Choices Control Your Calendar
We are each responsible for our own conduct. Galatians 6:5 (NLT) *** *** *** *** Your choices control your calendar and, as a result, your lifestyle. Your choices are far more powerful than your circumstances. You may not like how complicated your life has become yet, with very few exceptions, no one is forcing you to keep your life complicated. You have the power to simplify your life. The Bible teaches, “We are each responsible for our own conduct” (Galatians 6:5 NLT). To me, that means God expects us to assume responsibility for our lives and to …
Choosing a Simpler Life
. . . a time to embrace and a time to refrain. Ecclesiastes 3:5 (NIV) *** *** *** *** You’d think that living in Southern California means I’m surrounded by people who live a laid-back lifestyle. The truth is just the opposite: Most of the people I know are trying to cram more and more into each day. For instance, a couple of years ago, I was with a group of friends driving down the interstate. At one point, I looked around and realized most of us were engaged in some activity other than talking to each other. …
Sharing Your Life Message
“Those who believe in the Son of God have the testimony of God in them.” (1 John 5:10a GW) “Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word …. The news of your faith in God is out. We don’t even have to say anything anymore – you’re the message!” (1 Thessalonians 1:8 MSG) When you became a believer, you also became God’s messenger. God wants to speak to the world through you. Paul said, “We speak the truth before God, as messengers of God.” (2 Corinthians 2:17b NCV) Your Life Message includes your life lessons. These are insights …
Jesus Taught the Most Important Command Is to Love
Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31 (NLT) *** *** *** *** Today’s guest devotional is from Tom Holladay, teaching pastor at Saddleback Church. One of the most noticeable things about Jesus’ interactions with others is how people love to ask him …
Jesus Placed the Highest Value on Relationships
Regarding life together and getting along with each other, you don’t need me to tell you what to do. You’re God-taught in these matters. Just love one another! 1 Thessalonians 4:9 (MSG) *** *** *** *** Today’s guest devotional is from Tom Holladay, teaching pastor at Saddleback Church. I don’t remember the time or the place or the conference, but the question the moderator asked has stuck in my mind. What I recall most vividly is the answer that immediately flashed into my thoughts. Here is the question: Suppose you’re in a rubber life raft with a …
Jesus Taught Nothing Is More Important Than Relationships
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:11 (NIV) *** *** *** *** Today’s guest devotional is from Tom Holladay, teaching pastor at Saddleback Church. Relationships are filled with both wonder and pain. When I think of the pain of relationships, literally hundreds of pictures flood into my mind from my thirty years as a pastor: · A couple on the verge of a divorce neither one wants yet both are choosing. · Parents who can’t get through to their child, no matter how much time, money, …
Nurturing a Quiet Soul
But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. Psalm 131:2 (NIV) *** *** *** *** Today’s guest devotional is provided by Jon Walker – My older sister, Lori Hensley, a very serious prayer warrior, once taught me to meditate on Psalm 131 to help me move toward God’s peace that passes all understanding: We keep our hearts humble. This doesn’t mean we have a low opinion of ourselves. A humble heart means we know our position in Christ, and so we …
Movie Review: Changeling
One of the things I admire most about Clint Eastwood is his approach to films as an actor, and a director. As an actor, even in his most explosive roles such as Dirty Harry, he doesn’t go over the top. As a director, he mimics this by drawing a picture but not always filling in all of the colors. He knows how to shoot a film, and he knows how to let his actors tell the story while he sits back and lets the cameras roll. He did this masterfully with “Mystic River”. He did not with “Changeling”. A film …
a Danny-like request
Several of our church members are in a struggle with cancer. I have come to know a mother of four whose husband is in jail and she is left with very little income and no health insurance. Recently a man called me and described his personal war with pornography and how his addiction has cost him his wife, his kids and his job. There are times when I am overwhelmed with frustration. I am mad at Satan and his victories. And, I have to admit, I get mad at God that He allows such brokenness. Then I met 20 year …
Who’s Advising You?
Counsel in the heart of man is like water in a deep well, but a man of understanding draws it out. Proverbs 20:5 (AMP) *** *** *** *** We all need mentors – people who personally coach us in our walk with God. When I am with a mentor, I ask questions. Asking questions adds to the quality of your life: “Counsel in the heart of man is like water in a deep well, but a man of understanding draws it out” (Proverbs 20:5 AMP). Every person has a reservoir of knowledge, skills, and experience to …
