Uncontrollable tears always flow when I remember that powerful moment in the movie the Passion of Christ. You may recall where Jesus’ mother comes running to Him beaten and bloodied in the streets after He falls down under the cross. Jesus looks up at her and says, “See mother, I make all things new.” All my hopes and dreams rest on these words. Thank you Lord Jesus!
“Behold, I am making all things new.” Jesus Conversations Within
We know Jesus went through the unimaginable to secure our forgiveness with God. He asks us to love as he has loved us. This pretty much means that when needed, we endure whatever to help the people in our life, and not just family, but those God places in our path. I can think of a few times when my personal comfort has shamefully kept me from doing this.
‘Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with
All my hopes and dreams rest on what Jesus has done for us at the cross. I cannot explain the mysteries, but I trust in them nonetheless. I also cannot explain the many operations of the physical universe, but I live in them everyday as I do spiritual laws. All I know is that healing, my healing is the assured reality that waits for us.
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our
Faithfulness calls out to us on those days when we're just not feeling it. Plug along anyway, even if you have to break it down in tiny steps. Just keep moving and go until you can go no more. When that happens, no worries, this is what God had in mind.
“The fruit of the Spirit is…faithfulness…” Gal.5
Someone observed that the letter in the middle of the word “sin” says it all. Sadly I know this to be true. Too much me ruins it all. Do not be a “Here I am” person, but a “There you are” person.
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant
The crowds shouted Hosanna to the King of Kings as Jesus entered the city, and a week later they called for His crucifixion. We should guard our hearts from the accolades of fickle humans, and instead live our lives for the pleasure of God and His unchanging love.
“Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “
Opportunities abound everyday to love and be loved. If what we do today has nothing to do with love, it is surely a waste of time. Love teaches us to give our energy to matters that matter. Love is a manner of living. It is a wholeness that flows into everything. Love is life. God is love.
“The only thing that matters is faith expressing itself in
The sun is up and I bet you can think of a reason to smile. If you can’t, I just gave you one. The sun rose. Most of the time our blessings are right in front of us. Begin each day with gratitude, even for the little things, and perhaps at the end of the day you will smile again when the sun sets.
“From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.” Ps.113 Conversations Within ts 3/12/
I admit that I have pictured where and how I would like to die. Somewhere outside down by water with my family and friends. Better yet, how about skipping death altogether, and being taken up into the clouds when Jesus returns. Yeah! That sounds about right. In any case I want to be surprised by joy, and to be found doing my masters will.
“Blessed is that servant whom his master finds so doing when He comes.” Jesus Conversations Within ts
Sometimes the best thing we can do to help someone is to let them work it out. There is a learning curve for living life as God intends. This doesn’t mean that we can help bear their burdens, offer encouragement, and help them as we are able without interfering in the learning curve.
“Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Conversations Within ts 3/11/
My wife is the joy of my life. I enjoy her company. I enjoy pleasing her. I am hers and she is mine. I sometimes get overwhelmed thinking about this. I can honestly say that I can ditto the same sentiments and trust where God is concerned. I am a wealthy man.
“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is
It is one thing to care about others, and an entirely different thing to care about what others think of you. Someone wisely wrote that we should have “One director and One audience." There is one person who should direct our thoughts and lives. And one person we principally want to please.
“I always do what pleases Him.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 3/9/
We are given the assurance that our Father directs us even while we make hundreds of decisions each day. We are also given the assurance that when we truly want His will, even our inadequate choices are brought together for His good
A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. Conversations Within ts 3/6/2024
I drink coffee everyday and would not want to start the day without it. My cup sits next to me right now as I pray, reflect, and write. This routine has become my favorite part of the day. I am grateful for the focus and peace found in this simple start to each day.
“You, Lord, are my cup and my chosen portion.” Ps.16 Conversations Within ts 3/5/
A loving God wisely established all the rhythms of life, physical, and spiritual. Hot and cold, day and night, good times and bad, sickness and health are His designs. Remind yourself not to sweat over sweating on a hot day. Hot days and hard times belong to Him and express His love for us as much as times of ease.
“The day is yours, the night also. You established the sun and moon.”
People do all kinds of silly things in the pursuit of happiness. I certainly have. Experience has taught me that we can “look for love in all the wrong places.” Truly it is wise to stop looking for love or happiness. Both are not something we pursue as it is the fruit of doing what is good, right and true.
“...life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Jesus Conversations Within ts 3/3/2024
Martin Luther said, “I often laugh at Satan, and there is nothing that makes him so angry as when I attack him to his face….” I am learning to follow suit with this bit of wisdom. Laugh at every temptation to worry, to fear, even to doubt. If you are a child of God, why stress out when you have every reason to laugh.
“He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy..” Job
Fries are good. Salad is good. Wisdom is knowing when to choose what. The thing about wisdom is its benefit lies not in the knowing but in ther choosing. Wisdom is wise action.
“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live…”
What can we do when we are tempted to worry? We can accept that whatever is facing us is what it is, and accept that God has allowed and made provision for it. We can transfer our energy to do what we can and give the rest to Him.
“Do not worry about anything, but pray about everything….Phil.4 Conversations Within ts 2/28/2024
One night, I was having doubts about my usefulness to God. I asked Him about it. Instantly I received a text message from a former student, thanking me for helping his spiritual life. God spoke to me through him at a moment when I needed encouragement. May God speak through us not just to us.
“‘From the lips of children and
Physical and emotional pain are common. Learning to smile in the midst of pain is one way to keep suffering out of it. The physical act of smiling promotes and expresses the spiritual act of trusting in God. Phyllis Diller once said, “A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.”
“Armed with
There are many things I do not understand about all that God does and does not do. I am sure He wants my confidence to grow, not just in the outcome, but in the way He decides to bring it about. This means that pain is a necessary ingredient in it all. God does more than permit pain, he uses it and always for gain.
"Man is also trained with pain on his bed, And with strong pain in many of his bones.” Job 33 Conversations Within ts 2/24/2024
There is a story in the Bible where God told Paul that He would keep him and the crew safe in a violent storm. As the narrative unfolds, the ship crashed into rocks and everyone had to swim ashore. We should make no mistake about it, God saved them, and He used their swimming to do so. We should not be surprised that when we pray for health, God may encourage us to change our eating habits.
“So take heart, men, for I have faith in God... He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land...Acts 27 ESV Conversations Within ts 2/23/
Some quotes just stay with me. The one above frequently comes to mind, mainly because I find myself trying too hard to do things I know should be second nature by now. How wonderful it would be if everything good for you came with great pleasure.
“I always do what pleases him." Jesus Conversations Within ts 2/22/
Most of us appreciate sincerity. Even so, it would be a mistake to believe that just because someone is being sincere they are in the right. Someone can be sincerely wrong. But, self honesty is a great first step in the discovery of what is wrong and right. If I smile on my beliefs let me strive to examine them in the light of truth, not just sincerity.
“Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience,
