As a pastor, I often deal with people who are discouraged. If you are wrestling with discouragement I hope this encourages you . . .

Discouragement occurs when we shoulder our own worries, fears, and troubles–and then begin to collapse under the weight. But when you think about it, this approach to disregards God. It treats Him as though He were not worthy of our trust. Or worse, it treats Him as though he were not there for us at all. Is that really the approach you want to take?

Instead, let’s deal discouragement a death blow. How? [Read more...]

Found myself in Columbus, Ohio recently at a Country Living Fair! Ahh . . . Columbus Ohio . . . Home of THE Ohio State University. To be honest I’d rather be at The Shoe watching The Bucks crush some opponent in football. Nevertheless I’m around the corner at the Country Fair.

Lots of knickknacks, arts-n-crafts, cozy clothes and comfort food for sale. And people.
But my bride would rather be here. She still doesn’t get this football thing? So here I am shopping, and shopping, and shopping . . . Sigh! My what I won’t do for my bride.

So this Country Living thing made me think of Christian Living. Wouldn’t it be great to see all these people gathered to hear the life-changing Gospel? Whether at this fair or a football game—cheering on our Savior, or buying into the life-changing principles that transform lives.

Principles that change lives . . . You know like:

Eternal security in Christ
Knowing God
Trusting God
Loving God
And then obeying God!

Now that’s Christian Living at its best! Whether in the country or the city! Country Living vs. Christian Living . . . So glad we get to choose.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17).

Americans are obsessed with the future. We want to know what’s in store for us.

So if we listen to the radio, read the newspaper, or watch TV, there will be plenty of prophets, prognosticators, and pundits who are going to tell us about the future.

They bring their intellects and their intuitions, and their pools of experience, and they tell us, “This is what happened; these are the trends I see; and this is what shall happen.” With all their wit and wisdom, they forecast the future.

We all want to know the future. But there is only One who knows the future, and that is GOD.

Let’s keep it real.

The book James tells us [Read more...]

When I was growing up, there was a phrase that sounded good but was as false as false could be. Whenever I was bullied, teased, or put down, this phrase would run through my mind to comfort me, but I knew it wasn’t true.

Sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never hurt me!

We know that statement is wrong don’t we?

Have you ever been hurt by the words of others? Has the sting of a critical comment remained with you longer than you care to admit? The worst part of it all is that the wounds usually come from those we don’t expect to hurt us. Family members, friends, and people we thought we knew.

Words do hurt, and comments do cut . . . often worse than any knife ever could. I have had lots of physical fights and wounds in my lifetime, and I don’t remember any of them like I do the words from others that have so deeply hurt me. Broken bones heal much more quickly than wounds that are left by an out of control tongue!

What has come from your mouth today, yesterday, or last week ? I don’t know about you but some of my biggest mistakes are the ones I make with my mouth. Why do I do this? Why do you do this?

Jesus tells us: It’s a heart problem!

You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

My heart, your heart, is wicked and we need a Savior to transform our hearts so that we might speak words that give life and not death; words that build others up and not tear them down!

A good heart will not produce bad fruit! What is the condition of your heart? People can tell  [Read more...]

The book of James in the Bible gives us a challenge and a promise. James says, If any man needs wisdom, let him ask God. That’s the challenge!

Why is that a challenge? Because as a human, I want to do it my way!

And the promise is when we ask our generous God, he will give it to you! But you must ask him in faith. 

After studying on wisdom, I came up with this definition: Wisdom is to know God and apply His word to the issues of life to bring glory and honor to Him.

I need wisdom. How about you?

I have made plenty of poor decisions that didn’t honor or glorify God. I say enough is enough. God, please give me wisdom for the finances you have entrusted to me. For the way I love and cherish my spouse, children, co-workers, as well as my brothers and sisters in the Lord.

The promise is for those who have a relationship with Jesus and apply it to any life issues to bring honor and glory to God.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. -James 1:5

I am asking for wisdom. How about you? Where do you need wisdom?

Ask God . . . And He will give to you generously.

He promised!