…you are the image of your creator!

The Simple Truth
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand or perform. – Deuteronomy 30:11 Naaman was a celebrated, powerful officer in the Assyrian army, who had a huge problem: leprosy. He heard of an Israeli prophet with the power to heal him, so he asked for and received permission to travel to Israel (a considerable effort in the day) to find this prophet. The Assyrian king tried to help with a letter of introduction to the king of Israel, asking him to heal Naaman. The Israelite king thought that Naaman was trying to provoke a war. The prophet,…

Comfort in the Psalms I (12/7/10)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

Have you ever stopped to think that our entire lives are spent seeking comfort? It must be an important and innate instinct with which we are born and which stays with us until death. Today's continuance of devotional thoughts on comfort will begin a look at the Psalms and how they relate to comfort generally. Although I may not know you personally, I would almost wager that as an infant you cried when you were hungry and also let it be known in a similar way when you were wet! Why? Because there was a need for comfort that was a part of your being even at that early age. A favorite…

Be Thoroughly Patient
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

James 1:4 AMP But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. The best long distance runners not only need to be physically tough but also mentally tough. They must be patient or have much patience to get to the finish line. What does patience mean? This is how the dictionary defines patience: The quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or…

The Crowns of the Believers
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

Five years ago I posted this article here after I studied the Crowns for a Sunday school lesson. It is one of the most popular articles I have on my website. More people copy this one than any other article (more than 12,000 so far). I then taught it to my Thursday morning Bible study class after doing a lot more digging into Scripture. God kept nudging me (you might could call that nagging me) to put it all down in a book. Many prayers, late nights, study, and 130 pages later, the book is published. You can read the first chapter, and order the book at Amazon. My missionary…

Thankfulness For Protection
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

When we belong to Christ, we are promised protection - protection from events that could destroy us. God assigns an angel that is with us continually to protect and guard us from many different occurrences in our lives. These events run the spectrum of protection from accidents, the evil intents of other people, and protection from human mistakes that we all are subject to, and from Satan's traps and tricks. There are many scriptures in the Bible that refer to physical protection for God's children while in the flesh. David praises God for the amazimg protection and deliverance from…

Love Advice. Who's Qualified to Give?
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

Eyes meet; two bodies and their souls come together. The sparks fly, the clouds part, food tastes better, the fragrance of flowers sweeter, you start walking around in a daze 24/7, everything’s finally making sense and your life has new meaning like never before until… When things go wrong, or even well, in the arena of love lots of people go looking for advice. They seek out friends, family, psychiatrist’s, astrologers, those grey-haired couples who’ve been married for most of their lives, even their local bartender or barber gets an unwilling ear…

Bible and Quote - October 19-23
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my groaning (a quiet expression of feelings). Psalm 5:1 People that love us interpret our words, sighs, and expressions based on their knowledge of us - how much more so does our God who comprehends, loves and understands us perfectly. Heed the sound of my cry (great distress) for help, my King and my God ('elohiym), For to You I pray. Psalm 5:2 Faith is not so much belief about God as it is total, personal trust in God, rising to a personal fellowship with God that is stronger than anxiety and guilt, loneliness and all manner of…

A Friend Loves
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

“A Friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17 (NIV) As I initially start to write this essay, I am preparing to go to a celebration of life. A very dear friend of ours has been allowed to go live with Jesus. This is a bittersweet time for those who knew her. King Solomon spoke of two relationships in our focus verse. That of a friend, then of a brother. As I was growing up, I heard people say, “I know who my true friends are.” Something had happened in their lives and certain “friends”…

Payment for Service
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

Ah, I love election years. Everything you never really wanted to know about anyone and were just not interested enough to find out. The case in question right now? President Bush and his military service with the National Guard. Did he or didn't he report to Montgomery, Alabama? The man who will probably oppose him in this year's presidential election is thrice decorated John Kerry, a veteran of the Vietnam War. His service record is impressive and his dedication to his country unimpeachable. But did President Bush fulfill his service? The proof that is being offered…

What Is This Thing Called Forgiveness?
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

I've written before about forgiveness, about how it is not unconditional and about how it is not "feeling better toward" someone. That's what it is not. What is it? Basically, forgiveness is releasing someone from further obligation. The forgiver has been wronged and grants to the forgivee a pardon from future punishment or restitution. Note that this is not cheap or free. It's not as if the debt isn't paid. When forgiveness is granted, the forgiver takes the payment of the debt on himself. The way the Old Testament expresses forgiveness is to "remember no more"…