Obedience
-
While You’re Waiting…
“After the Lord was taken up into heaven, there was a brief period of waiting. The place of the traitor Judas was filled, but nothing else seems to have been done. No signs of power just yet! Just a little company of plain men and women, meeting for prayer in an upper room! But that… Continue reading
-
The Spiritual Danger of Hurried Living
Saul stayed at Gilgal, and his men were trembling with fear. Saul waited there seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him earlier, but Samuel still didn’t come. Saul realized that his troops were rapidly slipping away. So he demanded, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!” And Saul sacrificed the burnt… Continue reading
-
We Are Hopeless Without Jesus!
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. – James 4:17 I believe Jesus’ parable about The Good Samaritan is a pretty accurate illustration of what James is talking about here. We have the priest who saw the wounded man. Then the Levite saw… Continue reading
-
Sent to Speak, Called to Obey
The man of God said, “I cannot turn back and go with you, nor can I eat bread or drink water with you in this place. I have been told by the word of the Lord: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water there or return by the way you came.’” The old prophet… Continue reading
-
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
-
What’s For Dinner, Moses?
Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk. – Exodus 23:19b When you sit down to eat a meal that someone else cooked, do you ever think about how the meal was prepared? What other ingredients were used? Where the food came from, or the culture it originated from? Unless we have a… Continue reading
-
Every Day is His Day
In the Old Testament, the Sabbath was a gift God gave to Israel. It was part of the Law given through Moses – a covenant sign between the Lord and His chosen nation. The Sabbath is Saturday, the seventh day of the week, and it’s never been changed. It belonged to Israel under the old… Continue reading
-
One Plow, Two Paths
Two friends decided to go into business together. One loved the Lord. The other did not. They shook hands, pooled their money, and signed a contract. At first, the business prospered. But then decisions became challenging. The unbelieving friend wanted the store open on Sundays.“Foot traffic is highest,” he said. “We can’t afford to close.”… Continue reading
-
Confession is Essential
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9 John doesn’t allow much room for pretending, does he. “If we claim… Continue reading
-
Genesis 46: Family Reunion
So Israel set out with all that was his, and when he reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!” “Here I am,” he replied. “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not… Continue reading
-
Delightful Obedience
[Saul said] “Tell David that all I want for the bride price is 100 Philistine foreskins! Vengeance on my enemies is all I really want.” But what Saul had in mind was that David would be killed in the fight. David was delighted to accept the offer. – 1 Samuel 18:25-26a (NLT) This account in… Continue reading
-
Finding Hope in a Place You Didn’t Choose
So I was reading Jeremiah 29 the other night, and something jumped out at me almost immediately. Despite Israel being under God’s judgment – despite Jerusalem falling, the temple being destroyed, and people forcibly carried off into Babylon – God tells the exiles to… enjoy life. Go ahead and build houses. Plant your gardens. Get married and have… Continue reading
-
They Thought They Were Increasing Their Tax Base
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. – Luke 2:1-3 Luke tells us that just before Jesus was born, Caesar… Continue reading
-
God Shows Up Unannounced
[The angel said to Zechariah] “Behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”– Luke 1:20 An angel appears to Zechariah, a priest who has been faithful for years, and tells him his… Continue reading
-
Sometimes it Takes Faith to Do Nothing
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. – Psalm 37:7 Yesterday we talked about how fear can keep us stuck in our safe routines and convince us that staying put is the safer way to go. We looked at the one-talent servant who let fear bury what God had given him instead… Continue reading
-
The One-Talent Servant
Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. “Master,” he said, “I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs… Continue reading
-
For Such a Time as This
When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s… Continue reading
-
Mercy and Justice: Was Shimei’s Death Justified?
“And remember, you have with you Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, who called down bitter curses on me the day I went to Mahanaim. When he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD: ‘I will not put you to death by the sword.’ But… Continue reading
-
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
-
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
-
God’s Global Positioning System
Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon. – Acts 9:43 My wife is currently traveling abroad on a women’s ministry trip. And to be upfront about it, when she first mentioned this to me and where she would be going several months ago, I wasn’t too keen on the idea.… Continue reading
-
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
-
In Old Testament News: Nation Rejoices as Forty-Year-Old King Dies; No Funeral Planned
Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He passed away, to no one’s regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings. – 2 Chronicles 21:20 Obituary for Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat It is with a distinct lack… Continue reading
-
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
-
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
-
How’s The Weather?
One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.– Luke 8:22-23… Continue reading
-
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
-
Tread Carefully
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.… Continue reading
-
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
-
God Won’t Share His Throne
“Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land.” – Deut. 6:14-15 God isn’t casual about your loyalty. He’s not okay… Continue reading
-
Seeking the Father’s Will
I do not seek my own will but the will of the Father who sent me. – John 5:30 (NKJV) Jesus lived his life fully surrendered to the will of His Father. He didn’t act on His own desires or ambitions, but aligned every decision with God’s purpose. What an impossible standard that is for… Continue reading
-
The Lord Remembers
Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the Lord.” Then they would go home. And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the… Continue reading
-
Keep Striking
Elisha said, “Get a bow and some arrows,” and he did so. “Take the bow in your hands,” he said to the king of Israel. When he had taken it, Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. “Open the east window,” he said, and he opened it. “Shoot!” Elisha said, and he shot. “The… Continue reading
-
Trusting the Potter’s Hands
“You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, ‘He did not make me’; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, ‘He has no understanding‘?” – Isaiah 29:16 (ESV) The people of Judah had a major problem: outwardly they… Continue reading
-
It Was Definitely a Buyer’s Market
Jeremiah said, “The word of the LORD came to me: Behold, Hanamel the son of Shallum your uncle will come to you and say, Buy my field that is at Anathoth, for the right of redemption by purchase is yours.’ Then Hanamel my cousin came to me in the court of the guard, in accordance… Continue reading
-
Knowledge Alone Ain’t Enough
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 Have you ever been so close to something that you couldn’t actually see it? Back in the early… Continue reading
-
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
-
Do Not Be Afraid!
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching… Continue reading
-
A Message From Jesus To The Lone Christian Family Member: You’re Not Alone!
Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.” Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then… Continue reading
-
What’s Your Attraction?
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.” – John 6:26 Picture this: you’re trapped in a dull, generic office. Across from you, a salesman is talking a mile a minute, pitching the idea that you… Continue reading
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Is It True?
Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up?” – Dan. 3:14 Reading Daniel this morning and coming across this verse, I couldn’t help but think about that same question that was asked of Peter the… Continue reading
-
The Danger of Criticism
Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power… Continue reading
-
Trusting God in The Silence
“Do not be deceived, Wormwood. Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy’s will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys.” – C.S. Lewis,… Continue reading
-
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
-
Saul Makes His Men Hangry
“Now the Israelites were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath, saying, “Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!” So none of the troops tasted food.” – 1 Samuel 14:24 It was yet another foolish decision, one that was… Continue reading
-
Deaf Ears and Detestable Prayers
If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.Proverbs 28:9 The Lord desires a relationship with us that is rooted in love and obedience. When we seek to understand and follow His law, our prayers reflect a heart that is in tune with His will. It’s not about perfection, but… Continue reading
-
God’s Unseen Hand
Esther was taken to King Xerxes at the royal palace in early winter of the seventh year of his reign. And the king loved Esther more than any of the other young women. He was so delighted with her that he set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen instead of Vashti.… Continue reading
-
Be Careful What You Wish For
As Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons to be judges over Israel. Joel and Abijah, his oldest sons, held court in Beersheba. But they were not like their father, for they were greedy for money. They accepted bribes and perverted justice. Finally, all the elders of Israel met at Ramah to discuss the matter… Continue reading
-
Outward Signs of Inward Faith
“What makes you think I want all your sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am sick of your burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened cattle. I get no pleasure from the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to worship me, who asked you to parade through my courts with… Continue reading
-
The Lord of Deliverance
LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him. ” But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I… Continue reading
-
What Does it Mean to Grieve the Holy Spirit?
Did you know that the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, has a personality? He has the ability to feel joy, sorrow, and anger just like we do. Given that God sees each Christian as His holy temple and has given them His Spirit to dwell inside them, we believers are to live… Continue reading
-
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
-
A Courageous Response
“But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.” – Daniel 6:10 (NLT) When he won the gold medal… Continue reading
-
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
-
Getting to the Root of the Problem
“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the… Continue reading
-
The Word is a Weapon
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. – 2 Corinthians 10:5 A few weeks ago while I was waiting in the doctor’s office, I was reading an article in one of the health magazines from… Continue reading
-
Teach Your Children Well
Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of a hundred and ten. And they buried him in the land of his inheritance, at Timnath Heres in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up… Continue reading
-
Do You Ever Feel Forgotten?
“The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.” – Gen. 40:23 Do you sometimes go through periods in your life where you feel unappreciated, perhaps even unnoticed? Like everything you do seems to matter to no one? Maybe sometimes even wondering if perhaps even God has completely forgotten about you? Maybe you’re… Continue reading
-
Are You Willing?
52 When Abraham’s servant heard what they said, he bowed down to the ground before the Lord. 53 Then the servant brought out gold and silver jewelry and articles of clothing and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave costly gifts to her brother and to her mother. 54 Then he and the men who… Continue reading
-
He’s Always Closer Than We Think
“My complaint today is still a bitter one, and I try hard not to groan aloud. If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his court. I would lay out my case and present my arguments. Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me. Would… Continue reading
-
Like a Star in the Sky
“Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They… Continue reading
-
Struggling with Priorities? Remember the Timber.
Life bombards us with pressures and tasks from all directions. Call this person. Make this appointment. Take the dog to the vet. Finish this project today. Attend this meeting. Everyone wants something from us – family, friends, employer. With little time and energy, we find ourselves racing through life trying to attend to all of… Continue reading
-
Avoiding the Drift to Enmity Toward God
Just as a boat without an anchor becomes subjected to the laws of the sea, so too is the unanchored soul who subjects himself to the whims of the world. And yet as Christians we are called to live and serve God in a fallen world where corruption and sin abounds. The apostle James issued… Continue reading
-
He Ran Straight into the Arms of Trouble
“But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” – James 1: 14-15 When I read these two verses from the Book of James, I immediately think… Continue reading
-
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
-
Wisdom Without Action is Wasted
“Now, Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! Give me an understanding heart so… Continue reading
-
Reruns and Breadcrumbs
As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now… Continue reading
-
Put God in Charge of Your Planning Committee
“Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:6 NLT Solomon tells us in the text above that if we are to know which path to take, we are to seek God’s will in all that we do; to turn every area of our life over… Continue reading
-
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
-
A Man on the Run
The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked Jonah, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?” He replied, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon… Continue reading
-
When Belated Rewards are the Greatest Rewards
That night the king had trouble sleeping, so he ordered an attendant to bring the book of the history of his reign so it could be read to him. In those records he discovered an account of how Mordecai had exposed the plot of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the door… Continue reading
-
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
-
When You Can’t Escape God’s Favor
“Potiphar was furious when he heard his wife’s story about how Joseph had treated her. So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained. But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. The Lord made Joseph a… Continue reading
-
Thinking Our Way Out of Temptation
“No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13… Continue reading
-
Something Worth Remembering: God Created You
“Remember these things, Jacob, for you, Israel, are my servant. I have made you, you are my servant; Israel, I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” – Isaiah 44:21-22 (NIV) I read a recent… Continue reading
-
A Pastor Resigns
Acts 20:20-21 – “I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike – the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.” We finished singing the hymns… Continue reading
-
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
-
A Spirit Renewed
Psalm 51:12 “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and make me willing to obey you.” Something ain’t right. I feel off. I have no spiritual energy and I’m just going through the motions. The people around me can sense that something’s awry. “You don’t seem like yourself. Everything okay? What’s going on?” I… Continue reading
-
Joshua’s Example
“When the people heard the sound of the rams’ horns, they shouted as loud as they could. Suddenly, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the town and captured it.” – Joshua 6:20 Sometimes God will intentionally put you in a situation that requires you to come face-to-face with your need… Continue reading
-
When God Does Some of His Best Work
“Do not be deceived, Wormwood. Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy’s will, looks round upon a universe, from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys.” – C.S. Lewis… Continue reading
-
Integrity Gives Birth to Security
“So Pharaoh asked them, ‘Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the Spirit of God?’” – Genesis 41:38 Joseph was given the task of overseeing Pharaoh’s administration of Egypt. It is a position of much responsibility, and also one that places Joseph in a position of tremendous influence. Joseph’s appointment to… Continue reading
-
Nine out of Ten Lions Prefer Satrap Succotash Over Jewish Jambalaya
“At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.” – Daniel 6:4 King Darius liked Daniel. And for good reason.… Continue reading
-
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
-
There May Be A Few Speed Bumps Along the Way…
… but in the end, it all works out the way it’s supposed to. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28 Joseph experienced a lot of bad things. He was rejected by his brothers,… Continue reading
-
Defining Moments
“But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works. – Psalm 77: 11-12 My hands were shaking, and I instinctively backed away. “You can do this,” I said under my breath. “You’ve… Continue reading
-
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
-
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
-
Discovering God’s Purpose: Be Different!
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers…” – Psalm 1:1 He was faced with only two options: abandon his ministry and take an oath of allegiance to Hitler, or surely be thrown into prison.… Continue reading
-
Discovering God’s Purpose: Making Ourselves Available
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Romans 12:1 (NLT) When sacrificing an animal according… Continue reading
-
Counting the Days
“When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf….” ~ Genesis 8:11 After Noah gathered the animals and his family inside the ark that the Lord commanded him to build, the sky turned into a torrential waterfall for the next 40 days. Moses records that… Continue reading
-
Keep Moving Forward
“I, Daniel, was worn out. I lay exhausted for several days. Then I got up and went about the king’s business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding. ~ Daniel 8:27 Are you tired and weary from the busyness of life? Have you been besieged, day after day, by problems and bad… Continue reading
-
Don’t Get Ahead of God
“There are known knowns; things we know that we know. There are known unknowns; things we know that we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns – things we do not know that we don’t know.” ~ Donald Rumsfeld It didn’t happen overnight. But slowly and gradually, God’s freedom poured over me. It went… Continue reading
-
God Lets us Fail Sometimes
When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord bring defeat on us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh, so that he may go with us and save us from the hands of our enemies.” ~ 1 Samuel 4:3 “Whose… 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 