Blog
It is God’s mercy that we would be able to see the true condition of our hearts, no matter how hard. Even before we see clearly, we can invite Him to uproot any ungodly beliefs that inform our thoughts and result in ungodly actions. We can receive and actually begin...
In a heavenly courtroom setting, the Mighty Lord summons all peoples. He himself is the Judge, and He will judge with righteousness. In both the Old and New Testaments, the definitions of justice and righteousness are interchangeable. His judgment is the application...
Under the open heavens, on nights when the sky is clear, I look for the stars. With a sense of wonder and worship, I consider the Lord who created them. The beauty of creation gives us insight. It can reorder and right our thinking. The Psalmist wrote: For the word...
One of the most memorable sections of Scripture is Psalm 23 – The Shepherd’s Psalm. This one line impacts me in new ways. “He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name” (Psalm 23:3). Being guided along right paths has been a longtime prayer of...
God’s Word and His ways and His commands are perfect in every way—the revelation-light of His Word revives our souls, leads us to truth, and changes the simple into wise. His Word makes us joyful and radiates His light. His Word challenges us to keep close to His...
In the late 70s, my life had begun to break apart piece by piece. I had invited Jesus into my heart as a young boy and loved Him, but by the end of my first year in college, I did not follow Him. Deep within me, I still had a desire to love God, but my rebellion...
Who presumes the privilege of being close to the Lord—living next to Him in His shining place of glory? Who are those who daily dwell in the life of the Holy Spirit? Who will never be shaken—who will stand firm forever? King David answered that question in Psalm...
Jan and I have been listening to some rare, old, forgotten hymns called Appalachian Soul Hymns, and both our spirits and souls have been touched. We noticed so many of the words point to Heaven. While watering the garden at 6 am this morning, I heard these sounds...
“For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then, my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you” (Isaiah 54:10). God’s expressions of love began at creation and span both...
Sunday, during our worship time with our church community, Living Waters, I physically felt several strong bursts of wind pass over me, like a draft from a door being opened. It was so noticeable that I turned to see the cause. No door had opened, and no one had...
The Old Covenant reveals what is authentic and real about creation and the nature of the Creator. He is honorable and admirable, noble and reputable, compelling and gracious, beautiful and awesome, pure and holy, merciful and just. The nature of humanity is...
This morning, I was reading in the Psalms that God's favor surrounds us. For the last few years, Jan and I have asked God for a heart to receive His special grace in that moment when one of us leaves this world, and the other one must stay behind for a time. It is a...
Many of us have been aware of an increasing effort to dismiss or reinterpret Scripture believed to be irrelevant in this day and age or simply out of a growing distrust for God’s truth. Some have reduced their understanding of Scripture to just the New Testament or to...
Thousands of years ago, a future forecast was made, pointing to our time. Isaiah described the coming of a righteous King in His true humanity—the Messiah—who will be the ideal governmental leader. What kind of influence and authority does an ideal leader have? The...
We make daily and future plans, but a lot of those plans are dreamed up without God’s input. This form of rebellion and stubbornness is celebrated as free choice, freedom, and independence. Listen to His word spoken to Judah through Isaiah: “You make plans...