Encouragement / Heavenly Minded

Something Lighter: Thoughts About Creation 1 of 4, Why am I Here?

Hi all,I was sitting in an airplane in the summer of 1992, part way through a very long flight headed for Russia to help start churches. Out

Understanding the Limits of Grace #1 of 3; The Limits of Grace

Hi all,I often say this to understand the differences between judgment, mercy, and grace:Judgment is getting what you deserve.Mercy is not getting

God’s Secrets #3, Why we know what we know

Hi all,I started this series quoting Deuteronomy 29: 29: "The secret things belong to the Lord, but the things revealed belong to us and to our

God’s Secrets #2, Judging God

Hi all,In Genesis 15 when the Lord revealed to Abraham he was going to be a father and his offspring would become as numerous as the stars he could

What He keeps from us #1

Hi all,It was the first time Barb made the statement we've since repeated several times. We were driving and reviewing hardships in life we've gone

Emotional reasoning or rational thinking #4

Hi all,In John 7: 19-25 Jesus asks why the leaders wanted to kill Him, but the people's emotional reaction could have come from our time: "You're

Emotional Reasoning or Rational Thinking #2

Hi all,As ancient Israel settled into the land, built a temple, and cities grew, the need of city dwellers to buy animals for the required sacrifices

Emotional reasoning, or rational thinking #1. “I feel it, therefore I am”

Hi all,Let me define 'emotional reasoning' right at the start: Emotional reasoning is a process in which a person believes their emotional

How are You Affirmed #4

Hi all,The body of Christ at Ephesus began with about a dozen men in Acts 19 but some estimate that within 10 years there were about 25,000 believers,

Why you are the new Rebecca #3, meeting the groom

Hi all,We left Rebecca having agreed to return with Eliezer to marry Isaac, and being blessed by her family to do so. There are some things to

Why you are the new Rebecca #2, preparing Rebecca

Hi all,We left Rebecca having just watered the camels and having received a token of gifts from Eliezer, a type of the Holy Spirit. The name

Jesus 101 #3, If you don’t feel as close to God…

Hi all,The term 'backsliding' has been used for years to describe a Christian who is no longer going to church or isn't also currently 'walking with

Respect for the things of God #4, Personal Attacks

Hi all,The core reason for a lack of respect of God is a lack of revelation of God. Jesus the local boyMark 6: 1-6 tells us Jesus traveled back

Respect for the things of God #2; Why some will never see an angel this side of heaven.

Hi all,I ended last week talking about how Paul told the Corinthians wives to put their veils back on so they don't disrespect their husbands and the

Jesus is God’s Firstborn from the Dead

Hi all,The last 2 weeks I shared God's Plans A, B, and C for Israel as His firstborn, and today a follow up to that: Jesus as the Father's

God’s plans A, B, and C #2: What were Plans B&C?

Hi all,Last week we saw how Israel was God's firstborn son: Every man, woman, and child He considered to be His firstborn. And in Exodus 19: 6 we

God’s Plans A, B, and C for Us; The Firstborn #1 of 2

Hi all,Did you know God's original plan was NOT to use the Levites as the priests? The Levites as priests was not even His 'Plan B', they were

What to do When Tired, Drained, Just Going Through the Motions, #3 of 3, Israel’s Vacations

Hi all,Sometimes we get to a point that just taking a day to rest isn't enough to recharge. Having a time of worship isn't enough. Praying in the