Our identities can be fragile things. Insecurities color the way we see ourselves. Nervousness and anxiety can settle into our hearts when we are confused about who we are. This is precisely the reason that the first book of the Bible was written. Yes, Genesis includes words from God given...

With Jesus of Nazareth at Calvary, there hung two thieves. One thief somehow came to understand that the cross was where he belonged. His life spent steeped in crime meant that he had often found himself entangled in the Roman justice system. The logical outcome of his series of decisions...

“But you, Oh man of God …” Those are the words of Paul, the veteran, church-planting, Bible-teaching missionary pastor. He directed them to one of his “sons” – Timothy, a young man from Lystra. This man became one of Paul’s most fruitful teammates in the work of spreading the Gospel...

The feast of communion is to be a meal scented by fragrances of memory. Jesus took the bread at the Last Supper and presented it as His Body. True to His teaching method, the Savior fashioned a metaphor to drive home the message of His life. He came to earth....

This is the oft-misunderstood story of Magic Simon. Simon was a something of a wizard, a conjurer in Samaria, as we read in Acts 8. He astonished people with his tricks and his words. He held audiences captive and became a great celebrity over his years there. He had status...

The Lord delights in our delight to do His Will, responding to His Love and not to fear of what might happen if we don't do what He asks! Therefore, although He has the right to demand the yielding of our lives to Him, He instead woos us into willingly,...

Weakness wins – sometimes. We grow weary in our well doing. We feel alone and forgotten. We stumble and struggle to take the next step. What is it that should come to mind when we find ourselves feeling this way? I think it is this:  “I chose you.” Jesus spoke...

Judas and John and Jesus. They spent so much time together through the three years of Jesus’ public ministry. They walked and talked together. Kingdom words were spoken and defined. The miracles of Christ played out in towns and villages, in the streets and at the Temple.  Blind men had...

 “…Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Romans 4:7 ” … even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 “I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. 1 John 2:12 These verses and others...

I read something horrible this week. A pastor and ministry leader pleaded guilty to molestation of young girls and was sentenced to nearly 20 years. The man is 75 and in poor health. He’s likely to spend the rest of his days behind bars. It is something he expected and...