The world is a noisy place, clamoring for our attention. We may listen to the agenda-driven media (both sides). We may listen to the politicians, the noise of social media, conspiracy theories, etc. And though we may generously give them our ear, our attention, and our time, they only reward us with feelings of fear, frustration, anger, hatred, and stress.

His name means “pure” or “innocent”, yet he built his lifestyle on corruption and embezzlement. He didn’t care nearly as much about people as he did money and status. He was a very good businessman whose drive and determination had him living a life of luxury. He wanted oversight of the Jericho region because it was the center of the balsam production and exporting. A lot of money was to be made, and he was a go-getter.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased!” – Luke 2:14

Peace on earth has come.  The Greek word used in the New Testament is eirene, which means to join or to set at one again.  It’s a reconciliation that gives us rest and wholeness.

Have you asked God for some weakness this Christmas?  It’s really a great gift (and it’s one we don’t even need to ask for, because we already have it).  It fact, most of us are probably trying to get rid of it.

Don’t despise your weakness!  It’s the portal to power.

There comes a time when we become convinced about the true nature of God (who is by far the most misunderstood person there is). The convincing happens when, in spite of our thoughts and imaginations, our mind is won over by the Spirit of Truth who reveals God to us and testifies of Him.

How is it that people in a relationship with God, who is so loving, so good, and so perfect, find it hard to really enjoy that relationship? Why is it hard for so many to believe in God’s absolute goodness toward them?

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to talk about what we HAVE, rather than what we don’t have. It’s a good time to take inventory of our lives, and give honest attention to the things that make us wealthy souls. Most of us are more wealthy than we realize, and those who DO realize their wealth are also very grateful souls. A grateful soul is also an extremely happy soul. I’m not going to tell you what to do here. Instead, I want to give you an honest look at my inventory…

Maybe you would like to see things the way God sees them. Perhaps you would like to live with a mindset that is full of faith, peace, and patience. Would you like to never feel condemned? Never be overcome by fear? Would you like to just feel happy all of the time?GOOD NEWS! God made it so easy! He demonstrated and taught us how He loves us. He did it through Jesus. He came to live in us, loving us from the inside.

I grew up greatly influenced by rejection in my life.  The rejection made me feel unlovable, and inferior.  As I got older, I just wanted people to like me; and I tried many things to prove my worth as a friend. After my salvation experience, some of those feelings carried over into my relationship with God.  I felt I needed to prove my worth to Him, as well as to myself. As a minister, I tried to inspire people to follow me and to believe in me.  This often resulted in frustration, and sometimes hurt and anger.

“There are things to do and places to go! This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant…” -Romans 8:14,15 MSG

I love to remind people of what they have, not what they don’t have. The grave-tending life is a life of lacks, wants, needs, unfulfilled hopes, and woulda shouldas. It is obsessed with the past. It measures its future by its past. It laments what was, or could have been.

Before I knew Jesus, I was a total do-it-yourself guy. I never asked for help from anyone. It was disastrous and even destructive. After I met the Lord, I tried to bring my DIY mindset into my relationship with Him. I continued that way for twenty years, and though God was with me, my life was still hugely a struggle.

We’re living through an unusual time, no? The Coronavirus has been a part of our collective story together on earth. How we navigate it will either promote peace or panic. We have an opportunity, as sons and daughters of God, to offer hope to this world. We also have the perfect opportunity to take Jesus up on His offer: “Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it.

“You were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” -Ephesians 1:13

The word “sealed” means: to stamp or mark for security or preservation (Strong’s G4972)

During the pandemic, governments imposed “lockdowns”, requesting that people stay home in order to keep them, and others, safe from a potentially dangerous virus.

I once found, in my garage, an old lawn decoration that was a cute rabbit. It was a little chipped and cracked, so I put it out by my back fence, about 50 yards from the patio.

My grandkids were visiting when they noticed the rabbit. I told them it was real, so they went to take a closer look. They went about 3/4 of the way, then turned and walked back.

I was thinking today about how God treats me, how He is always gentle, patient, kind, and unselfish. Then I thought of how His behavior toward me has changed my behavior, first toward Him, and then toward people. It became harder for me to hate, to condemn, and to be angry with others.

John 1:19 “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.”

If I asked you to draw the face of God, what would it look like? Many artists have depicted God in very similar ways, thick gray hair, thick gray beard, and a face that is angry, or at least, stern.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burn out on religion? Jesus says, “Come to me and I will give you rest.” (see Matthew 11:28-30) God’s love for you is so big, so powerful, it has provided for you everything you will ever need!

It had been a while since I’ve read 1 Corinthians 13 in the old King James Version. I guess it was mostly because it used the word “charity” instead of the word “love”.“ Charity” seemed like such a weak and limited way to express the God kind of love that the original Greek language implies; but last week, the Holy Spirit reminded me how powerful charity is.

Each day has a brand new beginning. We don’t have to carry our yesterdays into our todays. Nor do we have to be burdened about what’s to come tomorrow.

I grew up greatly influenced by rejection in my life. The rejection made me feel unlovable, and inferior. As I got older, I just wanted people to like me; and I tried many things to prove my worth as a friend.