Don’t prey on people, pray for people.
Burn Baby Burn
The "Dislike" Button of Life
Give It To Me Straight
A Perfect Starting Point For You + “7 Simple Essentials” Giveaway
How Does Your Story Read?
We’ve reached our final redemptive chapter of this book. When we first met Ruth, she was a poor widow who was fresh to the faith (representative of a Gentile new believer). Since then, she has gleaned handfuls of purpose in Boaz’s field, been covered by his goodness, and now approaches a wedding day. Though not all stories have endings this romantic and buttoned-up, may it serve as a deep-seated reminder that our Savior always writes the final chapter.
You Need This Unexpected Twist in Your Life
God Equips the Called
You Are Seen
We opened the book of Ruth last week and were reminded of the power of fresh beginnings and the desire God has to call us home, even when we’ve made choices of unbelief and disobedience. I hope you made that new beginning choice, and if you did, I’d love to hear from you and guide you through those next steps so you don’t turn back to Moab (the world). Feel free to write me or message me through social media.
He's Ready For Your Decision
We’re going to learn in Ruth 1 how Ruth’s decision was a picture of God’s grace. Ruth was a Gentile (non-Jewish) woman who didn’t know the Lord; yet, despite her difficult trials and heartache she clung to Naomi and was determined to accompany her (verse 18). Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi is a parallel picture of how we are to respond to Christ by saying, “I will not leave you, Lord. Wherever you go, I will go.”
He's Worth It
Every morning God whispers – in some way or another – “make space for Me.” How does your room look for Christ? Is there “white space” in your day? Is it clutter-free so God has a place to sit? Is there room in the margins for you to allow Him to pen you love notes? He’s worth your time. He’s worth your day. He’s worth your life.
Are You Worth Your Salt?
Seems like we just kicked-off Colossians yesterday, but I **blinked** and this week we wrap up with a short 18 verse study. Beginning in early May we will do a quick stint in Philemon and read of Paul’s plea for his friend, Onesimus (Philemon is only one chapter, and it’s the final of Paul’s Prison Epistles). I have some BIG NEWS to share soon regarding Divinely Interrupted. The suspense is killing you, isn’t it? Okay, fine. I’ll go ahead and spill the beans.
Messy Living
Think about where you live. When it’s dirty – you know, clothes strung out, crusty dishes in the sink, mud caked on the floors, that weird smell coming from the bathroom – you can’t snap your fingers and it all magically goes back in place. The same with our own spiritual houses. From God’s perspective, we are neat and tidy, but sin still has residency. There are emotions strung out, dirty thoughts wandering the corridors, mud on our lips, and the pungent stench of pride. The penalty of sin is removed, but sin itself doesn’t evaporate when we say, “I will follow.” It’s a process, just like it is in our own physical homes. Room by room, closet by closet, the Lord transforms us. He helps pick up the messes, learn healthy practices, teaches where things belong, shows us what to throw out, and is a wonderful gentleman about it all.
A Remedy for Itchy Ears
We live in a world that loves to market that positive self-talk, feel-good, “live a happy life” message. It’s on the radio, in the bookstore, and touted from the pulpit because it’s what our itching ears want to hear. It’s a “light and fat-free” message of comfort, and it is exactly the noise that Satan wants us to hear.
Be Tenacious
With this fresh spring season comes a new Bible study to tuck under your floral belt (I hear florals are all the rage in fashion this year). Sometimes life is beige. It’s “eh.” It feels a little blah, blah, blah. But those average moments multiply and begin to formulate our lives as believers. Therefore, we must stay in our lane and run hard. Be tenacious!
A Letter to My Boys on Being Men
The 4 E's of Fierce Living
This week we conclude the book of Ephesians. We’ve studied it for six weeks – verse-by-verse and chapter by chapter. Next week, we’ll continue our journey studying the Prison Epistles, which Paul wrote, and turn our attention to Colossians. But until then, chapter 6 of Ephesians is hard not to love because it contains practical instructions on how to act (and the world could use more of that these days!).
Let Love Rule
You Offend Me
Learned this lesson: I should’ve gone directly to God in prayer and allowed Him to give me a better perspective. I didn’t honor God by valuing unity over the temporary pleasure of gossiping (in an effort to gain sympathy from others). I was wrong...find out more about this situation in this week's Ephesians 4 study.
