2 Corinthians 6:1 “As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.” How could we forget to access something so powerful? Why do we struggle far longer than we need to? Where did we get the idea that our need for grace stopped at the cross? Continue Reading…
Romans 5:18 “Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.” The first week of the new year has provided the following: A frozen pipe threatening to release an unwanted gush of water into our upstairs bedroom. A dishwasher Continue Reading…
2 Corinthians 2:7 “Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.” How do we respond to weak believers? Do we throw them under the bus or extend an olive branch? “All we are saying… is give peace a chance…” Continue Reading…
1 Corinthians 13:13 “But the greatest of these is love.” Author Bob Goff writes, “The way we love the people we don’t agree with is the best evidence that the tomb is really empty.” Ouch! It doesn’t take much insight to see how division is running rampant in our country Continue Reading…
Psalm 39:5 “…Each man’s life is but a breath.” As we stopped at the head of our driveway coming home from the hospital, my eyes welled with tears. It had been six days earlier, at 3:30 AM, when we raced out the lane headed for the Emergency Room. We had Continue Reading…
Genesis 28:16 “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” Jacob knew it was time to get out of Dodge. He had deceived his brother Esau and stolen his blessing as the firstborn. Esau vowed to kill him. So he fled. He headed for his Continue Reading…
Ecclesiastes 3:11 “He has made everything beautiful in its time….” I’m a firm believer beauty has a way of stimulating us toward a more generous thought life. It lifts us above the petty and connects us with Something bigger. I think that accounts for what happened to me in the Continue Reading…
Galatians 6:1 “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” Cheap grace says, “I don’t care if you drink that poison, I love you anyway.” True grace says, “I Continue Reading…
Psalm 8:4 “what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? [ESV] The exact same words. The exact opposite meaning. The question…why me? can be asked in one of two ways. The two ways stand miles apart. In fact, you might Continue Reading…
Galatians 1:10 “If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” “You don’t have to try so hard; you don’t have to give it all away….You don’t have to try, try, try, try, try….” The lyrics streaming over the radio caught my attention. Continue Reading…