Humility
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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 Gift of Laughter
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.– Ecclesiastes 3: 1; 4 There are certain people who I love being around. And not because they’ve got everything going for them… Continue reading
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A Man With a Plan
As [Jesus] approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If… Continue reading
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Little Conversations
I had a conversation recently that’s been sitting with me. It started the way these conversations often do – grief. Someone talking about losing a person they loved. Then the familiar sentence: “At least they’re in a better place now.” I didn’t pounce or preach. I just listened. But I did notice the door cracked… Continue reading
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Choose Your Wisdom Wisely
“Who is wise and understanding among you?…” (James 3:13) It’s one thing to admit being wrong – we all make the occasional mistake. But who wants to admit to lacking wisdom? Not me. And probably not you either. So when James transitions into the topic of wisdom in James 3, he does so with what… Continue reading
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Everybody Wants to Rule Their World
Because man is born a rebel, he is unaware that he is one. His constant assertion of self, as far as he thinks of it at all, appears to him a perfectly normal thing. He is willing to share himself, sometimes even to sacrifice himself for a desired end, but never to dethrone himself. No… Continue reading
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Getting to Know God’s Heart
“Find out what pleases the Lord.” – Ephesians 5:10 Paul says, “Find out what pleases the Lord.” To me, he seems to be suggesting that we don’t automatically know. Even as believers, we sometimes assume we already understand what God likes – that He’s pleased when we do “Christiany” things or stay out of trouble.… 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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Lessons From the Prodigal: The Road to Repentance
When he came to his senses, he said, “How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to… 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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Heaven’s Chapter 11: How to Go Broke and Get Rich
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 5:3 We live in an age intoxicated with self. Our culture worships confidence, celebrates self-promotion, and urges everyone to “believe in yourself” as the ultimate virtue. Social media is a monument to the human ego, where self-worth is measured in… 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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I’m Thankful Jesus Picked ‘The Twelve’ He Did
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” – Matthew 19:26 There are times when I’m reading my Bible and I think to myself, “What’s the point? I’m not smart enough, I’m not brave enough, I’m not disciplined enough, and I’m not good enough. What use… Continue reading
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A Few Good Men
Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people. – Nehemiah 5:19 Nehemiah was a man who lived for God and His people. His life, as we see in the Book of Nehemiah, shines as a powerful example of what faithfulness truly looks like. He was faithful to the Lord,… Continue reading
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The People We Overlook
Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. – Rom. 12:16 Isn’t it something how God uses the most unexpected circumstances to teach us the most valuable lessons? I’ll never forget those early days of the pandemic. Life came to a standstill. So much uncertainty and fear. And suddenly,… Continue reading
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Don’t Be a Glory Thief
I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. – Isaiah 42:8 God is very clear in this verse – He will not share His glory with anyone or anything. He alone is the Lord. He alone is worthy of praise. And He… Continue reading
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God Can Use Your Weakness
Is it possible that the very limitations and handicaps in my life are the key to usefulness in the service of God? – Alistair Begg I was reading this afternoon and this quote jumped off the page at me. I’ve often looked at my struggles – my physical limitations or things I’m not good at… Continue reading
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A Parable of the Haves and Have Nots
Jenny, a single mother of two, leaves her young children with her mother each day to work two grueling jobs. Her life is a constant juggle – paying rent, buying groceries, and stretching every dollar. Yet, when asked how she’s holding up, she responds with a weary but genuine smile: “Could life be easier? Sure.… Continue reading
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Obedience to God is a Duty, Not a Favor
So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.” – Luke 17:10 In the modern church, a dangerous notion has crept in: the idea that our obedience to God is some sort of grand gesture, a favor we bestow… Continue reading
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Riding the Storm with God’s Faithful
“Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” – Acts 27:10 In Acts 27, Paul, a prisoner on his way to Rome, is aboard a ship facing a perilous journey. As an experienced traveler, he senses an… Continue reading
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Has Someone Ever Stolen Your Thunder?
But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. “What are you doing around here anyway?” he demanded “What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!” “What have I done now?”… 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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Love… Lifts Others Up
[Love] does not boast; it is not arrogant or rude. – 1 Corinthians 13:4b (ESV) Love, as Paul describes it, is a force that lifts others up, without lifting itself. It invites us to examine our hearts… do we seek to glorify God and serve others, or are we chasing our own glory? Boasting and… Continue reading
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Love Doesn’t Stay Quiet
Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. – Proverbs 27:5-6 I knew I had a drinking problem. And a majority of my “friends” that I hang out with at the time knew I was struggling with alcoholism also. But only one of them… Continue reading
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Bruised Reeds and Smoldering Wicks
“Let your gentleness be evident to all.”– Philippians 4:5a Gentleness isn’t weakness, it’s strength under control. It’s choosing kindness when you could demand your way. It’s responding with patience instead of becoming irritated. Paul’s words remind us that our faith should be visible in how we treat people. The way we speak, how we handle… 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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Beware, My Prideful Heart…
“Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call ‘humble’ nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is a nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful,… Continue reading
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Love in Action
“I’d rather see a good sermon than hear one any day.” – Edward A. Guest The small church had never been this full. Every pew was packed, people stood along the walls, and some even gathered in the back. It seemed like the whole town had come to say goodbye to Mr. Williams. Most people… Continue reading
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A Good (But Dangerous) Prayer
Search me, God, and know my heart;test me and know my anxious thoughts.See if there is any offensive way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting.– Psalm 139:23-24 David was a man after God’s own heart, yet he knew his own heart was not always pure. He was committed to following God’s ways, but… Continue reading
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The Farmer’s Trade
They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. – Romans 1:25 Old Henry had worked the land his whole life. From the time he was a boy, he knew that if he wanted something, he had to earn it. His… Continue reading
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Thinking Like Jesus
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 2:5 (NKJV) There are days when my thoughts get the better of me – when pride, impatience, or self-interest creeps in before I even realize it. Then I read this verse and it stops me in my tracks. Am I really… Continue reading
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The Greatest in the Kingdom
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of… Continue reading
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Seeing Our Work as Worship
Do you sometimes feel like nobody cares about all the work you do? Ever feel unnoticed and unappreciated? It’s tough, isn’t it? You work hard, whether it’s at your job, in your family, or even in serving others, and sometimes it feels like no one even notices. Maybe you’ve thought, “Why am I putting in… Continue reading
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What is Your “Field”?
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.– Matthew 13:44 There’s something about a treasure hunt that captures the imagination. We picture maps, riddles, and the thrill 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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The Strength to Let it Go
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.– Proverbs 19:11 When we’re hurt or offended, our natural response is to often lash out or stew in bitterness. But Proverbs 19:11 reminds us that patience, rooted in wisdom, leads us to something greater: the ability to let go. Overlooking an… 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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Be Careful, Or The Lord Might Undress You Too!
So David escaped and went to Ramah to see Samuel, and he told him all that Saul had done to him. Then Samuel took David with him to live at Naioth. When the report reached Saul that David was at Naioth in Ramah, he sent troops to capture him. But when they arrived and saw… Continue reading
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Holding On Until the Blessing Comes
So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob… Continue reading
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The Joyful, Humble Heart of a True Servant
When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, “Come in and eat with me?” No, he says, “Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.” And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was… Continue reading
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Upward and Onward
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is… Continue reading
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Hard Conversations Taste Better When Seasoned with Salt
“Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” – Ephesians 4:15 To speak the truth without love can wound deeply, but love without truth lacks substance and direction. When we blend the two – truth and love –… 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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A Debt He Did Not Owe
After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the… 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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How About Your Self-Confidence?
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” Jesus answered, “I tell you,… 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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No Prior Experience Required
“God chooses the humble, the lowly, the meek, and the weak so that there’s never any question about the source of power when their lives change the world. It’s not the man; it’s the truth of God and the power of God in the man.” – John MacArthur, Twelve Ordinary Men When Jesus chose his… Continue reading
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The Ultimate GPS: God’s Positioning System
There is a way that appears to be right,but in the end it leads to death. – Proverbs 14:12 Have you ever made a decision that seemed perfectly reasonable at the time, only to later discover it led you down the wrong path? Proverbs 14:12 warns us about this very thing – a way that… 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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Responding to Correction
“Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.” Proverbs 27:6 We often seek out friends who are kind, supportive, and affirming. But true friendship goes beyond just making us feel good; it also involves being honest, even when the truth hurts. In the passage above, Solomon reminds us that a… Continue reading
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Fear, Pride, And Deadly Schemes
Then Saul told his men to say to David, “The king really likes you, and so do we. Why don’t you accept the king’s offer and become his son-in-law?” When Saul’s men said these things to David, he replied, “How can a poor man from a humble family afford the bride price for the daughter… Continue reading
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When The Evidence is Undeniable
When Samuel reached him, Saul said, “The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD’s instructions.” But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?” Saul answered, “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep… 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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Enormous Grief to Enormous Compassion
“As soon as he heard the news….” – Matt. 13:14 NLT I was sober for a number of years and had been through a lot of ups and downs during that time. But nothing would prepare me for what I would be forced to do on the afternoon of June 28th of last year. As… Continue reading
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The Power of Positive Shrinking
Legendary golfer Ben Hogan was once asked by a newspaper reporter, “Ben, what do you look for when you’re looking to hire a new caddie?” Ben took a draw from his trademark Chesterfield cigarette and tersely replied, “Three things: Show up, keep up, and shut up.” Although Hogan had a reputation in the media for… Continue reading
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The Fruit of Gentleness
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”-Matt 11:28-30 The Old Testament… Continue reading
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The Problem With Ambition
“They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” But they… Continue reading
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The Kingdom Belongs to Them
People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly… Continue reading
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Three is better than two; two is better than one.
So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms… Continue reading
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Character over Comforts
“Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades… Continue reading
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Two Kinds of Wisdom
“If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s… 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 Does it Mean to be Poor in Spirit?
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Jesus, Matthew 5:3 Poverty of spirit does not mean financial poverty. It has nothing to do with how many stocks and shares I have or how fat my wallet is. Nor does it have anything to do with being poor in… Continue reading
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How Can We Measure the Immeasurable?
Standing on the edge of the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon, I had never felt more insignificant in my entire life. “Surely,” I thought to myself, “Something greater than anything the world has ever seen created this.” It was as though God had taken His finger and created this majestic chasm, this beautiful masterpiece… Continue reading
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God’s Jealous Eye
When a company decides to hire a new talent from the outside instead of promoting someone from within, it can potentially result in increased productivity and a much-needed boost in morale for the entire team. Sometimes all that’s needed to get to the next level is finding the right person who has some fresh ideas… Continue reading
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A Proud Mother’s Awkward Request
Being a good parent isn’t easy. Sometimes our children do and say things that frustrate us and cause us to question our parental abilities. But sometimes they make us proud, too. And when they do, there’s a natural feeling of pride and joy that overcomes us. The day that Jesus was baptized by John the… Continue reading
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The Pharisee Who Prayed to Himself
Jesus said: Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: “I thank you, God, that I am not like other people – cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice… Continue reading
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When We Don’t Like What God Wants Us To Do
“But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord…” Jonah 1:3 If you were God and were searching for a potential candidate to become one of your prophets, you would probably have a list of good qualities that you would require for the position. You’d want someone who… Continue reading
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Admitted to God, Ourselves, and Another Human Being
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. – James 5:16 (NLT) There is nothing easy about the 5th Step in Alcoholics Anonymous. But if we wish to remain sober, we know… 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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We Are Tools in the Hand of God
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10 Samuel Brengle, who was an early Salvation Army official, was once introduced as the, “Great Dr. Brengle.” He later wrote in his diary, “If I appear great in their eyes,… Continue reading
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The Only Things Beneath Us Are Graves
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” – Philippians 2:5-7 (ESV) A large group… Continue reading
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Thinking of Ourselves Less
“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others.… Continue reading
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Where Credit is Due
“It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me… Continue reading
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The Foolishness of Pride
“For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another.” – Isaiah 48:11 (NIV) Charles Spurgeon once said, “There is nothing the human heart falls into as easily as pride, and yet there is no sin that is more… Continue reading
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Holy Week: Maundy Thursday
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. – John 13:34 To love others was not a new commandment (Lev. 19-18), but to love others as much as Christ loved others was revolutionary. Now Jesus is telling us to “up… 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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The Catch of a Lifetime
“When Jesus had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” – Luke 5:4-5 Peter’s livelihood… Continue reading
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Discovering God’s Purpose: Identify and Use Your Gifts
“In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is… Continue reading
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Discovering God’s Purpose: Be a Humble Servant!
“Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.” – Romans 12:3 (NLT) Paul recognized the importance of a healthy self-esteem, and… Continue reading
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The Parable of The Rich Young Lady
” A rich young woman sat beside a poor elderly man on a plane. She abruptly alerted the flight attendant upon taking her seat, “Please, find me another seat immediately.” The flight attendant answered warmly, “I’m sorry Ma’am, but the economy cabin is fully booked.” The rich woman replied, “But I’m not going to travel… Continue reading
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Clean Hands Won’t Help an Unclean Tongue.
“Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” ~ Matthew 15:10-11 The Pharisees confronted Jesus one afternoon to complain about his disciples. v2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the… Continue reading
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Don’t Click Send
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13 I was upset. A friend I’d known for many years said something incredibly hurtful. Immediately we became involved in a heated discussion and the both of us began making a… Continue reading
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A Double Life Leads to Death
“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.” ~ Proverbs 11:3 “He was a quiet guy, but he always seemed friendly when we would see him out.” This is such a common description we hear by the neighbors of someone who has committed a heinous crime. He seemed… Continue reading
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Gracefully Unforgettable
“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” ~ Isaiah 43:25 I was at a recovery meeting years ago, and the guest speaker that evening wasn’t aware that he only had 30 minutes to narrate his personal story of recovery from alcoholism. I… Continue reading
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Cultivating a Servant’s Heart
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”… Continue reading
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Who is ‘That’ Friend?
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” ~ Proverbs 17:17 Friends will come and go, but somewhere in our inner circle is that one person who we trust more than all the rest… our go-to, that person who God has put in our lives to share… 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 