“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities.” ~Apostle Paul
The main thing: God is God. God is in control. I don’t get that some days. What about that jerk …
Category Archives: Vault
“You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it.” ~James, brother of Jesus
Wars and violence come from greed. I need to understand that. What I see going on is a spiritual problem …
“Stop turning my Father’s house into a shopping mall!” ~Jesus
I am stunned by what Jesus does and speaks. I must admit, I like some of the churches that seemed …
What is the strange thing about wanting to control what is going on with others walk with Jesus?
There is a strange thing about wanting to control what is going on with others. I become very critical. Suspiciously …
“Stand up, God; pit your holy fury against my furious enemies.” ~King David
God is in control. God is judge. No one can pull the wool over his eyes. Jesus has agreed to …
"Christ the Lord is risen today, Sons of men and angels say. Raise your joys and triumphs high; Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply." ~Charles Wesley
The message we proclaim is that Jesus, the Messiah, died and was resurrected. We can’t deviate from that good news. …
“Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s country.” ~Jesus
Remember the song: “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so”? The simple song of a …
“Blessed is the man who trusts me.” ~God
God’s goal for me is to trust him. I need to change my mind (repent) about who is in control …
Is it all about the messenger or Jesus the Messiah?
There is the messenger. He is delivering the message. Who are the followers following? The messenger or Jesus. Some questions …
“Select a lamb for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb.” ~Moses
Chag Sameach! May the God of Israel bless you! Exodus 12:21-23 The Message (MSG) Moses assembled all the elders of Israel. …
“There will be lying religious teachers among you.” ~Apostle Peter
Being a religious teacher doesn’t mean you are telling the truth about Jesus. This stuns me but I must learn …
“But what happens when we live God’s way?” ~Apostle Paul
My challenge is to live God’s way. Many times I don’t want to but it isn’t about what I want. …
“We need to decide when our brothers and sisters are out of line and, if necessary, clean house.” ~Apostle Paul
I must be a witness to the good news that Jesus offers to everyone, no matter their background. I am …
To Do List for today
What is God’s goal for me today? Embrace God-confidence Do number 1 some more Let’s see if I can get …
"Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass." ~Jesus
Jesus turns my world upside down. That is the way Jesus is. When I followed Jesus, He made me a new person. The way I had always …
“There are a lot of smooth-talking charlatans loose in the world who refuse to believe that Jesus the Messiah was truly human, a flesh-and-blood human being.” ~Apostle John
As a follower of Jesus the Messiah, I have to be careful. There are ministers who are charlatans and frauds. …
“Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.” ~Apostle Paul (Philippians 2)
Following Jesus should make a difference in how I live my life. I need to have a heart and care …
“No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm.” ~Apostle Peter
There is something in my nature about wanting to get even. That is a part of our culture. We see it …
“We beg you, please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us.” ~Apostle Paul
I have a choice to make today. It may not be an easy one. It may involve some pain for …
Why don’t I do something about changing things I know are important to Jesus?
What do I want to be different in my life? Actually, there are lots of things. I must admit it …
“And whoever touched him was healed.” ~Apostle Matthew
Matthew faithfully records how Jesus affected people. When they knew he was around, they knew he would heal the sick. …
"Quiet! Get out of him!" ~Jesus to the demons in a man
Jesus has authority over everything. To the demons He says “Get out” and they do. They know who Jesus is. …
“Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine.” ~Apostle Paul
I have a job. Jesus has given it to me. I must be faithful in fulfilling it. I can’t shirk …
“God wasn’t attracted to you and didn’t choose you because you were big and important.” ~Moses
I shouldn’t think too much of myself. There is nothing there to see of importance. I know that but I …
"When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges me to do things differently than the way people of this world do things. He is not subtle at …
“So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk.” ~Apostle Peter
The culture of this world is full of malice, pretense, envy and hurting others. It can fill my life with …
“Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!” ~King Solomon
I like to think I know a lot. Some days, I think I know it all. I don’t know very …
"Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot." ~King David
King David knew what was important in life. His passion was for God’s word. Nothing delighted him more that to …
“If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face.” ~Jesus
I must not see myself as more important than others. That kind of pride will get me nowhere in God’s world. …
“No one’s ever so much as imagined anything quite like it— What God has arranged for those who love him.” ~Apostle Paul
I think I know it all. I am very confident about what the future holds for me. But can I out imagine …
“The first thing I want you to do is pray.” ~Apostle Paul
God wants me to pray. I need to have a conversation with God but I definitely need to listen. God …
"Believe me, woman, the time is coming when you Samaritans will worship the Father neither here at this mountain nor there in Jerusalem." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges me to know that worship isn’t going to church or any specific location. It isn’t where I worship; Baptist Church, …
“I have to write begging that you fight with everything you have in you for this faith entrusted to us as a gift to guard and cherish.” ~Jude
Jesus is my Master and the Messiah (anointed one of God). It is a gift from Jesus that I am …
“Listen carefully to what I am saying—and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world on your own.” ~Jesus
Jesus challenges me to understand that the light he has given to me is for shining not hiding. I am …
“I don’t think the way you think.” ~God
God is God. I am so appreciative of that fact. God doesn’t think the way I think. God doesn’t act …
“But you walked away from your first love—why?” ~Jesus
I must work hard for Jesus. I must not quit. I must labor for the Messiah. I must persist and …
"You’re more than happy (blessed) when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for." ~Jesus
Jesus, the Messiah, demands that I care. He insists on it if I want to live in His world. Being full of …
"Those who have lived the right way will walk out into a resurrection Life." ~~Jesus
Jesus knows about judgment. His Father has given Him the authority to judge us. God has also demonstrated the power of …
“The Message bears fruit and gets larger and stronger, just as it has in you.” ~Apostle Paul
I understand the Message of Good News. Jesus, sent by his Father, is the ultimate messenger of how good God is. …
“When the Messiah died he took that entire rule-dominated way of life down with him and left it in the tomb, leaving you free.” ~Apostle Paul
I have died with the Messiah Jesus. I am free from living a “rule-dominated” life. That way of life is …
Celebrating Maundy Thursday
It is Holy Thursday. Spending time today reflecting on that day and evening before the Crucifixion of our Master Jesus, …
“What kind of action suits the Sabbath best? Doing good or doing evil? Helping people or leaving them helpless?”~~Jesus
It was the Sabbath. The religious leaders of the day are watching Jesus. Will he heal the man with the …
“If you make Insight your priority, before you know it Fear-of-God will be yours.” ~King Solomon
I have priorities. I have plans. I love to plan. But, do I have the right priorities? There is a …
“I don’t have a nickel to my name, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus the Messiah of Nazareth, walk!” ~Apostle Peter
I may not have a lot but I have the power of God. Jesus has given me the Holy Spirit. …
“Love cares more for others than for self.” ~Apostle Paul
God is love. He teaches me that the way, primarily, to His love. He loved us so much, He gave …
What does it really mean to live in God’s country with Jesus in charge?
What does the “kingdom of God” really mean? God has a country. It is completely different from the country we live …
"It’s urgent that you listen carefully to this." ~Jesus (3 Radical things to do)
We all want to live. Before Jesus, I was in the world of the dead. I knew it then and I fully understand …
“So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with the Messiah, act like it.” ~Apostle Paul
I must be serious about the resurrection life with Jesus. It isn’t only about what I think but is very …
"What a huge harvest! And how few the harvest hands. So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands." ~~Jesus
Jesus demands that I not worry about anything but having enough people to bring everyone we meet to Him. Jesus came for …
“But you have God-blessed eyes—eyes that see!” ~Jesus
I have been blessed. God has done an amazing thing. It is all the work of Jesus, the Messiah. Jesus …
“May you be content knowing you are a child of God.” ~St. Theresa
This is a great prayer. Simple but focused on God. Peace can be ours. It is ours by knowing who …
“Does God do these things because of your strenuous moral striving or because you trust God to do them in you?” ~Apostle Paul
I can’t do anything, in and of myself, to please God. That is difficult to get in my core some …
"Time’s up! God’s kingdom is here. Change your mind (repent) and believe the Message." ~~Jesus
Do I have enough time? Jesus demands that I understand that time is up. Now is the time. I can’t delay understanding who …
“You’re asking the wrong question.” ~Jesus
I need to change my mind and act differently (repent). I need to ask the right questions. I am clearly …
Will I keep my eye on the goal that Jesus the Messiah has for me?
I need to keep my eyes on the goal that Jesus the Messiah has for me. I want all that God has for …
“Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents.” ~Apostle Paul
I watched what my father did. I now see so many of his traits and expressions as my own. In …
“If we claim that we’re free of missing God’s goal for our life, we’re only fooling ourselves.” ~Apostle John
Am I fooling myself? Sometimes, OK, a lot of the time, I say things that are nonsense. When I do, …
“Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God.” ~King Solomon
Wisdom teaches me that everything starts with God. I can’t be wise until I know God is God and God …
“Unless you turn to God, you, too, will die.” ~Jesus
Jesus is clear that bad things happen to good people. That isn’t the issue. Jesus is focused on letting me …
I am held accountable to Jesus, and it is a good thing!!!
God is good and He is in a great mood. This is nothing to take lightly. I know it and I …
“So don’t be embarrassed to speak up for our Master Jesus.” ~Apostle Paul
I must not be embarrassed. Jesus is my Master. I must speak up for Jesus. I must speak up for …
"Take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom." ~~Jesus
Jesus demands that we take His way seriously. There is nothing frivolous about it at all. My job, my mission, …
“Every time your name comes up in my prayers, I say, ‘Oh, thank you, God!’ ” ~Apostle Paul
I need to thank God for my brothers and sisters in the faith of our Master Jesus. When I don’t …
You were given this new life in God. With Jesus, you are strong enough to live it.
We are born. And then, some of us are born again. I have a new life in Jesus. I can be strong …
“God always keeps his word.” ~Author of Hebrews
Jesus has made the perfect sacrifice for us. Jesus has taken care of the “missing God’s goal” (sin) problem completely. …
“So how should I prepare to come to you?” ~Apostle Paul
Others get to decide how I will come to them. It is their actions that determine that. Will I come as disciplinarian? …
“Whoever mocks poor people insults their Creator; gloating over misfortune is a punishable crime.” ~King Solomon
Jesus was clear that we will always have poor people with us. We always have. We always will. Jesus challenges …
Is there a difference between being a Christian and a Christ (Messiah) follower?
There is definitely a difference in being a “christian” and being a “Christ (Messiah) follower”. Did Jesus ever ask anyone …
“Friends, don’t complain about each other.” ~James, brother of Jesus
I complain about others. It isn’t very pretty or becoming. I am ashamed when I think about it. Many times, …
“Other seed fell in rich earth and produced a bumper crop.” ~Jesus
Jesus loved to tell stories. This one was about the farmer who planted seeds for his crop. But not all …
“Give the government what is theirs, and give God what is his.” ~Jesus
It is important for me not to confuse my obligations to my country and my obligations to God. God expects …
“Jesus the Messiah rescued us from this evil world we’re in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our missing God’s goal.” ~Apostle Paul
I was in big trouble. I didn’t feel God’s love. I didn’t know how to love. I missed God’s goal for my life. Over …
“On the other hand, perhaps it is new, freshly minted as it is in both the Messiah and you—the darkness on its way out and the True Light already blazing!” ~~Apostle John
I like hearing about the “new thing”. What is the shiny new object? Truth is not new. Truth is eternal. …
“I don’t condemn you. Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.” ~Jesus
I get caught in the act of missing God’s goal for my life (sinning). It happens way too often. The …
“God picked you out as his from the very start.” ~Apostle Paul
I should never lack for anything to pray about. I can thank God, all day long, for my family, friends, …
“At last God has heard my sobs.” ~King David
I have troubles. I feel like God has punished me. I have been taken to the woodshed, I think. I …
What is God up to? When you’re down to nothing God’s up to Something!
Here is a truth I need to remember. When there’s NOTHING left I can do about a situation I need to remember …
“God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course.” ~King David
There is a lot to be said for staying the course with God. He certainly never abandons me. May I not abandon …
“The person who obeys my heavenly Father’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” ~Jesus
Family is important. We think it is the most important thing. Jesus challenges me to understand that the most important …
“Don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith .” ~Apostle Peter
God has a goal for us. God, through his victorious son Jesus, wants us to build on the foundation of …
“Love means following his commandments, and his unifying commandment is that you conduct your lives in love.” ~Apostle John
I must be diligent in living out the truth of God’s commandment. I must be consistent and not waiver. I …
“Abraham was now an old man.” ~Moses
There are a lot of stories in the Old Testament about amazing men of God. One common theme in many …
“Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word.” ~King Solomon
I love to plan. It is a passion of mine. It is comforting to me. It provides me the illusion …
“I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best.” ~Apostle Paul
When I have changed my mind (repented), I need to fill my mind with the right things. What should I …
“Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that’s what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions.” ~Apostle Paul
There is a main thing. I need to be clear about what it is. Ignorance, in this regard, is not …
“My aim is to raise hopes by pointing the way to life without end.” ~Apostle Paul
I am God’s slave. Jesus is my Master and he owns me. This has happened because of what Jesus did …
“That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large.” ~Jesus
God’s goal for me is to pray and have faith in him. I should talk with God about everything. I should be in complete …
“God the Father has his eye on each of you.” ~Apostle Peter
God has given me an assignment. Jesus personally has a mission for me. I must focus on knowing what it is …
“I’m so grateful to the Messiah Jesus for making me adequate to do this work.” ~Apostle Paul
Gratitude goes a long way. The Messiah is the one who makes us adequate to do anything. It isn’t about …
“The person who does evil falsifies God, doesn’t know the first thing about God.” ~Apostle John
There is good. We all know it and point it out. We try to be better people and be good …
“Congenial conversation—what a pleasure! The right word at the right time—beautiful!” ~King Solomon
God’s goal for us is that our conversations are pleasant. Arguing and fights aren’t what he has in mind. Love …
“Relax, everything’s going to be all right; rest, everything’s coming together; open your hearts, love is on the way!” ~Jude, brother to Jesus
Imagine growing up with Jesus as your brother. You saw him up close and personal. I’m thinking you have a pretty …
“It’s your time—it’s always your time; you have nothing to lose.” ~Jesus
It is easy to make suggestions for others to follow. The brothers of Jesus thought they had a clever idea. …
“Far better to take refuge in God than trust in celebrities.” ~King David
Who do I trust? When I need help, who do I call? If I need some money to get me …
“King-God, I need your help.” ~King David
King David, in his wisdom, pleads for God to pay attention. David knows he isn’t making any sense. I know …
“I’m speaking to you as dear friends.” ~Jesus
Jesus considers us friends. Jesus wants to confide with me. Jesus has some things he wants me to know. Jesus …
“Seek good and not evil — and live!” ~Amos
Jesus challenges me to live like my faith means something. My faith must be lived out in love. I must have a …
“The news of your faith in God is out.” ~Apostle Paul
You pick up the paper. You are the headline. Your faith in Jesus is the front-page headline. Your life is …
“Here’s the reward I have for every conqueror.” ~Jesus
We live a life building on what we’ve been given, complementing our basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate …
“So what do we do? Keep on missing God’s goal (sin) so God can keep on forgiving?” ~Apostle Paul
I live in a new country now. I live in the country governed by God. Jesus is in charge of God’s …
Jesus Quotes and God Thoughts 