Let Go and Let God!

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 This verse reminds us that with God’s strength and power, we are capable of accomplishing great things. But what does this mean in practical terms? For starters, it means that we can approach our goals with confidence and boldness, knowing that we have […]

What is Good Friday and Why Do We Celebrate This Holiday?

Why do Christ Followers observe Good Friday? To remember everything Jesus did for us on the cross at Calvary. As we go into the Easter weekend and celebrate Jesus’ death and resurrection, we should reflect on the sacrifice that God made sending His only Son down to earth, where Jesus was both God and man, […]

Self-Centered or God-Centered?

Are you self-centered or God-centered? Is that a loaded question or what? It’s a hard one to answer too because ultimately most of us will have to admit, myself included, that the self often crops up before God. We all live by a “What’s in it for me?” motto and we forget that to truly live with purpose, the “me” should never really enter into the equation. And that’s the real crux and the struggle to find true leadership in the faith. We’re all, by nature, self-absorbed. 

Why Do We Make it So Hard to Be Saved?

Salvation is a gift. So, why is it so hard to be saved? I have asked myself this question many times. I see so many people struggle with God’s Ultimate Gift on a daily basis because they think that it carries with it a heavy and burdensome responsibility. They also think that by accepting God into their lives, their lives will change irrevocably and they will never be the same again. And that unknown possibility scares them into looking away from the Gift and staying solidly put in their status quo existence.

Prayer Lifts You Up

In Matthew 7:7-8 – Jesus said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.”

This is one of my favorite scriptures… for many reasons really. The number one reason is that I wholeheartedly believe that you will never receive what you want or need unless you take the necessary step of simply asking for it. Yet, how many of us never take that simple but crucial step? We may wish for change. We may hope we’ll get a new job, find a loving spouse, or that a wayward child will find his/her way back home, but unless we fall to our knees and ask, we’re simply wishing without the power of God to back it up.

Go Big AND Go Home…

It is not my burden (thank goodness) to attempt to love people even though they irritate or hurt me. God promises that as I draw closer to Him, and keep his word (the sword) at the ready, He will empower me to love people even when they irritate or hurt me.

There is comfort in this.

The Leap

God’s very nature is Faith. He put us on this Earth with the belief that we will return, freely and willingly, to Him one day. And knowing the very nature of who we are… I only can only assume that it must take a lot of faith on His part!

Even when we are unfaithful, he remains faithful.

In a Toxic World, Love One Another

The key to this topic is in Romans 12:10 (NIV), where Paul says, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

Now, I realize that it is hard to do, right? Especially when your brother is supporting that “socialist” or that “liar” or that “braggart”. It’s hard to wrap your head around the word “honor” when you can’t fathom their political leanings or beliefs. But that is precisely what God wants you to do. That is also why being a Christian is no walk in the park and why many people don’t do it on a regular basis. It’s hard to love and honor others above yourself. Yet, it’s the only way you can truly lead others to the Gospel. You can’t strong-arm them there.

I Can’t, But He Can

For some, that idea is frightening. Many of us, myself included, are professional and incredibly practiced “control-freaks.” The idea of handing anything over to anyone else, including our most capable and willing God, makes us squirm and quake in our boots. “What if He won’t… or worse, what if He can’t help me… then what?”

I came up against this myself during the Great Recession when I was steeped “neck-deep” in my own “ableness.” You see, I had been practicing the “How can I” on steroids…

Failure… Meet Grace

Jesus has a long list of people who have unflinchingly failed only to receive His radical grace. And his forgiveness precedes repentance. He has already died for your sins. He is already patting you on the back long before you can weep your first tear or utter your profound sorrow. He is consoling, reassuring and encouraging you, long before you admit your failure.

So, let your failure meet His grace and