Articles

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:31-33 ESV) Food, drink, and clothing. In Scripture, that’s what Jesus tells us that we need. But what he asks is that we seek him first. God wants us to have a

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:12-14 ESV) Jesus tells us to ask and we will receive, but there is a detail that we often forget. It’s those three little words – “in my name.” In our asking there should

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV) It’s a verse we’ve seen on coffee mugs and graduation cards. At first glance we think it’s about prosperity and things going well in our days ahead. But the true meaning often gets lost in translation. In fact, the word “prosper” translated from the original Hebrew is actually “shalom” which means peace. That gives thi

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Matthew 4:19 NIV) We are not meant to travel this journey alone. With his words, “Follow Me,” Jesus was forming a community of believers to encourage one another and to carry on his message – together. He did not want his original followers to stumble through life alone. And he doesn’t want us to do that either. Isolation can be a real problem. When the world shut down and we were forced inside duri

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. (Genesis 1:31 NIV) God created the heavens and the earth and said, “It was very good.” These would not be the words I would choose. Miraculous. Breathtaking. Magnificent. Awe-inspiring. WOW! When I look around at the beauty in creation, be it dazzling sunsets or snow-capped mountains, I am often speechless. There are no words to accurately capture the beauty that ab

All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:25-26 NIV) Comforter. Counselor. Advocate. Spirit of Truth. Guide. Intercessor. All of these words describe God’s Holy Spirit. And the most miraculous thing is that this Spirit lives in us. Stop. Think about that. God. Lives. In. You. That should knock us to the ground in

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him “Immanuel” (which means "God with us”). (Matthew 1:23 NIV) God is with us. When God became flesh and walked among us through the person of Jesus, he became a real and visible presence in our world. The Gospels tell us that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, performed miracles, preached in synagogues and on mountaintops, then died on a cross for mankind. He was fully divine and fully human, with a mission

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV) I am with you always. Really? Many times, I don’t feel God’s presence. But I know he is there. Scripture assures me. In fact, John 1:1 states that the Word existed “in the beginning” and that the Word was no

It was the worst of times. It was the best of times. Yes, I’m talking about 2020. For many, it was a very difficult year – loss of jobs, death of loved ones, racial unrest, homeschooling, isolation. And as I reflect back, two words continue to simmer and resurface – “Revealing” and “Opportunity.” Revealing. Events of 2020 pulled back the curtain from issues that have existed for years, both personally and nationally. The year that just ended brought chronic division to the su