Growth

September 29, 2020

Surrounded by a Great Cloud of Witnesses

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and […]
April 9, 2020

The Importance of Repentance

“Repent!” That word used to be a fighting word for me. It was a fighting word because I was yet to fully understand its meaning. With […]
April 8, 2020

God Tests Us to Bring out the Best in Us!

Tests are good! They expose the finest things from within! What God placed in us at the moment of our salvation, He wants to work out […]
February 5, 2020

Gentleness and Respect

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with […]
January 20, 2020

Making an Idol of Making Idols

“Every good and perfect gift is from above” See James 1:17 “Dad, you’re crazy! Why are you like this?!” my daughter blurts out. “I don’t know, […]
September 8, 2019

God’s Dream for You

“I want you to know all about Christ’s love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that […]
July 14, 2019

Above All, Love Each Other Deeply

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 In my mid-teenage years a friend of mine got […]
July 13, 2019

What Is the True Meaning of Repent?

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone […]
June 30, 2019

What If You’ve Already Been Changed?

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”  2 Corinthians 5:17 How would you live […]
May 24, 2019

What Should a Christian Do When We Lose Our Cool?

“In your anger do not sin” See Ephesians 4:26 My daughter Grace really wants to get better at basketball. So after her 8th grade season was […]
May 8, 2019

What I’ve Learned After Five Years of Sobriety

“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4 There are moments in our lives when we […]
March 21, 2019

Saturday Morning Hangovers, Gone

“Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?” Proverbs 23:29 There’s something […]
February 23, 2019

God Is Not Breaking You Down

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” See John 10:10 Our Creator has received a pretty bad rap by […]
February 3, 2019

Can Christians Have Tattoos?

And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19:16 Pardon me while I barf […]
December 6, 2018

But What About… (Part 2)

“For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17 I don’t usually ask this, but would you please glance […]
December 1, 2018

Does Obedience Keep You Close to God?

“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3 How many times have you heard that your obedience is the determining […]
October 14, 2018

The Greatest Spiritual Gift Is Love

“But the greatest of these is love.” See 1 Corinthians 13:13 Grandma. This one word brings a feeling of peace to my soul. Just thinking about […]
October 13, 2018

Confessions of a Hungover Saint

“And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ […]
October 4, 2018

Why We Can Call God, Dad

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! […]
September 17, 2018

Why It’s Important to Protect Your Eyes and Ears

“But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.” Matthew 13:16 “Let’s find a new series to watch on Netflix together,” […]
September 1, 2018

How Can I Know Good from Evil?

“For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” ~Satan Genesis […]
August 13, 2018

Go and Sin No More?

Then Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, Lord,” she answered. “Then neither do I condemn […]
August 9, 2018

Works, Obedience, and Commitment

“Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.” Hebrews 5:8 Jesus learned obedience, yet He never sinned, and we are His […]
July 26, 2018

Christians Are Not Sinners

“But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation” Colossians […]
July 16, 2018

Why We Shouldn’t Be Grace Jerks

“They will know you by your love.” ~Jesus See John 13:35 Getting friend requests from random people is the norm on social media now. So when […]
July 14, 2018

Stop Trying so Hard to Be a Christian

“Let us therefore strive to enter that rest” See Hebrews 4:11 “Are you going to go to sleep any time soon?” my wife asks me as […]
July 12, 2018

Who Told You That You Were Naked?

“she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of […]
December 21, 2017

Don’t Hide Any Longer

He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” -Adam, speaking to God, Genesis 3:10 “Hey, is […]
December 19, 2017

How to Accept God’s Timing

…God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change […]
December 15, 2017

When Praying for Your Enemies Is Hard

“Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice” Proverbs 24:17 Let’s all be honest with ourselves, when those […]
December 8, 2017

SMILE!

“A glad heart makes a happy face!” See Proverbs 15:13 As believers in Christ, in our hearts, we have been given joy! Joy is a part […]
December 6, 2017

How to Fight Like a Christian

“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4 It’s […]
December 4, 2017

Do You Feel Sorry for Yourself?

Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” John 5:8 I used to struggle with self-pity…a lot. If you only knew […]
November 29, 2017

How to Endure Like Jesus

“For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” See […]
November 26, 2017

God Wants to Help You with Your Attitude

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus” Philippians 2:5 Here are eight thoughts in which we need help from God with our […]
November 21, 2017

A Conversation with an Atheist

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on […]
November 16, 2017

Dinner with a Former Drunk

“Always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that you have. But do so with gentleness and respect” See 1 Peter 3:15 A good […]
November 15, 2017

How Can I Get Over My Past?

“Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead” See Philippians 3:13 It’s so easy to be ashamed of our past, especially when certain […]
November 14, 2017

God Wants to Help You with Your Choices

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever” ~Jesus John 14:16 Here are eight choices anyone […]
November 10, 2017

Children: The Real Victims of Addiction

“Train up a child in the way they should go: and when they are old, they will not depart from it.” See Proverbs 22:6 “Matthew, your […]
November 8, 2017

What to do During Dormant Seasons of Life

He (Jesus) told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.  Though it […]
November 4, 2017

How to Have Fun without Drinking Alcohol

“I have the right to do anything,” you say–but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”–but not everything is constructive. 1 Corinthians […]
October 27, 2017

What to do When the Pain is Unbearable

“Cast your cares on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 Pain. We all feel it at some point in our lives. Sometimes our […]
April 29, 2017

How to Love God by Being Yourself

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18 God wants us to bear good spiritual […]
February 18, 2017

How Do I Control My Mouth?

“The tongue of the wise brings healing.” See Proverbs 12:18 Have you allowed the Holy Spirit to teach you how to control your mouth? It took […]
January 4, 2017

How Addictions Destroy Your Children

“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” ~Jesus Matthew 11:28 About an hour north of where I live, […]
December 12, 2016

Am I Good Enough for God’s Love?

“Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature” See 2 Peter […]
December 8, 2016

Can I Lose My Salvation?

“if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13 Fear. This one word controlled my life for many years. So […]
October 8, 2016

What to do When Life Sucks

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or […]
September 13, 2016

Can I Command Someone to Love Me?

“This is my command: Love each other.” ~Jesus John 15:17 Most of us have seen the original Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast, which was released in […]
September 12, 2016

Are You Living for Today?

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…” See Philippians 4:12 For so many years I lived a life of discontentment. I […]
September 9, 2016

Whose Opinion Matters the Most?

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not […]
September 6, 2016

How Can I Make My Life Better?

“Be made new in the attitude of your minds” Ephesians 4:23 I used to have a very poor attitude, our attitudes come from our thoughts, and […]
September 2, 2016

Can I be Unborn from God?

Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, “You must be born again.” ~Jesus, John […]
August 30, 2016

Are You Stuck in the Past?

“Then David got up from the ground.” See 2 Samuel 12:20 God seemed really harsh in the Old Testament. That is, to the unbeliever, and even […]
August 26, 2016

Don’t Listen to the Devil

“The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.” John 13:2 I’m not gonna lie, […]
August 23, 2016

How to Kill Your Wife’s Husband

“And the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh” ~Jesus Mark 10:8 Today, August 23, 2016, is my twelve […]
August 16, 2016

Beware of the Mean Christians

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us…” See 2 Corinthians 5:20 Nobody likes to be told they can’t do […]
August 14, 2016

Do You Keep Secrets?

“And they have defeated him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony” See Revelation 12:11 I used to be a very private […]
August 12, 2016

Religion Blinds You. Relationship Heals You.

“They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents.” John 9:18 There is […]
August 11, 2016

Joel Osteen Helped Save My Life

“If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.” 1 John 4:15 My ministry used to be very […]
August 9, 2016

What to do When you Feel Far from God

“But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, […]
July 27, 2016

How to Handle a Flood from Hell

“The enemy comes in like a flood.” See Isaiah 59:19 I know the title of this devotional may seem like a downer, but let me explain. […]
July 19, 2016

Do You Even Want to Change Your Life?

When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to […]
July 11, 2016

Why Should I Humble Myself?

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” See James 4:6 Growing up, we are taught to be the best. In grade school, at […]
July 1, 2016

When God Asks You to Do the Unthinkable

“Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, […]
June 7, 2016

You Can’t Keep a God-Loving Man Down

“So Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.'” Genesis 41:41 I wake up early each day, usually […]
June 6, 2016

How to Defend Yourself as a Christian

“When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy […]
June 3, 2016

Jesus Destroys Bad Relationships

I tell you the truth, Jesus said to them, “No one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake […]
May 26, 2016

How to Handle Being Lied About

“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges […]
May 25, 2016

Weakness Is Your Greatest Strength

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” ~God See 2 Corinthians 12:9 What is perhaps the greatest characteristic you […]
May 17, 2016

Jesus, a Hometown Hero? Yeah right.

“Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous […]
May 15, 2016

God Wants You To Use What You’ve Got

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, […]
May 8, 2016

What I’ve Learned After Two Years of Sobriety

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and […]
May 6, 2016

Why Did God Create Me?

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” […]
May 5, 2016

Does Jesus’ Light Shine Through You?

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are […]
April 29, 2016

Demons Are Real

“The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” ~Jesus  John […]
April 22, 2016

You Have the Same Power of Christ

“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” ~Jesus John 16:24 Do you […]
April 21, 2016

Jesus Recruits From His Opposition

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” See Acts 9:5 Do you hate Jesus? I’m sure you don’t, but some people actually do hate Jesus. This […]
April 20, 2016

God Disciplines His Kids

“I discipline those whom I love” ~God See Hebrews 12:6 Nobody wants to be corrected. It goes against the grain of our mind when others try […]
April 17, 2016

How to Handle Life’s Disappointments

“All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 How do you handle disappointments? For […]
April 14, 2016

Jesus Is Patient With His Enemies

“But I tell you, love your enemies…” ~Jesus Matthew 5:44 Jesus is patient with His enemies, so we should be too. That’s the hard part. When I […]
April 13, 2016

Walk by the Spirit to Overcome Sin

“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”  Romans 7:15 One […]
April 11, 2016

Facing the Truth About Yourself

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” See Romans 12:2 One of the most difficult things […]
April 8, 2016

What Is God Looking For?

“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6 I believe with all my heart that one of the top things God is […]
April 7, 2016

Kill the Little Foxes

“Little foxes spoil the vine” See SONG OF SOLOMON 2:15 If you are a member of PETA, the title of this devotional might have just made […]
April 6, 2016

God Has a Job For You to Do

“Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” ~God Exodus 4:12 As a Christian, part of your job is to […]
April 4, 2016

How to be a Bold Christian

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you […]
April 3, 2016

Church “Attendance” Is Not Important to God

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 After reading the title of this devotional, […]
April 2, 2016

How to Finally Overcome Addictions

“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:18 I’m in recovery for alcoholism. I finally […]
April 1, 2016

Does God Love Me When I Make Mistakes?

“Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:39 The short answer to the title of this devotional is, […]
March 30, 2016

Do You Live By How You Feel?

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 God created us to be emotional. There is nothing wrong with our feelings, but they […]
March 29, 2016

What Are You Thinking About?

“We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” See 2 Corinthians 10:5 Your thoughts will destroy your life—if you let them. For years, […]
March 25, 2016

When You Want to Give up on God

“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10 Are you weary? One of the devil’s primary goals is to make Christians weary. […]
March 24, 2016

How to Take Off Your Masks for God

“With unveiled faces we can see and reflect God’s glory.” See 2 Corinthians 3:18 Some years ago, when the Holy Spirit kept on pestering me about […]
March 23, 2016

How Do I Defeat Satan?

“Get out of here, Satan.” ~Jesus See Matthew 4:10 “YOU’RE A LOSER!” “YOU’LL NEVER AMOUNT TO ANYTHING!” “YOU’RE A DRUNK!” “YOU’RE A CHEAT!” “YOU’RE A DRUG […]
March 22, 2016

Does God Really Want to Use Me?

“The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.” Romans 11:29 From start to finish, the Bible is clear: God wants to use people for His plan. It […]
March 20, 2016

What to Do When Christians Bad-Mouth You

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” Ephesians 4:32 Let’s face it, certain Christians talk bad […]
March 17, 2016

Are You Rooted in Love?

“Be rooted and established in love.” See Ephesians 3:17 For so many years I thought I knew what love was, but I had no clue. Like […]
March 16, 2016

Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

“Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself […]
March 11, 2016

Learn Your True Identity to Grow Delicious Fruit

“In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you […]
March 8, 2016

Jesus Loves Using Messed Up People!

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13 Do you ever feel […]
March 7, 2016

What Should I Do With My Bad Thoughts?

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or […]
March 3, 2016

Do All Things Really Work out for Good?

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans […]