…free from your burdens!

Kindness and Repentance
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? (Romans 2:4)Romans 2.4" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Rom%202.4" class="rtBibleRef"> I'm sure you've seen that one before. Indeed, we really like that one. "It's His kindness that leads us to repentance." Meaning, "Not His wrath or His judgment or all those crazy threats about Hell. No, we are drawn to Christ by His kindness and not 'scared to Him' by fear." But ... is that what it means? Jesus was not shy…

Worshipping Mental Gods
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

Then God spoke all these words, saying, I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing loving kindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep…

A Hard Saying (3-17-11)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

“Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can understand it?’ When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, ‘Does this offend you? What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. And…

Prophets Do Not Get Promoted They Get Pelted!
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

Having looked briefly at the Prophets during this sweep through the scriptures let’s pause and consider the person of the prophet, and the place of the “Prophetic Ministry". There is such a great need for Prophetic Ministry - men hearing from God and speaking what God would have them……

Discussion of Goodness
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

Several years ago I wrote several stories , one for each part of the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The story on goodness gave me pause. The idea of goodness is not foreign, but to define it was difficult for me. I’m talking about the biblical definition. If you recall, Jesus said, “There is only One good.” (Luke 18:19) What did He mean by that? There are two Greek words for good. Agathos (ag-ath-os’), a primary word meaning intrinsic benefit or well; kalos (kal-os'),…

Easter-The Great Interruption
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

There is something terribly wrong", ringed the voice in my head as I laid in the shredded lawn. I was semi-conscious and quite unsure of the cause of the accident I was in. It was sudden, quick and caught me off guard. It was the turn. It was sharper than expected and my tires couldn't keep me on the road at the speed I was going. It was a simple misjudgment on my part that flung me from my car and took me to the edge of death. Laying there in darkness, alone and shocked, I wondered if this was the end. I knew where I was going but the thought of death and living forever…

The World Today
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

The world is changing... Perhaps this is an understatement, or perhaps an overstatement depending on the ones who hear the statement. The world, where ever your world is, undoubtedly is undergoing change of some kind. And much of it not for the good. Change per se isn't necessarily bad or evil. It depends on the place and kind of change. Change is particularly noticeable in larger cities, but is occurring also in smaller towns. And even "country" areas. All of these changes are occurring quickly. Sometimes almost breathtaking in degree and speed. Few want to wait for…

Our Children Are Our Future
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

I’m the proud uncle of two outstanding teenage boys. Both are heavily involved in sports, school activities, church groups, and scholastic organizations. They’ve been raised well, and are both on their way to positive futures with nothing but full lives ahead. One recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, an honor within the Boy Scouts of America organization carrying with it a super-high level of honor and achievement. It’s something that only a small percentage of young people ever reach within that establishment, and it required a huge dedication of time,…

Bible and Quote - February 23-27
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

.I love Your commandments Above gold. Psalm 119:127a For those who fear God and walk uprightly, prosperity does not destroy the holiness of his life, or the humility of his heart. Charles Spurgeon, 1834-92 I esteem right all Your precepts concerning everything, I hate every false way. Psalm 119:128 God’s Word is to be the plumb line of life. Kay Arthur, teacher and author, Precept Ministries International The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130 Wonderful is the depth of thy words, whose surface…

Come By Here
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will fl their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) I recently received a small devotional book from a blogging friend. As I read part of it one morning, I felt the need for God’s presence to be near the circumstance she described. As I thought about different issues affecting Christian people, I found myself asking God to “Come by Here.” The…

Speed or Desire?
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

As a youth, and on into my young adult years, I played a number of different sports which required that I run and run fast. At various times during my sports ventures I was actually timed for my speed. I was not the fastest person on the team when such times were taken. In truth, I was generally somewhere in the middle of the pack as having "normal" speed. But I never worried about it. I was able to get to that deep fly ball to center field. I could get behind the defensive back and catch the pass and then outrun the defender to the endzone for the touchdown. I could run…