"For by grace you have been save through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God..." (Ephesians 2:8) Faith is a gift. It is true that we must respond to that gift by receiving it, but it all comes from God's gracious initiative. God prepares my heart to hear the …
A Note on Hope…
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.". (Romans 15:13) Hope is the confident expectation of the fulfillment of God's promises and the saving work of Jesus to bring us to our true Home. Our …
A Shaft of Grace…
"You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.". (Psalm 18:28, RSVCE). Have you ever had this happen to you? You are struggling with something, and suddenly your confusion clears. It's as though a sudden shaft of light has appeared, illuminating the darkness that had clouded your mind, that had made …
Am I Tying God’s Hands?…
"...So he was not able to perform any mighty deeds there...He was amazed at their lack of faith." (Mark 6:5-6) It was early in Jesus's ministry. He had already cast out demons, cleansed a leper, healed a paralytic, a man with a withered hand and a woman with a bleeding disorder among many other healings. …
The Comfort of Presence…
"Could you not watch with me one hour?" (Matthew 26:40) Jesus says these words to Peter, James and John whom he had asked to "watch" with him during his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. All he asked was for them to be near him as he struggled. Unfortunately, they fell asleep several times, and …
Get Some Rest…
"...Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest..." (Mark 6:31, NIV) These are Jesus's words spoken to his disciples. I think this is his advice to each of us in this present time as well. He is inviting us - me, individually - to an intimate encounter with him, one which requires …
Learning Not to Resist…
"Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you." (Psalm 32:9, NIV) Why might a horse or a mule resist coming to their owner? Because they cannot be reasoned with - they "have no understanding", says …
His Easy Yoke…
"Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me... and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30, RSVCE). When I say my "yes" to God's offer of …
How Does “Everything work together for good”?…
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.". (Romans 8:28-29, …
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What are Strongholds?…
"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ". (2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NIV) "Strongholds" are …
Lessons From Love School 