…free from your burdens!

Is Change Really Necessary for New Year's Resolutions?
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

(I'm cheating... this is from my blog post yesterday.) I get depressed thinking about making New Year Resolutions. Do you? Do you look at your list six months down the road and think... ACK! I've failed! How often do we recognize what others need to change in their lives before we recognize what changes we need to make? So many of us make New Year’s resolutions with truly less resolution and more "feel better about myself". After the first month it seems all the resolution to change and be a better person dissolves. Sometimes we keep those resolutions…

Twas Anything but Silent
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

Twas the night before Christ was born and all through the barn, all the creatures were stirring wondering who these two were. Mary was frightened and Joseph unsure, It seemed like a blur. They had to leave home to give birth in a barn. It didn't make a bit of sense. The Redeemer born in a barn. And it was anything but silent. The person who wrote "Silent Night Holy Night" apparently didn't have kids. With restless animals and Mary in labor it was not silent. Joseph had to be on edge and unsure what to do. And who delivered the baby? Did neighboring…

Argument From Silence
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

The lack of a specific command in the new testament, especially from the epistles of Paul, for Christians to observe the seventh day Sabbath, or any other day as sacred, has generated two issues: arguments (proof) from silence, and arguments (events) from circumstance. (Jerusalem conference; and Paul's comments on "days“). In the first four verses of Romans 14, Paul addresses those who apparently made religious distinctions concerning foods, which is relatively clear. However, beginning in verse 5, he apparently changes the object of his discussion to address the differences…

The Miracle of Attraction
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

What produces physical chemistry with someone from the very beginning? Everyone from psychologists to astrologers have tried figuring out what provides that all-wonderful, physiological reaction that takes place when man and woman meet for the very first time. What turns your skin moist and warm, your eyes dilated and sleepy eyed, and your blood pressure spiking to astronomical levels, surging with lust upon first glance. Many have crashed a car while staring out the window, or even fainted at first sight at their one-in-a-million guy or girl. But, no matter why or when…

Bible and Quote - May 5-9
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

As for man, his days (come to an end). But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him And His righteousness to children's children.. Psalm 103:15-17 It is a great satisfaction to godly men, when they are going out of the world, to see the affairs of their families in a good posture, their children rising up in their stead to serve God and their generation. Matthew Henry 1662-1714Welsh-born, English nonconformist minister and Bible commentator .O Lord my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty, Covering…

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

Have you ever felt weak as you face a huge task or a change in your life? When we face these things as believers, have we admitted to God we can’t do them by ourselves? We have scriptural evidence that God and the Holy Spirit will help us through. The Apostle Paul spoke many times of weakness, his as well as other that of other people. He shares with the believers in Corinth what the LORD said to Him. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) As human beings, we will face circumstances that…

A good walk spoiled!
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

In twenty-seven years of playing golf I have seen people who absolutely did not belong on a golf course. How do I know that? I had to follow them for the day. Someone once said that, "Golf is a good walk spoiled." Well, following people who have enough money to buy golf clubs and pay greens fees but know nothing of the game must be at the very heart of that statement. That is the problem with golf. People can afford to play the game. But they refuse to invest the time to learn the game. They will not read about it, study it, practice it or even watch it. Then they go…

Sola Scriptura
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

The cry of the Reformation was "Sola Scriptura!" Okay, maybe not, but it was certainly the undergirding concept. Among all the other "solas", the other "only" references (sola scriptura, sola fide, sola gratia, solus Christus, and soli Deo gloria) were based on this one. That is, the claims that we are saved by faith apart from works, saved by grace apart from works, saved by Christ alone, and that God alone deserves glory are all predicated on the notion that Scripture alone is the authority on matters of faith and practice. It was held over against…

Obey, Don't Feel
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

If another believer sins, rebuke him; then if he repents, forgive him. Luke 17:3 Forgiveness is first granted, then felt. Christians frequently raise the objection that if you act forgiving without really feeling it, you are guilty of hypocrisy. But we find in Luke 17 that feelings are not a necessary ingredient of obedience. Jesus began with a warning in verse 3: “Be careful of yourselves.” The warning was necessary; there are many ways to err about forgiveness. The warning is pertinent to many Christians who are caught up in the…

Who Alone is Wise
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

Jude’s marvelous benediction reads: "To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen." (Jude 1.25). There is one phrase in this closing sentence of Jude’s short book which may escape our attention unless something drives us to observe it. That shall be the purpose of this 5 part miniseries, i.e. to drive us to consider the phrase, Who Alone Is Wise. Wisdom is a valuable asset. It cannot insure that we always have only what is best, but it can go a long way toward that end. Circumstances beyond our…

Jesus Gives Basic Principles for Mission and Ministry
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

When we move on into Luke Chapter 10, we are looking at some of the things Jesus did and said once He had set his face to go to Jerusalem. Jesus appointed 72 others - for a period of ministry - sending them out two by two - and they were to go and minister in the various towns and villages, where He planned to go and preach……