Grace
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A Love That’s Truly Inseparable
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39 Have you… Continue reading
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Sin Never Stays Buried
Achan replied, “It is true! I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in… Continue reading
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A Love So Deep That It Shook Him
The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” – Acts 16:29-30 Isn’t it incredible how showing compassion to someone can completely change their life? Take this Philippian jailer. Now we… Continue reading
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Hard Lessons Can Be Our Greatest Blessings
My mom’s sickness came on in the spring of 2020. It was the same week that my sister was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer. That was a tough week. And it would lead to the most challenging season of my life. Being retired (and my brother being consumed with work at his job), I assumed… Continue reading
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Peace is Purchased Only Through the Currency of Humility
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. – Proverbs 15:1 There’s perhaps no clearer mark of true Christian maturity than controlling the tongue. Many can speak boldly, many can master a room. But few can speak gently and with self-control. Let us consider our Lord Jesus Christ. He was… Continue reading
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The Man Who May Dwell With God
Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile… Continue reading
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We All Enter Through the Same Gate
For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. – 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 I was reading 1 Thessalonians 1 this morning, and I found myself lingering over these words: “For… Continue reading
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The Struggle of Faith
“How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was a little boy. The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is… Continue reading
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You’re Not an Afterthought
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? – Romans 8:32 When I read Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome, it’s like standing before a buffet with all of my favorite foods. It’s so hard… Continue reading
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Remember Your Chains
“I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.” – Colossians 4:18 At the end of his letter to the church in Colossae, Paul calls his faithful brothers and sisters in Christ to “remember my chains.” He wasn’t seeking their pity; he was trying to encourage those who… Continue reading
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Do I See Jesus?
Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. – Matthew 25:40 Reading Jesus’ words above, we can easily sense how He ties Himself so closely to the hurting, the overlooked, and the struggling that He takes it personally. “You did… Continue reading
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God As He Is
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. – Romans 1:21 In his commentary on Romans chapter 1, R. C. Sproul observes, “The most fundamental sin in our fallen, corrupt nature is the sin of idolatry,… Continue reading
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The Greatest Revival in History
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. – Jonah 3:10 If you were casting the lead role for the greatest revival in history, Jonah wouldn’t even make the long list. He wasn’t warm, or winsome,… Continue reading
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Thoughts on Hebrews 10:14
For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. – Hebrews 10:14 When a child is adopted, there is a moment – usually marked by a court decision – when everything becomes legally and permanently true. From that day on, the child belongs to the family. The last name… Continue reading
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Isaiah 19: Nobody Gets Left Out!
In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying,… Continue reading
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Snip Happens: When Religion Misses the Mark
Ever wondered why circumcision was such a hot-button topic for Paul and why he spent so much time talking about it in his New Testament letters? To understand Paul’s passion, we have to go back to the Old Testament. Circumcision began as a God-given sign of covenant, first given to Abraham (Genesis 17). It marked Israel… Continue reading
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There’s No App for Righteousness
No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good.– C.S. Lewis Recently my auto insurance company sent me an email with the subject title, “Want to save up to 30% on your auto insurance premium? Look inside.” I figured it was probably a gimmick, perhaps something about referring… Continue reading
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Does God View All Sin the Same?
It’s a question that a new Christian might ask, perhaps out of confusion, or maybe even fear: Does God really see all sin the same? We sense the weight of the question because we know, instinctively, that not every wrong feels equal. Yet Scripture leads us to a deeper, more careful answer – one that invites… Continue reading
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Mercy Comes Before Everything
So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.” — Romans 9:16 There are few statements outside Scripture that pierce the pride of the human heart like Jonathan Edwards’ words: “You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary.” We instinctively want to bring something to… Continue reading
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A Reminder of His Promise
“Just as I swore in the time of Noah that I would never again let a flood cover the earth, so now I swear that I will never again be angry and punish you.” – Isaiah 54:9 Today on our way back to the cruise ship, God decided to put on a show. Out of… Continue reading
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What If Jesus Hadn’t Come Yet?
Have you ever thought about what the world might look like if Jesus had yet to come? It’s kind of hard to wrap your head around, but it’s worth thinking about. Because honestly, it would be a completely different world! Darker, colder, and a whole lot more hopeless… If Jesus hadn’t come, we’d still be… Continue reading
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No More Guilt and Shame
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. – Romans 8:1 If anyone knew what it felt like to live with regret, it was the Apostle Paul. He did everything in his power to destroy the early church. Imagine the memories that must have haunted him – the faces of… Continue reading
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More Than Lip Service
“It is easier to be enthusiastic about Humanity with a capital ‘H’ than it is to love individual men and women, especially those who are uninteresting, exasperating, depraved, or otherwise unattractive. Loving everybody in general may be an excuse for loving nobody in particular.” C. S. Lewis C.S. Lewis had such a wonderful way of… Continue reading
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The Danger of Having a Commercial Spirit
Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” – Matthew 19:27 Rees Howells (1879-1950) was a Welsh coal miner for many years before becoming a prominent revival preacher in Wales in the early 1900’s. Every night for three years, Rees would finish his 12-hour shift in… Continue reading
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Lessons From the Prodigal: A Son’s Foolish Request and a Father’s Astonishing Response
“There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. – Luke 15:11-12 In the opening of the Parable of the Prodigal Son, which is nestled within Luke’s trio of stories about the lost being… Continue reading
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But That’s Not Fair!
About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. He told them, “You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. – Matthew 20:3-5 I have to admit, my natural instinct bristles at Bible stories like this… Continue reading
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God’s Morning Notes by the Coffee Pot
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.– Proverbs 16:9 Scott, while you were sleeping (quite loudly, I might add… might wanna schedule a sleep study soon!), I went ahead and reviewed your schedule for today. Now, a few quick updates. Notice I changed some things: You’re welcome. Have some… Continue reading
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What Shall I Render to the Lord?
What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me? – Psalm 116:12 Oh, the weight and wonder of this question! The psalmist stands, as it were, on the precipice of God’s overwhelming goodness, gazing back at a sea of divine benefits – mercies too numerous to count, too vast to comprehend.… 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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The Parable of the Three Travelers
In a distant land, there was a great city known as Haven, ruled by a wise and merciful king. The road to Haven was long and winding, and many travelers sought its gates, for it was said that those who entered would find peace and purpose. But the path was narrow, and the king required… Continue reading
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A Quiet Example
Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others. – 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (NLT) In his letter to the… Continue reading
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Calm Seas Don’t Make Skillful Sailors
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. – 1 Cor. 16:13 It’s easy to be bold when there’s no cost. It’s easy to stand tall when the crowd is with you, when the waters are calm, and when doing the right thing doesn’t demand much. But life isn’t always… Continue reading
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Not Even One
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” – John 8:6b-7 The Pharisees dragged a woman before Jesus,… Continue reading
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Leaving the Old Self Behind
“If you are renewed by grace, and were to meet your old self, I am sure you would be very anxious to get out of his company.” – Charles H. Spurgeon Spurgeon’s words remind us just how much God’s grace transforms our lives. If we were to meet our old selves – the person we… Continue reading
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A Most Comforting Truth
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —yet he did not sin. – Hebrews 4:15 To the ancient Greeks, the gods were distant and unmoved by human struggles. Their concept of… Continue reading
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Seeing People Through Fresh Eyes
Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him.… Continue reading
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Are You In or Out?
The teacher of religious law replied, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth by saying that there is only one God and no other. And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is… Continue reading
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How Big is Your God?
My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. – Psalms 25:15-17 This sweet, comforting psalm came from a season of… 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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A Heart That Repents
But after he had taken the census, David’s conscience began to bother him. And he said to the LORD, “I have sinned greatly by taking this census. Please forgive my guilt, LORD, for doing this foolish thing.” – 2 Samuel 24:10 (NLT) Near the end of his reign, David, a man after God’s own heart,… Continue reading
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An Awesome, Humbling Business, Indeed…
I can hide my heart, and my past, and my future plans, from those around me, but I cannot hide anything from God. I can talk in a way that deceives my fellow creatures as to what I really am, but nothing I say or do can deceive God. He sees through all my reserve… Continue reading
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Is The Lord With You?
“Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again.” “All right,” Saul said. “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him here.” One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem… Continue reading
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Sin Is Never Casual
Imagine you have a friend who was struggling with an unhealthy habit, and after many months of hard work – maybe even years – they were able to break free from it. But one day, they toyed with the idea of going back just once because they thought they had the strength to walk away… 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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The Parable of Two Politicians
In Luke 18:9-17, Jesus tells a story about a Pharisee and a tax collector who went to the temple to pray. The Pharisee, confident in his righteousness, compared himself to the tax collector and began to thank God that he wasn’t like him or other sinners. But Jesus says it was the tax collector, humble… Continue reading
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The Truth of God’s Love
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. – Ephesians 5:1-2 There’s a simple yet profound truth that flows through Paul’s words in Ephesians 5:1-2: We are called to… Continue reading
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We Have Heard it From His Own Lips!
At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. “If you are the Messiah,” they said, “tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would… Continue reading
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Wrestling With The Truth
Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the… Continue reading
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Bringing Back The Wanderer
My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.– James 5:19-20 It’s not uncommon for people to drift from the… Continue reading
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Grace Over Perfection
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. – Romans 3:20 One of the most frustrating jobs I ever had was back when I worked in construction many years ago. And it wasn’t because it was physically… Continue reading
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Do We See What He Sees?
“By judging others, we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled to as we are.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer This evening as I was reading Luke’s account of Jesus’ anointing by the sinful woman (Luke 7), God’s Word began to really challenge me to think about how… Continue reading
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When Believers Disagree With Fellow Believers
After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not… Continue reading
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The Apple of His Eye
“Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings.” — Psalm 17:8 (NIV) You are the apple of God’s eye—cherished, protected, and seen. When David wrote this verse, he was asking God to keep him close and safe, like something precious. And God promises the same for you.… Continue reading
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A Warning About Drifting Away
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they… Continue reading
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Had I Been There: The One Who Returned
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” –… Continue reading
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A Little Faith Can Go a Long Way
“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” – John 6:9 When the crowd of 5000 came, the disciples saw a major problem. They needed an army of caterers, not a small basket of bread and fish. The situation seemed hopeless.… Continue reading
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The Lord’s Regret
Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel: “I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” 1Samuel 15:10 One of the worst decisions I’ve made in my life was about 20 years ago when, in a moment of utter weakness… Continue reading
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Getting Along With Others
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” – Philippians 2:14 Grumbling and arguing are so common that they often feel like a natural part of life. We complain about our jobs, traffic, government, the weather, or even the slightest of inconveniences. We argue over opinions, preferences, and sometimes even the most trivial of matters. Yet, Paul… Continue reading
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Beyond Any Earthly Price
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!” But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed… Continue reading
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Love Without Reservation
When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood… Continue reading
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Haman’s Hatred
“When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage. He had learned of Mordecai’s nationality, so he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire empire of Xerxes.” –… Continue reading
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Ain’t You Tired?
If you’re looking for an easy and enlightening read this summer, I highly recommend Brant Hansen’s book Unoffendable. Today’s devotional is an excerpt from one of the stories in his book, (p.59-60). Brant writes: “[God] wants to know us, and he wants us to know Him. He wants us to want Him. Not ideas or… Continue reading
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Get Them Back
Few things are more awkward to me than bumping into someone I know who was once a professing believer but has since given up on “religion” altogether. But what is even more awkward to me is ignoring that person in hopes of avoiding an awkward conversation. People who walk away from their faith will offer… Continue reading
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Why Do You Call Me Good?
“I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1:16 (NIV) Do you consider yourself to be a good driver? Of course you do. Everyone does. In fact, the… Continue reading
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More Than Roadside Assistance
Ask me, and I will do whatever you ask. This way the Son will bring honor to the Father. – John 14:13 (CEV) Perhaps you’re one of the 61 million card-carrying members of the largest automobile club in America – AAA. Or maybe your automobile insurance company has the exclusive policy perk of being there… Continue reading
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Keeping the Cross on Our Minds
“For he gave himself for us, that he might set us free from all our evil ways, and make for himself a people of his own, clean and pure, with our hearts set upon living a life that is good.” – Titus 2:14 (J.B. Phillips NT Bible) Satan is a master deceiver. When he tempts… Continue reading
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Don’t Take God’s Grace For Granted
So they sent men to Shiloh to bring the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, were also there with the Ark of the Covenant of God. When all the Israelites saw the Ark of the Covenant of the… Continue reading
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Wounded Trees and Forgiveness
“Forgiveness is a beautiful word, until you have something to forgive.” – C.S. Lewis Shortly after the Civil War, General Robert E. Lee ran into a woman in Virginia who complained to him that Yankee artillery had severely damaged a beautiful tree that was in her yard. She was so livid about it that she… Continue reading
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A Transformed Perspective
I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.… 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 Patience
The Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?” Jonah 4:4 In recent days we’ve been focusing our meditations on the fruit of the Spirit. You will recall that the first three fruit we’ve talked about (Love, Joy, and Peace) are the inward fruit, the fruit that comes directly from God.… Continue reading
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Thy Will Be Done
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. – Joshua 1:8 When the Lord appointed him to be Moses’ successor and finish leading the Israelites into the Promised… Continue reading
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Looking for the One
One of my favorite stories in the Bible is at the beginning of John chapter five, where Jesus has an encounter with a paralytic man by the pool in Bethesda. The reason I love this particular passage of Scripture is because it beautifully illustrates what the gift of grace truly is. Although he doesn’t provide… 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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New Mercies Each Morning
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 Most of us wake up each morning with thoughts of what awaits us for the day ahead. The first order of business is getting a cup of coffee.… Continue reading
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His Victory is Our Victory, Too.
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were… Continue reading
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Are You Thankful for the Thorns?
“God uses chronic pain and weakness, along with other afflictions, as his chisel for sculpting our lives. Felt weakness deepens dependence on Christ for strength each day. The weaker we feel, the harder we lean. And the harder we lean, the stronger we grow spiritually, even while our bodies waste away. To live with your… Continue reading
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A Deeper Look at the 2 Greatest Commandments
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” – Jesus, Mark 12:30-31 Sometimes we become so familiar with certain passages in Scripture that… Continue reading
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A Widow’s Guide to Starting Your Own Olive Oil Business
One day the widow of a member of the group of prophets came to Elisha and cried out, “My husband who served you is dead, and you know how he feared the LORD. But now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves.” “What can I do to help you?” Elisha… Continue reading
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First Came the Law, Then Came the Love
“If someone has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him, his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town. They shall say to the elders, “This son… Continue reading
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Psalm 100: Giving Thanks to our Lord
As we gather with family and friends today to celebrate Thanksgiving, let us turn our hearts to Psalm 100, a psalm that beautifully captures the essence of gratitude and worship to our Father in Heaven. May these verses guide our expressions of thankfulness to all He has done for us. 1-2 Shout for joy to… Continue reading
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Blessed Assurance
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just… Continue reading
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He’s Still Performing Miracles Today
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: 17-18 If you’re like me, reading Luke’s account of Jesus healing the ten… Continue reading
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What a Good Father Does
Do good to your servant according to your word, Lord. Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees. Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,… Continue reading
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Grace Changes Everything
“For some days [Saul] was with the disciples at Damascus. And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon his name? And has he not… Continue reading
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Acknowledging the Bad While Accepting the Good
“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all… Continue reading
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How Clean Are Your Dishes?
When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went and reclined at the table. But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and… Continue reading
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Paul’s Dilemma
“I have discovered this principle of life – that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that… Continue reading
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When I start thinking I’m a good person…
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39 “Just because I’ve done some bad things doesn’t mean I’m a bad person. It just means I’m… Continue reading
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Making Good Use of Our Gifts
“There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. About this time she became ill and died. Her body was washed for burial and laid in an upstairs room. But the believers had heard that Peter was nearby in… Continue reading
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Complaining without Grumbling
“I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.” – Psalm 142:1-2 (NIV) When David was fleeing from Saul, he would often cry out to the Lord in desperation. Tired of being on the run,… Continue reading
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Love Always Wins
“Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you… Continue reading
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Naughty? Or Nice?
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” – Romans 8:31 For many years I somehow had this idea that God was against me. Perhaps it had a lot to do with my misunderstanding as a small child, sitting in a pew at church one Sunday morning and listening to our pastor preach… Continue reading
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Living in the Shadow of Unkept Promises
[Jonathan said] “May the Lord be with you as he used to be with my father. And may you treat me with the unfailing love of the Lord as long as I live. But if I die, treat my family with this faithful love, even when the Lord destroys all your enemies from the face… Continue reading
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“Don’t swallow all of your pride at once, for you may very well choke to death.”
“Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” – Proverbs 26:12 He was widely known for his many accomplishments as an inventor, a statesman, and a writer. However, as he grew older, he became increasingly proud of himself and his abilities.… Continue reading
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Is There Joy in Your Suffering?
“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.” – Philippians 1:29-30 Who among us enjoys dealing with physical or emotional pain?… Continue reading
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The Most Undervalued Gifts
“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:2 When a small child opens up that special gift on Christmas morning, his eyes light up like the lights on the tree. “Wow! Are you serious??? I can’t believe this! This is the greatest day of my life!” And… Continue reading
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Holy Wednesday: Not a Drop Was Wasted
“Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, ‘That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have… Continue reading
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Had They Only Known
“At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.” – John 12:16 As Jesus made his way into Jerusalem, his disciples had yet to understand that this journey was ultimately… Continue reading
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Winning with Grace
“How beloved and gracious were Saul and Jonathan! They were together in life and in death. They were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions.” – 2 Samuel 1:23 Imagine giving the eulogy of someone who on numerous occasions in the past tried to have you killed. This is essentially what David did in 2 Samuel… Continue reading
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Living in Yesterday’s Light
I got up early this morning and watched the sun rising over the mountains. This is much too early, I thought to myself. I yawned and asked myself why I decided to get up so soon. Surely daylight would appear without my presence, like it has all the other times before? But it had been… Continue reading
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Better Than I Deserve
“How blessed is the man who made the Lord his trust.” ~ Psalm 40:4 One fall afternoon I was parked on the shoulder of a rural highway about 50 miles southwest of Ashland, Kentucky. As I sat there completely hopeless and numb, I considered what few options remained. Roughly 9 hours earlier I had been… Continue reading
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What’s In It For Me?
“Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” ~ Matthew 19:27 Earlier this week while reading my morning devotionals, I came across the parable of the Vineyard Workers in Matthew, chapter 20. Of course, there’s a reason why Jesus tells this story, a vital reason. But… Continue reading
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What is your Miss?
“My grace is sufficient for you,” says the Lord. “For my power is made perfect in weakness.” ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9 The slice: It is the bane of most every recreational golfer, his Achilles heel. If he is truly bitten by the golf bug, he will desire to learn how to hit the ball straighter.… Continue reading
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I Can’t See Straight Sometimes
The guy standing at the busy intersection, holding a sign that reads: “Homeless and Need Help.” The aggressive driver behind me tailgating. The grouchy lady working the counter at the coffee shop. The neighbor across the street who seldom waves back at me. He had to see me waving at him! The truck driver who… Continue reading
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Learning to Love the Unlovable
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.” ~ 1 Peter 4:8 I have a few people in life who can be incredibly difficult to be around sometimes. Their attitudes make it challenging to want to spend any time with them, and invariably I find myself going out of my… Continue reading
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Hate is the Enemy
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” ~ Matthew 5: 43-44 The world can often be a cruel and bitter place. It has always been this way, but in the past we didn’t have… Continue reading
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Don’t Squander Your Mulligan!
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights.” ~ James 1:17 It’s been quite a while (for me at least) since I had my last drink, and I’ve been required to deal with a lot of life challenges during this time. Since my last drink…… Continue reading
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Not Paroled, but Pardoned!
“Neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” ~ John 8:11 She had been caught in the act. The Pharisees apprehended her and brought her before Jesus, exclaiming, “Teacher, we caught her red-handed! This woman is guilty of adultery! The Law says that she is to be stoned… 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 