Every time you plug something into a power outlet at home, you fully expect it to work, without giving much thought to the inner-workings of it all. Plug in a small clock and it just starts working. Plug in a blender and it’s ready to go. The phone charger may not need as much power as the portable heater, but it all…

When you pray, how much confidence do you have that (1) you are heard and (2) you will be answered? As Christians, we might wonder (or even doubt) sometimes if God is listening and if  God is going to respond. However, we have been given every confidence that He does both! Memorize these words: “Now this is the confidence that we have…

The devil is constantly busy! Don’t take that lightly! Consider it again: The devil is constantly busy! The use of the Greek present tense verbs in 1 Peter 5:8 emphasizes this truth. The Greek present tense indicates continuous, ongoing action in the present. Therefore, we learn that the devil “is walking about” — constant activity (NASB has “prowls”). He is a “roaring…

What does “every word” mean to you? When you pick up your Bible, do you truly recognize (and accept) that “every word” in your Bible is from God (2 Tim. 3:16)? When you read what the Bible says about the church, do you accept “every word” of  it as being from God (and not man) (Gal. 1:12)? When you read what the…

It is happening all too frequently! People’s personal accounts and identities are being stolen and then used — as if that person is YOU. It is so frustrating to know that your privacy has been violated and that someone else is using YOUR  name in ways that YOU never did and ways that YOU never would! To make it right, YOU are…

Bearing your heart to God Often in the Psalms, David was overcome by the goodness of God and gushed forth (under inspiration) his total thrill for even having an opportunity to know God. These Psalms are fun to read and to apply today. Meditate upon, enjoy and apply these thoughts from Psalm 138. “I will praise You with my whole heart.” A…

What would you NOT do for Jesus? If Jesus needed someone to help Him with His homework, would you step up to help (willingly), even if there were others who could or should? If Jesus needed someone to help Him with His computer, would you step up to help (willingly), even if there were others who could or should? If Jesus needed…

So often–when shepherds of a congregation are making efforts to shepherd straying sheep whose attendance at worship has fallen off–a member will be heard to say, “Well, that’s none of the elders’ business! They just need to leave me alone! If I’m there or not there is none of their business!” As gently as I can say this, such a position is…