The week after Christmas and before all of the New Year celebrations is usually a time of reflection and planning. As I sit at my desk preparing to finish this year and plan for the next, I wanted to share with you some resolutions to consider to help us grow spiritually in the new year.…
James tells us that, “…faith apart from works is dead” (James 2:26). In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a parable about talents given to three servants and how they used – or didn’t use, those talents. For the two servants that used their talents for work, the master responds with the words, “well done, good and…
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” Ephesians 2:10 He certainly meant the works—the things we are to do, the ways we are to serve—are good things, in and of themselves. And, of course, he meant the works are good…
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 The past can be a funny thing. Some look back to a time when they were happier, healthier, less stressed… in other words, those glory days. The problem with those…
Have you ever given thought to how we measure things? Looking at our culture, we know where the best schools are, where the best neighborhoods are, what the best professions are, etc…, but are these really good gauges for measuring ourselves? We want the best, the biggest, the newest, I mean, there’s nothing wrong with…
God wants to be first priority in our lives. He is either the Lord of All, or He is not. The best test for us is determining what we give back to God. Does He wind up with our leftovers? Is our time, energy, and resources given to other endeavors instead of to Him? In…
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” Ephesians 2:10 When Paul wrote these words, he meant the things we are to do, the ways we are to serve—are good things. And, of course, he meant the works are good for…
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” Ephesians 2:10 God gives us natural talents and spiritual gifts and hearts with unique passions. God also shapes us through trials and circumstances in our every day lives. When we are using our…
In Luke 5, it says that Jesus would withdraw to desolate places and pray. Sandra often encourages us to enter our prayer closets to pray. I believe that means that we are to seek to be present with God and not be distracted when it comes to spending time with God. Why is this so…
Proverbs 27;17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” As followers of Jesus, we are called to walk with others and to speak truth in love. This means accountability. Why then do we find accountability so difficult? Maybe it’s the fear of rejection. Maybe it’s the feeling of embarrassment. Maybe we don’t…