There is never a need to wonder or to question the character, loving kindness, mercy, grace