…He loves you and guides you!

Spanked or yanked home early?
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

Spanked or yanked home early? 1 John 5:14-17. We are instructed to pray within the will of God according to His will. There is sin that leads to physical death for believers. This whole letter of John's is to and for believers. Verse 16 carries a terrible implication. It is very possible for a believer to sin the final one that is at the end of God's tolerance for His child. In other words, it is the final embarrassment of God and He just yanks that rebellious child home. In this case, the sin that leads to death. You do realize, don’t you, that it is a deliberate…

A Strange Fear
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

There are many sources of fear experienced by the human race. But the fear of repentance...even the word seems to conjure up alarm, discomfort, and an undefinable fear. For some, it is manifested by angry resistance; for others, it is a deep down discomfort or sadness. The Holy Spirit of God moves in many ways. The word Repentance seems rarely to be mentioned - in religious circles or out. Why? Perhaps its like the word Bible, Religion, Sin, etc. All at least imply that one could be required or obligated to do something that he or she would not like to do, even to think about.…

Breaking Records
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

"Bob Beaman's legs gave way, and an astonished and overwhelmed Beamon suffered a brief cataplexy attack brought on by the emotional shock and collapsed to his knees, his body unable to support itself, placing his hands over his face. The news was overwhelming. Bob Beaman shattered the Olympic Long Jump record,……

The Connection between Love and Infatuation
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

The question above is one we’ve all asked ourselves while making that occasional, sizzling eye contact. And it’s also the oldest both men and women have contemplated every time their heart skips that irreversible beat. God made us equipped to love another, to share that certain bond we feel with no one else. But is it love we have while stroking the others hand, or simply an infatuation, a physical response that goes no further than living in the moment when it happens? Let’s start with some definitions: Love is a strong feeling for another which lasts…

Bible and Quote - March 25-29
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. Psalm 51:16 We are so easily seduced into believing that we actually can gain all the approval we need by our behavior. Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.. Psalm 51:17a I have my own will, yet I will the good will of God. Watchman Nee, 1903-72, Chinese Christian evangelist and author A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. Psalm 51:17b Acknowledge your problems…

Character
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

I participate in a small group that is presently reading a collection of stories entitled A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers. The book, a collection of stories about the women in the lineage of Jesus Christ, has study questions at the end of each section. After each story there is a part devoted to studying the scripture on which that story is based. This week, after I finished the third story, that of Ruth, I spent time doing the study. In the section on Reputations, I ran across the sub-section called Finding God’s Way For You. The first question, ”What does…

"As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man." Prov. 27:19
     'Point of Reference' from Fred Price

Two critical studies lend credence to concerns the church and parents have concerning who their young people spend time with and what they expose themselves to through entertainment. Cataloging the behavior of young people and the influences that help shape their actions, they corroborate the premise that who teens……

Winning in Christ Jesus
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

Barring the unthinkable or unimaginable, Ben Curtis should win his second PGA Tour title today. The Booz Allen Classic has been plagued with inclement weather for the duration of the tournament. The venue, the Tour Players Club at Avenel hear Potomac, Maryland, is a beautiful course that has been graciously generous to Curtis this past weekend. He has played almost flawless golf having, at one point, hit twenty-seven consecutive greens in regulation. Now he stands ready to win a tournament as he enters the last seven holes of competition with a commanding eight stroke lead. Don't…

The Fulfilling Marriage
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

What do you look for in a spouse? Is he right for me? Is she good looking? Is he successful? Is she funny? Will he support me? Will she support me? Men and women may have some differences in what they're looking for, and individuals may vary even more widely, but there is, I think, at the bottom a common core. "Will this person help me toward self-fulfillment?" What do you want in a marriage? It probably looks fairly similar. Does he love me like he should? Does she give me what I need? Again, this stuff may vary, so perhaps the best place to look for an answer is in…

A Satisfied Princess
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, what things God has prepared for those who love Him. - 1 Corinthians 2:9 There once was a princess who married a very wealthy commoner. He loved his wife and wanted to please her. So he bought her a huge mansion filled with the most expensive furniture money could buy. He purchased an exquisite wardrobe with each dress having been hand-made by the most famous designers. There were servants for every imaginable need. However, while she smiled when he presented her with yet another gift, she never…

Mercy and not Sacrifice (October 5, 2010)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

The principle of mercy being preferred before sacrifice is an overarching principle that is intended to influence all that we think, do, or say. It is extremely sad that many of the folks who seem to pay the least homage to mercy are the same people who uphold the Bible and claim to be lovers of God. Mercy is akin to compassion, pity and love. It arises from the heart of God and has been manifested to His Creation every minute of every hour that the world has stood! God’s mercy is inexhaustible though there will come a time when the window of mercy closes for the human race…

Experience and Understand the Significance of Pentecost
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

What happened at Pentecost and how is this so highly relevant to the Church of Jesus Christ today? Why does this matter? It is much more important than many realise. I always knew there was something more – but it was not until January 1969, when Jim Kincaid walked into our Fraternal and……