Jesus expects that I have an attitude of gratitude
Jesus is direct and straightforward. Jesus expects that I have an attitude of gratitude. My choice today is obey Jesus …
Category Archives: Vault
"Go home. Your son lives." ~~Jesus
You come to Jesus. You beg him to personally come and heal your son who is dying. Jesus puts you …
"Mean-spirited slander is heartless; quiet discretion accompanies good sense." ~~King Solomon
Speaking ill of others, whether it is true or not, is just not God’s way. Jesus summed it up well, …
"Self-help is no help at all." ~~Jesus
God knows us. He knows that we miss His goal for our lives. Jesus challenges us to face up to …
Have I re-calibrated to true North?
I must take time to check with God before I act, speak, or do anything. Great question: Have I re-calibrated …
“God is strong, and he wants you strong.” ~Apostle Paul
Some things are amazingly simple with God. Here is one of them. God is strong. Nothing weak about him at …
"You’re interested in religion, I’m interested in people." ~~Zechariah the Prophet
The people of the town of Bethel sent a delegation to the priests and prophets with a question. They wanted …
"It is a trap to presume that God wants to make us perfect specimens of what He can do— God’s purpose is to make us one with Himself." ~~Oswald Chambers
God has a goal in mind for us. Sometimes goals are framed by what the goal is not. God …
"In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it." ~~Jesus
Wow. Jesus is direct. Grow up!! OK, that makes sense. We can be very childish. We live in God’s World …
"God is faithful even when his children are not." ~~Max Lucado
We get disappointed by others. Perhaps by our father or mother. Could be friend. Could be a spouse. We get …
"Keep your lives simple and honest." ~~God to Zechariah
Jesus summed up what God wants us to do. It was nothing new. God is all about simplicity. God goal …
"You get rid of God’s command so you won’t be inconvenienced in following the religious fashions! " ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges us to obey God and not follow the latest religious fads. God is clear in what He wants …
"When right-living people bless the city, it flourishes; evil talk turns it into a ghost town in no time." ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 11:11)
We can be a blessing to our cities, towns, states and country. When we are right in God, we can …
“Seek God’s right ways. Seek a quiet and disciplined life.” ~Zephaniah
Some days it is just not clear where God is. He doesn’t seem to be anywhere around. Don’t see Him. …
"Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges us to not be deceived by things in this world. In God’s World (Kingdom), you can drink water …
“But God doesn’t lose his temper.” ~Nahum
Sometimes we think of God as we think of ourselves. Big mistake. God is God but His emotions aren’t like ours …
Think about 10 years ago. Is what was average then below average now?
Think about 10 years ago. Is what was average then below average now? Probably. What does that mean to our …
Jesus speaks to the Father in our defense
Jesus speaks to the Father in our defense. Now that is some very powerful good news. We know that we …
"The loose tongue of the godless spreads destruction; the common sense of the godly preserves them." ~King Solomon
The most difficult thing in life to control is our tongue. What we say makes a difference. Words spoken in …
"Keep it simple; you are the equipment." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges us to not get wrapped up in all “stuff” that keeps us from fulfilling His mission for us. …
"If good people barely make it, what’s in store for the bad!" ~~King Solomon
Jesus is straight with us. The way is not easy. He says it over and over. Unfortunately, many in the …
"When the wicked die, that’s it—the story’s over, end of hope." ~~King Solomon
We are a people of hope. We serve a God who gives us hope. We live in the present and …
“Isn’t it obvious that all angels are sent to help out with those lined up to receive salvation?” ~Apostle Paul
I have to say that it hasn’t always been obvious to me that angels are here to help me. There …
“Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you.” ~Zephaniah
What is it about His love? It is so calming. I know Jesus is here to save me. God is so happy …
"Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges not to retaliate. It is in our core, when someone hurts us, to strike back. Jesus has a …
“Provoked to sarcasm, they told Jesus he didn’t know what he was talking about.” ~Mark
Am I the one Jesus brings into the room with Him or am I the one provoked to sarcasm and …
“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!” ~Apostle Paul
I have ideas. I imagine, “what if”. Some of these thoughts seem pretty cool!! Does it seem to be far fetched …
"You ditch God’s command and are just taking up the latest fads." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges the religious to stay focused on God and what He wants. Fads come and go. Jesus and His …
“God has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.” ~Apostle Paul
Now this is something to be thankful for. I am qualified. No doubt about it. God has done it for …
Shouldn’t we be afraid of God?
You know, if you really think about it, we should all be terrified of God. Anybody that can create the …
"I’m telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what’s right in front of you." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges us to see the opportunities right in front of us. We need to see what God is doing …
"A good person is saved from much trouble; a bad person runs straight into it." ~~King Solomon
We are “made good” and whole by Jesus. He alone can do this. And He did. It is done. God …
Our Father would rather do it right than do it quick!
Our Father would rather do it right than do it quick! He is in the “doing it right” business. Now, …
“As for us, there’s no question—we can’t keep quiet about what we’ve seen and heard.” ~Apostle Peter
God is speaking. He is moving. Will I keep quiet about what I have seen and heard? God had used …
"You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges us to live life with Him in charge. Now that is tough because we all like to be …
He whispers to me
The LORD comes to me and whispers to me not to despair. He is present with me. He is here. …
“John’s words that gave strength to the people, words that put heart in them.” ~Luke
John the Baptist was an amazing man of God. His words gave strength to people. His words put heart in …
"Live out your God-created identity." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges us to be the person God wants us to be. It is not about us or our unique …
“A wise heart takes orders; an empty head will come unglued.” ~~King Solomon
We live in a world where we must respond to others and take orders. We have bosses, police, parents, teachers …
Life Starts with my Heart
My life starts with my heart. That is the center of everything. Nothing else matters so I need to be …
"They just use me as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy." ~~Jesus
Jesus is very direct about how religious leaders are focused on justifying what they teach to match their way of …
When has God had enough and gives up?
When has God had enough and gives up? When does God draw the line in the sand and say “That is …
“Love doesn’t keep a list of the sins of others.” ~Apostle Paul
Sometimes we keep a list of other peoples wrongs. We can recite it chapter and verse. It can actually be …
“Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him.” ~Apostle Paul
What excuse do I find to sing a song to God? I don’t need one. Everything is a reason to …
"The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges us to focus on the main thing. God has a goal for us today. God wants us to …
I hunger for God’s touch in my life
I hunger for God’s touch in my life. It is all about the relationship. God’s goal for me is to be …
“Love never gives up.” ~Apostle Paul
My heavenly Father never gives up on me. He loves me even when I haven’t wanted to know Him. He …
“But take heart! I have conquered the world.” ~~Jesus
Many days, there is a whole lot of worrying going on. Fear can cripple. How many times does God come …
“God can’t break his word.” ~Apostle Paul
There is the saying “As good as his word”. God is God. All God has to do to guarantee His …
Jesus, unconventional wisdom and going against the grain
In listening to Jesus, much of what He is saying (see Matthew 5) goes against the grain of what I …
"You don’t make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges us to make sure our words are clear and genuine. They should reflect all of His love. Embellishing …
“To me, the very least of all saints, this gift was given, to proclaim the Good News of the unfathomable riches of Christ.” ~Apostle Paul
That God has done something in my life is a real surprise, Him handling every single detail. It is nothing …
"The Message that points to the Messiah on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction." ~~Apostle Paul
The way God works seems silly to those who don’t know Him. For many, “Why” is the big barrier to …
"I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart." ~~King David
It all starts at home. Work is important and so is the church, but living love out at home is …
"They act like they are worshiping me, but they don’t mean it." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges us to stop acting. And, He is serious. He means it. How many times do we just go …
"Regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it." ~~ Apostle Paul
God has chosen us for a new life. It is a life of love. It’s characteristics are: Compassion Kindness Humility …
"I’ve made myself available to those who haven’t bothered to ask.’ ~~God
Our God is amazing. He doesn’t wait on us. In fact, He did it all by sending Jesus to take …
"My arms wave like banners of praise to you." ~~King David
I must find the place of worship. I must open my eyes. In His generous love, I can really live. …
"Unless you people are dazzled by a miracle, you refuse to believe." ~~Jesus
You come to Jesus. Your son is sick and is going to die. You ask Jesus to come and heal …
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” ~Apostle Paul
Not all work is the same. Some things are much more important in the Kingdom than others. I shouldn’t waste …
“I pray for good fortune in everything you do — that your everyday affairs prosper.” ~~ Apostle John
God goal for me is to prosper. He has every good thing in mind for me and wants me to have …
"Go and do the same."~~Jesus
Jesus challenges us. He tells us stories to shake us up. He wants us to love like our heavenly Father …
“The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart.” ~Samuel
What is the BIG THING my heavenly Father is looking for? He is desperately seeking a man after his own …
“The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out.” ~Apostle John
My love for the Father should squeeze out everything else. Wanting my own way is not the Father’s way. Wanting …
"Take your stand with God’s loyal community and live, or chase after phantoms of evil and die." ~~King Solomon
There is a way to live and there is a way to die. Living comes from aligning myself with God …
"If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life." ~~Jesus
It happens all the time. Someone uses us for their own advantage. We get upset. It’s just not right. We …
"Good character is the best insurance; crooks get trapped in their sinful lust." ~~King Solomon
Good character is important. Doing the right thing, God’s thing, makes all the difference. Solomon’s dad understood that following what …
“You’re cheating on God if all you want is your own way.” ~Apostle James
Am I cheating on God? There are times I just want my own way. That cheats God of the relationship …
“Love keeps going to the end.” ~Apostle Paul
What is it about persistence in love? It must be something like the Energizer Bunny. It just keeps going and …
"Are you being willfully stupid?" ~~Jesus
Jesus explains so many things to us. He challenges us to hear, really hear, what He is saying. Jesus is blunt. …
“How do you expect to get anywhere with God when you spend all your time jockeying for position with each other.” ~Jesus
Jesus challenges us to stop being competitive. We are always comparing ourselves with others. It is a serious problem. It …
“Love each other as if your life depended on it.” ~Apostle Peter
Oh yes. There are times I felt my life depended on many things. This good word sets a wonderful standard …
“I’m joining in with your forgiveness, as the Messiah is with us, guiding us.” ~Apostle Paul
Forgiveness is huge in God’s world. He is love. He forgives us. We must forgive others. Jesus emphasized this over …
“I have been sent on special assignment by the Messiah as part of God’s master plan.” ~Apostle Paul
God has a master plan for us all. I can tap into it and know the special assignment He has …
“Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character.” ~Jesus
I can’t impress God. Some ministers are trying to impress us though. Jesus called it straight. Jesus knows the real …
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” ~Jesus
There are some things that really please our Father. One of them is to reveal things to those of us …
“Be glad that you are in the very thick of what the Messiah experienced.” ~Apostle Peter
I am being refined. No doubt about that. Life does present difficulties. Jesus said that in this world we would …
“Watch what God does, and then you do it.” ~Apostle Paul
Well here we go. When I keep company with God, hang out with Him, I will learn a life of …
"Don’t say ‘God be with you,’ and not mean it." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges us to mean what we say. Religious jargon and trite sayings are useless. It is the power of …
“Wait for what the Father promised” ~Jesus
Jesus told them they had to wait. He didn’t have to. He could have given them the Spirit of God …
“God doesn’t want his children holding grudges.” ~Apostle Paul
We are God’s children. Now think about it. He has forgiven us. How does he want us to act? Does …
“He won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive us and purge us of all wrongdoing.” ~Apostle John
God has made us a grand promise. And, He is true to His word. We know that we’ve missed God’s …
"These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn’t in it." ~Jesus
Jesus challenges us to have our heart in the right place with God and everyone else. It is all about …
More boldness and fearless confidence!!! Peter walked on the water to Jesus.
We marvel that Jesus walked on water. What He did was stunning. Afterwards the disciples worshiped Him. We need to …
“I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it.” ~~King Solomon
God is complete in what He has done. There is nothing to be added to. Not a thing at all. …
"Too many of you are using doing things ‘legally" as a cover for selfishness and whim, pretending to be righteous just because you are ‘legal.’ ." ~~Jesus
Jesus challenges us to look at whether meeting the “letter of the law” means we are living right in God. …
“God raised Jesus from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running everything.” ~Apostle Paul
This is stunning. God raised Jesus from the dead and He is in charge of running everything. The totality of …
“Instead of trusting in our own wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally” ~Apostle Paul
What happens when we trust our own resources to solve the problem? We solve the problem but we don’t see …
"It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God." ~~Jesus
We get caught up in the wrong things. What church do we go to or what denomination do we belong …
"Give her something to eat." ~~Jesus
The events of the day had been stunning. A 12 year old had just been raised from the dead. At …
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power.” ~Apostle Paul
My heavenly Father is VERY rich. His riches exceed anything I can imagine. They are glorious. Through the power of …
“He healed them.” ~~Apostle Matthew
Jesus didn’t cause anyone to be lame. It was never about character building. There was no lesson to be learned. No …
“Start with God.” ~~King Solomon
God offered Solomon anything he wanted. All Solomon asked for was wisdom. God gave it to him. Here is his suggestion …
Does God feel this way when I pray?
I am hoping that God doesn’t feel this way when I pray. I have heard lots of prayers (including my …
"I have food to eat you know nothing about." ~~Jesus
It can be confusing to talk with Jesus. We’re talking this world and He’s talking about God’s world. Jesus challenges …
“The one who seeks good finds delight; the student of evil becomes evil.” ~~King Solomon
There are many things we can be students of. Seeking good is God’s goal for us. God wants us to …
How to allow God to have complete liberty in our life
Can I Allow God to have complete liberty in my life when I speak? Can I? The answer is yes. …
“The same people who want 60 minute worship services rent 2 hour movies; watch 3 hour ballgames. It’s about our heart’s focus!” ~ J. Bull
Oh man, this cuts to the bone. What is our heart focused on? Why are we so impatient with God? …
What’s the point?
Questions are great. The right one can make a difference. Try aligning your life on where the focus is on “What is …
“Life collapses on loafers; lazybones go hungry.” ~~King Solomon
This is a stunning insight from Solomon. God’s goal for us is that we work. The work He has given …
