This verse seems to be full of oxymorons. We have hope but we can’t see the hope; we wait eagerly but wait with patience… But believe me, it isn’t oxymoronic. Our Hope is Christ. Even though we haven’t physically seen Him, we chose to believe in Him. We received Him,…
HYMN DAY! “We Have Heard the Joyful Sound” by Priscilla Jane Owens is a call to listen, to heed, to obey. If we’ve heard salvation’s call and experienced its changing power, we can’t keep it to ourselves! Sing above the battle’s strife, Jesus saves! 1 We have heard the joyful…
If you’ve ever been in labor (before epidurals came into use), this scripture probably brings back memories. I remember thinking in the middle of trying to give birth, “They don’t call it labor for nothin’! This is hard work!” Labor is extremely painful…but when they put the baby in your…
War, pestilence, plagues, strife… People in biblical times faced hardship, and we face hardship today. Evil runs rampant and has an affect on our world. BUT…there is a glory awaiting believers that will make the suffering of this life seem as inconsequential as a stubbed toe…and a judgment awaiting unbelievers…
Sin leads to death. Romans 6:23 tells us the wages of sin is death. We’re all dead men walking until that moment we receive Christ as Savior. Then life eternal is guaranteed! Not because of anything we’ve done to earn it, but because God gifts us with righteousness. If Christ…
When we talk about people “in the flesh,” we’re describing those who have no relationship with God through Jesus Christ. And we’re covering a lot of territory, from people who live upright, moral, basically good lives to those who seem to have no conscience or concern for other living beings.…
HYMN DAY! “New Life in Christ” by John W. Peterson isn’t a centuries-old hymn. It was considered contemporary when I was a kid. *wink* But I’ve always loved the chorus. If it’s unfamiliar to you, you can listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Eq1JJCDnHI 1. Gone is the guilt of my sin,…
When I was growing up, we had certain rules for our family. My parents didn’t care what the neighbor kids were allowed to say or do; as their child, I was expected to behave like a Vogel. A similar set of “rules” apply to children of God. Those who haven’t…
Boy, the flesh sure gets in the way sometimes, doesn’t it? It’s so easy to worry and fret, to get angry or irritated, to lose patience and say things we later regret. And every time we give in to the flesh, we suffer the consequence of unrest. The Spirit wants…
What consumes our minds tells a lot about where our heart is focused. Philippians 4:8 reminds us “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” These are the things that please and…
