Why doesn’t God give us immediate and endless helpings of what we want? The same reason why parents don’t give their children endless meals of candy and sweets. It is not good for them! The value of Fatherly discipline is that it is first of all a proof of God’s love for us. This principle has the potential to completely change the way we view events which we could easily become bitter over. Learning to remember that our loving heavenly Father is allowing this event for both His glory and our good helps us to ignore the red stuff and seek the birthright. God’s discipline is an essential component to demonstrating that we are a part of God’s family. We often go to the idea that God disciplines us because He is attempting to get even with us, but the reality is that God does this because He loves us enough to be involved in making us more like His Son. The next time you are tempted to think that God doesn’t care about you, remember the words of Hebrews 12:6 “the Lord disciplines those He loves.” Remember that for those who are his enemies, in due season, His wrath … READ MORE

One of the most amazing statements in Scripture is uttered in Matthew 28:6. It is made to the women who come to the bomb to anoint the body of Jesus. Arriving to the empty tomb an angel says to them, “He is not here; for His is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” The empty tomb is the proof that the death of Christ was sufficient to take away our sin. Jesus began teaching he disciples back in Matthew 16:21 that he would raise from the dead three days after his death. The resurrection demonstrated that Jesus was who He said, and that He truly had the power over death. 1 Corinthians 15 gives a vivid apologetic for the resurrection and its power. We are reminded every Easter/Passover season, that Jesus has the ability to transform us from death to life. We do not earn our transformation, it is imputed to us by the Power of Christ. Our service to the Lord is out of gratitude for that transformation, not to gain merit either for salvation, or for our service. God does not owe us for what we do to serve Him, we serve … READ MORE

Psalm 9:1-2 says, “I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.  I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”  We have so much to be grateful for in our lives.  Much of which we simply take for granted.  Just the privilege of getting up each morning to a new day to see the beauty of that day, and to seek to understand the plan and purpose of our God in providing for each breath we take.  I am in awe at all that the Lord does to make my life such a blessing to enjoy, and how I am privileged to be used by Him to minister in the lives of many.  May you have the wisdom and presence of mind to reflect on the things that God has done for you. … READ MORE