Eternal Life
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Like Oil and Water
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? ~ Mark 8:36 Ahab was considered the worst king ever in Israel’s history. 1st Kings 16:30 tells us so: “Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him.” He repeatedly disobeyed God,… Continue reading
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We Should Celebrate This Year-Round
If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. – 1 Corinthians 15:19 If this world is all there is, then Christians really are to be pitied. We deny ourselves, we fight against sin, we endure many hardships, and we cling to Christ even when following… Continue reading
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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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Is the World Crucified to You?
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. – Galatians 6:14 It’s hard for us to realize how strange Paul’s words must have sounded back then. To the people who saw crucifixions, the words cross and… Continue reading
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Jesus Didn’t Suffer the Cross Just to Make You Nicer
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! – 2 Corinthians 5:17 We live in a world that celebrates self-improvement. Bookstores are lined with shelves of “how-to” guides that promise a better marriage, a better attitude, or even a better you. And the truth… Continue reading
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Made for More
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. – Philippians 3:20 C.S. Lewis once said that if we find in ourselves a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, then maybe the reason is that we were made for another world. That hits home… Continue reading
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But He’s Such a Good Fellow!
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6 Many today don’t want to think about God, about eternity, about heaven and hell. For to think about such things inevitably leads to some very uncomfortable questions, of which require even… Continue reading
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The Things You Refuse to Leave Behind Can Leave You Left Behind
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.– Matthew 4:19-20 A lot of people come to Jesus. And along with them they bring their worries, their concerns, their problems, their aches and pains, their sorrows and frustrations. Coming to… Continue reading
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What Now?
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. – John 19:30 The day after Jesus’ crucifixion must have dawned heavy with silence, confusion, and grief. The words “It is finished” lingered in the air, their meaning shrouded in mystery and pain… Continue reading
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From Grief to Joy
Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. – John 16:20 As Jesus spoke these words, the shadow of the cross loomed large. He knew the pain His disciples would soon endure – heart-wrenching sorrow as they watched their… Continue reading
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God’s Treasured Possession
“Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. ‘On the day when I act,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them,… Continue reading
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More Than Religion
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So you are ignorant of… Continue reading
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Do You Believe It?
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” – John 19:30 Oh, what a wonderful word this is! Just one word in the original Greek – Tetelestai – yet within it lies the entire gospel. The work is done, the price… Continue reading
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Are You Going?
So he sent other servants to tell them, “The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!” But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business. – Matthew 22:4-5 Imagine being… Continue reading
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Victory That Lasts
And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went. – 2 Samuel 8:14b How would you define success? Of course, you might try to answer that question any number of ways. For example, you might say that your marriage is successful or that your family has health, happiness, and security. Some may look at… Continue reading
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Despite All That We Are
Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people.– Deuteronomy 9:6 Israel stood on the threshold of the Promised Land, and Moses made it clear – they were not about to receive God’s blessings because… Continue reading
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Only One Came Back
Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.” – Luke 17:17-19 (NLT) It’s really easy for me to spot an ungrateful attitude. My problem… Continue reading
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Just Visiting
For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. – 2 Corinthians 4:18b (NLT) This morning I spent a few moments reflecting on the two years my family and I lived in London. I remember we were all so excited to be able to experience… Continue reading
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Have We Considered The Cost?
“Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives… Continue reading
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From Enemies to Family
“That day Herod and Pilate became friends – before this they had been enemies.” – Luke 23:12 It’s striking that the trial and crucifixion of Jesus became the event that turned Herod and Pilate, former enemies, into allies. They came together over their shared role in condemning an innocent man. It’s interesting how common goals… Continue reading
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A Promising Future Awaits!
For in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. – 2 Peter 1:11 (NASB) Have you ever thought about the kind of welcome you’ll receive when you enter heaven? Sometimes we might wonder if we’ll just barely make it in, as… Continue reading
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One Thing You Lack
“Teacher,” he declared, “all these [Commandments] I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He… Continue reading
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The Dirt Didn’t Matter.
“So [Jesus] got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.” John 13:4 Years ago we had a cleaning lady come over to our house for… Continue reading
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What Matters Most
“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” – John 5: 39-40 Imagine someone who reads a cookbook every day, memorizes the recipes, and understands all of the culinary… Continue reading
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Something Greater
For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. But God found fault with the people and said: “The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will… 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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Like a Dog Begging for a Treat
“If you were to die tonight and you were gaining entry into heaven, what would you say? If you or I answer it in the first person, we’ve immediately gone wrong. “Because I believe.” “Because I have faith.” “Because I have done this.” and so on; Loved ones, the only proper answer is in the… Continue reading
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Life is More than Just Fish and Chips
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10 This past week, John Alfred Tinniswood, from Northwest England, was confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records as being the oldest living man in the world at 111 years. The man who previously held the record, Juan… Continue reading
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From Ordinary to Invaluable
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now… Continue reading
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A Miserable Place for an Unholy Man
“Most men hope to go to heaven when they die, but few, it may be feared, take the trouble to consider whether they would enjoy heaven if they got there.” - J. C. Ryle I’ve been thinking about heaven more than usual lately. And it occurred to me that I really have no idea what to… Continue reading
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Christmas Through the Prism of Easter
A pastor who I greatly admire stated in a recent sermon, “It is sometimes good for us to read the Bible backwards.” In short, he was suggesting that reading backwards (through the guidance of the Holy Spirit) helps us to better understand Jesus’ words, and also helps us better understand Old Testament Scripture in the… Continue reading
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Redemption and Forgiveness
In his book, “Winning the War in Your Mind,” bestselling Christian author Craig Groeschel says, “A lie believed as truth will affect your life as if it were true.” Few people would live out this profound truth more personally in the Old Testament than Jacob. For over two decades, Jacob had believed the lie that… Continue reading
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So there was this pool…
When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else… Continue reading
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Better than Deer Park and Poland Springs
Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” – John 4:10 It was just another day for her. Off to the well she goes, pail in hand, to draw some water for the cooking… Continue reading
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Look No Further
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.” – Matthew 13:44 “I have climbed highest mountains, I have run through the fields, only to be with you;… Continue reading
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Avoid Dabbling
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” ~ Mark 8:36 Ahab was considered the worst king ever in Israel’s history. 1st Kings 16:30 reminds us, “Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him.” He repeatedly disobeyed… Continue reading
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Do I Truly Hate My Sin?
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ~ Romans 12:9 There are few things more frustrating to me than watching a highly competitive sporting event between two teams that ultimately ends in a tie. Perhaps this is why I’ve found it impossible to develop more than a mere casual… Continue reading
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“I Don’t See Your Name.”
The Lord replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book.” ~ Exodus 32:33 “Everything’s set! Friday evening, 7pm,” I told her. It had been a long while since my wife and I last had an evening to ourselves. And this evening was going to be special! A new… 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 