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Author’s photoRepentance is more than just saying “I’m sorry.” It means admitting we were wrong, and determining not to do it again.  “I kicked myself for my stupidity” captures that concept pretty well! Scripture: Jeremiah, chapters 31-32; 1 John, chapter 4 Jeremiah 31:15-22 (NLT): This is what the Lord says: “A cry is heard in Ramah – deep anguish and bitter weeping. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be […]

Photo by Brendan Church on UnsplashOur culture tells us, “Follow your heart!” But God’s Word cries out: “Don’t follow your heart – follow Jesus!” Scripture: Jeremiah, chapters 28-30; 1 John, chapter 3 1 John 3:16-24 (NLT): We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to […]

Photo by Mark Duffel on UnsplashScripture: Jeremiah, chapters 21, 24, and 27; Psalm 118; 1 John, chapter 2 Jeremiah 21:11-14 (NLT): “Say to the royal family of Judah, ‘Listen to this message from the Lord! This is what the Lord says to the dynasty of David: “Give justice each morning to the people you judge! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors. Otherwise, my anger will […]

Photo by Matt Seymour on UnsplashIt is very easy for us to put our trust in things and people who don’t deserve it. Jeremiah 2 refers to this as “trading our glorious God for worthless idols” and “digging cracked cisterns.” Scripture:        Jeremiah, chapters 1-2; John, chapter 10 Jeremiah 2:10-13 (NLT): “Go west and look in the land of Cyprus; go east and search through the land of Kedar. Has anyone […]

  Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash “Sacred texts” are at the heart of many faith systems. These faith systems believe that their sacred texts are “inspired.” For example, Christians accept the Bible as authoritative and inspired. But how do modern believers view these “sacred texts”? I will begin with a look at the article of faith from my denomination. Following that, I’ll discuss the relevance of Scripture to contemporary […]

Photo by Robert Ruggiero on UnsplashWhen Jesus fed the 5,000, John says “they wanted him to be their king.” The key word is “their” king – they didn’t want to accept Jesus on his terms, but on their own. That’s the same deception Satan has been selling since the beginning! We come to God on his terms, not ours – and when we do, he welcomes us as his children. […]

Photo by Mark Duffel on UnsplashWe rejoice that God promises to forgive us when we confess our sins (1 John 1:9), but we need to remember that the tentacles of evil that spread from sinful choices go further and last longer than we might imagine. Scripture: 2 Kings, chapter 21; 2 Chronicles, chapter 33; John, chapter 4 2 Chronicles 33:10-17 (NLT): The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but […]

Photo by sterlinglanier Lanier on UnsplashJohn 3:16 says that everyone who believes in Jesus has eternal life. But what does “believing in Jesus” mean? It means that we live like Jesus did! Scripture: Isaiah, chapters 65-66; Psalm 63; John, chapter 3 John 3:16-21 (NLT): “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but […]

Photo by Tim Mossholder on UnsplashThere are many “gods” that people serve – sometimes without even realizing it. Those who know God, though, proclaim: There is no other God like you! Scripture: Isaiah, chapters 63-64; Psalm 107; John, chapter 2 Isaiah 63:15 – 64:7 (NLT): Lord, look down from heaven; look from your holy, glorious home, and see us. Where is the passion and the might you used to show […]