Endurance
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A Sheltered Faith is Seldom a Strong Faith
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. – John 17:15 I was reading Jesus’ high priestly prayer this morning in John 17 and what He prays in verse 15 really stood out to me. Doesn’t Jesus know the world far better… Continue reading
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The Artist and the Windows
We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. – Rom. 6:3-4 There’s an old story about an artist who traveled to Europe – sometimes to Rome, sometimes to France – to study the stained glass in some of the world’s greatest cathedrals. He wanted to… Continue reading
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Ain’t It Good to Know You’ve Got a Friend?
I was listening to this song today while driving. It’s an old James Taylor song – one of those songs with beautiful lyrics that cause you to think of someone special in your life: When you’re down and troubledAnd you need a helping handAnd nothing, nothing is going rightClose your eyes and think of meAnd… Continue reading
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What if We Considered Our Suffering a Privilege?
You have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. – Philippians 1:29 Have you ever considered that trusting God and suffering for Christ can go hand in hand? This question challenges us to look beyond our pain and see God’s purpose in it. As… Continue reading
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The Journey Can Feel Lonesome Sometimes
Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race. – Psalm 12:1 The exact context of Psalm 12 is uncertain, as it could’ve been written during any number of moments in David’s life. But it’s evident that David felt isolated, surrounded by untrustworthy people. Maybe you… Continue reading
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A Glory That Far Outweighs Any Temporary Pain
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. – Romans 8:18 The apostle Paul knew a thing or two about pain. Before meeting Christ, he dished out suffering as Saul, persecuting believers. Then later, as a follower of Jesus, he endured beatings, imprisonment, and… Continue reading
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Boredom Can Have a Spiritual Purpose
Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian… Exodus 3:1 Some seasons feel like a spiritual standstill. No big revelations. No burning bushes. Just quiet, repetitive days – emails, chores, appointments, kids’ soccer games, sleep, repeat. We don’t talk much about boredom in the Christian life. But it’s there.… Continue reading
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Resting in the Sovereign Hand of God
To know that nothing happens in God’s world apart from God’s will may frighten the godless, but it stabilizes the saints. – J. I. Packer, in Knowing God For those who don’t know God, the idea that nothing – nothing – happens outside His will is a most dreadful thought. It’s unsettling, isn’t it, to… Continue reading
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Love… Endures a Lot
Love is patient and kind… – 1 Corinthians 13:4a Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13:4 cut through the haze of emotions we often associate with love. He isn’t describing how love feels… he’s showing us how it acts. True love is not a fleeting sentiment, but rather a deliberate choice, always revealed through action. It’s… Continue reading
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Do You Embrace God’s Discipline?
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.– Hebrews 12:11 Recently I began a new journey to improve my health. I’ve slowly started swapping out junk foods for more vegetables, sugary drinks for water, and… Continue reading
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Even In the Hardest of Times
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and… Continue reading
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An Unshakable Peace
He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. – 1 John 4:4 (ESV) Facing hardship, rejection, or loss can be overwhelming, but these difficult moments are also opportunities to encounter God’s power and love in a deeply personal way. In our struggles, we can discover that the peace that… Continue reading
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What’s the “Dirt” on our Soil?
“And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.” Luke 8:15 I love Jesus’ Parable of the Sower. In fact, I find it to be one of the greatest of all his teachings. And the rare bonus of… Continue reading
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Tested and Approved
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.“- James 1:12 Immediately after a passenger airplane comes off the assembly line, it goes through dozens of detailed inspections and performance tests. But the… Continue reading
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The Fruit of Faithfulness
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. – Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV) Over the past week we’ve been working our way through the Fruit of the Spirit, and we’ve looked at Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, and Goodness. This… Continue reading
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He’s Always Closer Than We Think
“My complaint today is still a bitter one, and I try hard not to groan aloud. If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his court. I would lay out my case and present my arguments. Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me. Would… Continue reading
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Just keep holding on. It’s worth it.
“Think about Jesus’ example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying.” – Hebrews 12:3 (NCV) Many of them would die at the hands of Nero in AD 64. But up until that point they had largely avoided execution. Still, life was not… Continue reading
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Remaining Faithful in the Midst of Hostility
“The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.” – John 15:19 In John 15, Jesus reminds us that we are called to live in a world… Continue reading
About Me
Welcome! I’m Scott (aka Former Blackout Artist), and I’m so happy you decided to drop in! I hope you find the content here spiritually enlightening and uplifting. Most of all, I hope that my love of Christ is revealed through my writing and that it encourages you in some way today. Thanks for stopping by!
Former Blackout Artist 