Love
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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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Becoming Hard to Hate
“When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them.” Proverbs 16:7 Isn’t life so much more enjoyable when we’re at peace with God? We’re not in such a hurry. We don’t have nearly as much stress. We ignore the little things that normally bother us. We’re much more patient with… Continue reading
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The Comfort of Covenant Love
May your unfailing love be my comfort,according to your promise to your servant. – Psalm 119:76 There are days when God feels silent, when prayers seem to echo off the ceiling and peace feels just out of reach. In those moments, comfort can feel like a distant dream. We want relief. We want clarity. We… 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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A Hard Truth Followed by an Irrevocable Promise
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 When someone makes a promise to you, do you take that person at their word and trust that they’ll follow through? Or do you treat them… 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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Ain’t It Good to Know You’ve Got a Friend?
I was listening to this song today while driving. It’s an old James Taylor song – one of those songs with beautiful lyrics that cause you to think of someone special in your life: When you’re down and troubledAnd you need a helping handAnd nothing, nothing is going rightClose your eyes and think of meAnd… Continue reading
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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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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
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!