Surely the human mind and heart are deep, mysterious, unsearchable, and complex. (Psalm 64:6 paraphrase) Christ-like Love Christian mercy includes giving people the benefit of doubt and not making assumptions about them. Various Scriptures lead me to this conclusion: “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out….For who knows a person’s …
Walking in Christ’s Light
You have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life….Happy are the people who know how to praise you, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face….Jesus said: I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have …
Jesus, My Strength and Shield
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I give thanks to Him in song. (Psalm 28:7) I used this Scripture with a couple in counseling and they asked me to write down my thoughts. It’s an expanded meditation on a single verse that might …
Learning from Katie Luther
Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as …
Christ Knows What He’s Doing (Hurricane Harvey Anniversary)
In Houston, Harvey’s anniversary is being remembered. In case you missed them, you may read our related postings written in 2017: The Blue Marble & Hurricane Harvey Jesus, Hurricanes, God’s Power & Peace Being a “Deacon” to People Who Have None Hurricane Harvey engulfed the Houston metro area and was the costliest tropical cyclone on record. Many have not yet …
Ways to Choose Happiness in Your Life
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God. (Psalm 146:5) Pastor Randy Alcorn states: The happiest people in the world have a deep, gratitude-drenched relationship with Christ. We don’t pretend all is well. But knowing God’s commands to rejoice in Him through His all-sufficient power, we meditate on His word …
Christ: The Lifter of My Head
You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. (Psalm 3:3, NKJ) Why do we need Jesus to lift us up? One magazine surveyed readers about grief and nearly 10,000 people responded. Many had lost a loved one years ago, but still felt a continual sense of misery. Many still dreamed …
Total Forgiveness in Jesus: The Rooster Story
Expanded from Kairos Prison Ministry. Used also in teaching and counseling. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever. He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. (Psalm 103:8-9) The Story Jacob, an East Texas farmer, …
Christ Will Not Forget You (Part 2): Chosen by a Stronger Love
God’s people said, “The Lord has forsaken me.” He answered, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.” (Isaiah 49:14-16) This is Part 2 of a 5-part series that …
Jesus is Quiet Over You in His Love
The LORD your God…will be quiet over you in His love…. (Zephaniah 3:17, my translation1) From Christ is Everything to His Followers; Belhaven University (OT & NT Survey); Bible in 90 Days; other teaching, training, counseling, and prison work. An Illustration of Quiet Love Imagine a surgeon named Dolan, telling of a young woman he operated on. After she awakes …