What and In Who Do You Choose to Believe? “And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” Genesis 15:6 (ESV) Life can be daunting, circumstances and the enemy can work against us and rob us of our joy and peace. However, we hold the power through the cross of Jesus Christ to allow the robbery or not. If you live in an area where even moderate crime exists do you not lock your doors to prevent robbery, or use an alarm system? How much more should you protect your heart from anything …
Does God Believe in You
Has anyone ever asked you, “do you believe in God?” If you answered yes, and followed through with it, you’re a Christian. But, have you ever asked yourself, “does God believe in me?” And, what does that really mean, anyway? God created humanity and every living thing on earth. Those of us who believe this know that we serve an amazing, omnipotent God. He’s everywhere, all the time. He existed before time itself and yet, we rarely ask ourselves, “does God believe in me?” Does He believe me when i say I love Him and want my life to change? …
Believe and Live
But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31 The reason John wrote his gospel is the same reason many of us talk to our children and grandchildren about Jesus: we want them to have eternal life! On Easter Sunday morning this year, we watched as a little girl in our church was baptized. The children’s pastor commented that when he asked her about coming to know Jesus she responded, “My family talks to me about Jesus all …
Abraham Believed God
Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6 The word, credited, carries the meaning of assigning value or putting something into someone else’s account. Where NIV uses credited (as noted above), other versions translate this Hebrew word: Counted(KJV) Reckoned(NASB) My husband, the college professor, has often been asked by his students, “Will you give me credit for this answer?” or “Can I get partial credit?” In the old days, country doctors (and probably city doctors, too!) accepted milk or eggs in credit for services rendered. We use the phrase, “I’ll give you credit for trying…” It all carries …
Jesus The Way, The Truth and The Life
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 This verse may be familiar to many of us. The phrase, “…the way and the truth and the life” may easily roll off our tongues, because we have heard it quoted many times. We may have committed it to memory if we grew up in Sunday School or Awana. We may be struck by the combination of these three descriptors: way, truth, life. These are an interesting combination. As we focus on the words individually, it prompts us to …
Courage in the Crisis
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1: 9 (ESV) “One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as He promised you.” Joshua 23: 10 (ESV) “And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed you. All have come to pass for you; …
There’ll be No Hypocrisy in Heaven!
It will be wonderful to live in heaven where no one will need to try and impress each other. And whether we admit it or not, deep within each life is the desire to be loved and accepted. I believe the most devout and famous preacher long to be accepted by his congregation. Pastors are human, and they want to be loved and accepted. In the largest churches, if attendance dwindled down consistently, pastors would be looking for other churches to pastor. I’m not suggesting the message be watered down, but he wants to present the gospel in an appealing …
Faith in Believing
I can’t fathom how an atheist makes it through one day, much less a life time. It’s also difficult to understand how someone that believes in God but hasn’t made Jesus Lord of their life can make it through a day. I know Jesus and I struggle, but only because the devil is fighting against me. I always win with Jesus. After Jesus was crucified, He appeared to His disciples when they were meeting behind locked doors. They were filled with joy. Jesus showed them the holes in His hands and the wound in His side. One of Jesus’ disciples, …
Be The One
Standing in the crowd of third graders, I was shorter than anyone but I was fast. Two of my classmates had been chosen to be team captains and now they were choosing their friends, the athletes and the popular kids. I desperately hoped they chose me. I wanted to be the one. Mark 9:23, “All things are possible to the one who believes.” HCSB I still want to be the one. I want to be the one who believes. I want to be the one God uses, the one He chooses. God apparently doesn’t choose based on ability, looks or …
Confidence in God
Joshua’s first major task was to get the entire nation across the flooded Jordan River. Here in Arkansas, we have learned first-hand about flood waters this spring and readily recite the new motto, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” To enter the Promised Land required crossing the river. Joshua 3: 7-13 “And the Lord said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. 8 You shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, ‘When you …
Focus on Who Your God Is
A 6-Day Look at a Desperate Dilemma From 2 Chronicles 20 Overview passage: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 Today’s study: 2 Chronicles 20:5-12 “Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard and said, ‘O Lord, God of our fathers, are You not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in Your hand and no one can withstand You. O our God, did You not drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people …
Knowing What You Believe
Scientists haven’t discovered a tool yet to see human beliefs. It is actually not until we are faced with a situation that our belief systems are called to the forefront and our actions follow suit. I recall the season that I was discerning the voice of God telling me it was time to leave my job. I distinctly remember trying to find an alternative to His command so “I” could suffice for the income that would be loss as a result of my leaving. Yes, I was essentially trying to help God help me! And so …