Ruth 3 – The blending of lives is a beautiful thing. We probably don’t think about that much with the relationships we hold. But all…
relationships
134 posts
Ruth 2 – The hand of God is always at work. There are no coincidences. When God is moving among His people, His hand is always leading and working…
Isaiah 59 – Sin is offensive. There, I said it. We are so good at relegating our sins to the back burner of thought. We insanely justify behavior that…
Isaiah 55 – The invitation has been sent. All are asked to join our Lord of Hosts, God Almighty, the Redeemer Jesus. The invitation is for all but many…
Isaiah 40 – This life is a fleeting experience compared to the life of eternity that awaits. Sometimes we get so caught up in the mundane…
Isaiah 31 – Where’s your trust? No, I’m serious. Stop and look at your life at the moment. The areas that have spun completely out of control. The relationships…
Isaiah 30 – We are people who see a problem and resolve to fix it. We’re often those who weigh in on some situation and in our own thinking…
Isaiah 29 – We’re all guilty of it from time to time. Going through the motions with anything we’ve become accustomed to doing can be a deadly careless action….
Isaiah 26 – Difficulties and turmoil bombard us from time to time. We struggle with physical illness. We have broken relationships that tear us apart. We wrestle with our…
Isaiah 25 – Following a chapter on the destruction and judgment of God, we read a deeply personal appeal to His faithfulness. It almost…
Isaiah 22 – How do you handle the immense spiritual burdens of others? Isaiah wept over Israel. You can feel his raw emotion in verse 4. He refuses…
Isaiah 12 – This calls for a celebration! This chapter is a song of gratitude to the Lord. Let us rejoice for what He is has done!
Ephesians 6 – As Paul brings his final thoughts to a close within his letter, he has spoken of a deep calling upon every Believer’s life. He’s been…
Galatians 5 – Sometimes inventories are good. This is particularly true in those quiet moments when we take the time to think about our spiritual life. These can be…
Galatians 2 – The tension was high. I was a missionary attending an English speaking congregation and was actively involved in some ministries. An all church meeting was called…
Galatians 1 – Freedom. Across this globe, there is a longing for freedom from tyranny. There is a desire to be free from the underbelly of sex trafficking. There…
Exodus 37 – There are many key tabernacle pieces listed to be constructed under the direction of God and carried out by Bezalel. Each had specific purpose…
Exodus 22 – Upon reading these laws set by God it would seem or appear they’re pretty stringent or picky. That is simply not the case as…
Exodus 7 – The hardening of Pharaoh’s heart was something God had reminded Moses of time and time again…
Judges 15 – Samson continued to act within the flesh. Driven by his own wants and desires, when things didn’t go his way, he took matters into his own…
Judges 10 – There’s a phrase used describing a long journey or long period of time. Sometimes people say, “I’m in this for the long haul”. To me, there…
Judges 4 – Oh the cycle continues. The people were blessed and delivered, their hearts grew cold to God. They did evil in His sight; they endured oppression. God…
1 Thessalonians 4 – The alarm went off earlier than usual. It was a new day even though pitch black out. I was meeting a friend to…
1 John 1 – He had walked with Him. He was known as the ‘one Jesus loved’. A part of the inner circle of 3, John was…
Job 14 – I remember sitting at a conference in a large stadium. The speaker at one point said to imagine a long wire stretched from one end of…
Job 8 – Bildad, Jobs second friend now speaks. Talk about a windbag. Hes blunt, unsympathetic, and has made up his mind as to why Job suffers. With friends…
Job 5 – “I told you so…” Imagine sitting in the wreckage of some situation, where you are doing everything you can to keep your head up and a…
Job 2 – Adversity shows where our faith truly lies and destroys the superficial. For others, it strengthens faith and pushes people to dig their feet deep in their…
Joshua 22 – We all have those times when we jump to conclusions. We hear something not very favorable about people and we make up our mind based on…
Joshua 15 – As the allotment of the land for Judah takes place, Caleb makes another appearance. Be it ever so brief we read of his brother Othniel. After…
Joshua 2 – Joshua was a man of strong leadership. He had been trained for this moment by God and through Moses. He had accompanied him partway up the…
Matthew 19 – Let’s face it, childlike trust in God is hard. Many times circumstances bombard our thoughts to the point of giving up. Our bank account…
Matthew 13 – Jesus taught in parables and this chapter is chock of several tremendous truths. Truths that to the hearers either they ‘got’ or they didn’t. …
Proverbs 28 – Leadership is no easy thing. It’s ironic how many desire such a role but the responsibility of being a leader holds many tough decisions and acts…
Proverbs 27 – We need people in our lives who speak truth to us. We need others who are friends enough that they can talk freely about decisions we’ve…
Proverbs 21 – We make excuses all the time. We excuse decisions we made because we wanted something. We justify speaking our mind even though we may be wrong…
Proverbs 20 – Sometimes we have to pick our battles. So often within our relationships we have to weigh in if it is the right time to speak or…
Proverbs 19 – Sometimes we build a house of cards. We have plans we want to see accomplished. We have purposes we want to attain. We have goals we…
Proverbs 18 – “He who separates himself seeks his own desire; he quarrels against all sound wisdom.”– Proverbs 18:1 Hello kettle, this is the pot. Sometimes we say something…
Proverbs 17 – “The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests hearts.”– Proverbs 17:3 To purify gold and silver it takes an…
Proverbs 16 – It’s the silent growing cancer. Usually unrecognizable within, pride destroys relationships, trust, marriages, churches and families. It is the whisper that says, “I am right. I…
Proverbs 13 – Relationships have profound effects on who we are and what we become. Those who we bring into our inner circle of friendships often are like minded…
Proverbs 12 – Correction is never easy. Discipline is harder. Both go hand in hand when a person acts stupid. Wow, a bold statement right? But ironically the Bible…
Proverbs 11 – “When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, and the hope of strong men perishes. The righteous is delivered from trouble, but the wicked takes…
Proverbs 9 – 2 tables have been set. 2 invitations given. The choice is ours as to where we will pull our feet up under and feast upon what…
1 Peter 3 – We hate the word – submission. It really goes against everything within our human nature as we want to be independent, don’t want…
Philemon 1 – Paul uses diplomacy to advise on managing Onesimus, a runaway slave, promoting Christ-like forgiveness and redefining identity beyond secular roles…
Titus 2 – Life is hard. Relationships are difficult. This is particularly true when we feel attacked or under the gun of some situation…
2 Samuel 14 – Pride. It’s an insidious attribute that destroys inwardly and outwardly. We’re too proud to admit we failed. Too proud to say we’re genuinely…
2 Samuel 13 – Like father, like son – so the saying goes. In this case, like father, likes sons. The unraveling of David’s household is revealed…
2 Samuel 10 – Rejection is a terrible thing. In particular it’s a hard pill to swallow when you did the right thing, or tried to show…
2 Samuel 3 – Strong-willed by definition is being determined to do something regardless of what is advised against it. This mindset is really a double edged…
2 Samuel 2 – As reality settles in of Saul’s death, David is crowned King over Judah. The remaining 11 tribes do not acknowledge this crown and…
1 Samuel 20 – Deep, genuine friendships are hard to come by. These rare relationships that stir a kindred spirit between 2 individuals seemingly rarely happen. One…
1 Samuel 18 – Relationships hold highs and lows for us. There are those that are such a gem and we treasure greatly. There are others which…
1 Samuel 15 – I will tell you, this is one of the saddest chapters. It truly brought pain to my heart on so many different levels….
1 Samuel 9 – Life is filled with so many common events. What would our perspective be if we looked at even the common occurrences of life…
1 Samuel 1 – The ache of sorrow finds its ways to the deepest parts of our hearts. When it comes, we feel it as we breathe…
Romans 12 – According to the Old Testament Law, a priest would sacrifice an animal for the sins of the people. It was cut into…
Romans 5 – We’re selfish. Decisions are made based on what benefits us, what we want to do. Seeing someone in need or crying out for help sometimes causes…
2 Kings 17 – It is a salacious list. Entitled, “Why Israel Fell” it records all that Israel participated in and why God removed His presence. Smack…
2 Kings 19 – The king of Assyria, Sennacherib invades and takes several cities of Judah captive. King Hezekiah had paid a ransom of silver and gold…
2 Kings 5 – Aram had been a neighbor to Israel for centuries but rarely was on friendly terms. Under David’s rule they payed tribute to Israel…
1 Kings 14 – It’s the tale of 2 kings who flagrantly walked away from God and His commands. Consider how as the nation was already split…
1 Kings 7 – It took 7 years for Solomon to build the temple. He spent 13 years building his own house. His home had cedars from…
Genesis 27 – It’s a house of deception. In his old age, Isaac decides it’s time to give his blessing to his eldest son, Esau. Mind you, in the…
James 4 – “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain…
James 3 – “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” What a load of bunk. Since when has this ever been true?…
John 9 – He had never seen the sunrise, witnessed a smile; never in his life had he been able to see the flowers of which he smelled…
John 5 – For 38 years the man wanted to be healed. He had joined many others who gathered around a pool of water in Bethesda day…
John 3 – I love, love, love this chapter. It is completely packed with unreal truths and conversations. We’re first introduced to Nicodemus…
Esther 9 – The day arrived. The irreversible edict Haman connived and duped the king to sign had come. The edict King Xerxes approved…
Esther 5 – “The arrogance of your heart has deceived you…” –Obadiah 3:3 Prayer and fasting led Esther to act. It was probably one of…
Esther 4 – Sometimes we are called to make hard decisions. Sometimes we are compelled to speak truth or confront where loss…
Nehemiah 8 – With Ezra by his side, the people gathered as one and listened to the Word of God being read. It was the first in many…
Hebrews 10 – Persevere in the life Christ has called you. Do not give up hope. Do not get lost in your struggle with sin. Do not become…
Malachi 1 – Malachi is the last of the prophets in the Old Testament. In fact, when his voice ceased, over 400 years passed before God spoke…
Micah 7 – “My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more…
Micah 6 – Standing in a courtroom are the people of Israel. God the Judge stands behind the desk. “Plead your case…” he opens up…
Jonah 4 – Pity Parties – we’ve all thrown them. We feel sorry for ourselves, we become angry over something; things didn’t go our way…
Amos 2 – Chapters 1 and 2 proclaim God’s judgment proclaimed against the enemies of Israel. As the hearers of these prophecies, the people probably rejoiced that God was…
Daniel 6 – Daniel was a man of consistency. Here was a man who was in exile who never wavered in his faith or trust. The seasons changed continually…
2 Corinthians 7 – 2 words. 2 words that mean nothing unless they are followed by action. “I’m sorry” all too often slips from our lips when…
2 Corinthians 5 – “For the love of Christ controls us.” – 2 Corinthians 5:14 Everything Paul did, all he endured, the relationships he sought and maintained,…
2 Corinthians 1 – Between the first letter Paul wrote to the church in Corinth and this one much had happened. His first letter gave advice in…
1 Corinthians 8 – “But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” – 1 Corinthians 8:9 Knowledge…
1 Corinthians 2 – When we think of Paul consider the fact he was a brilliant scholar and teacher. He had been trained in the Scriptures, learned…
Psalm 140 – Psalm 140 – “The ‘wicked’ may arrogantly desire, plan, and execute; but the Master of the universe cannot tolerate anarchy for long. To this end the plea changes into…
Psalm 95 – Crusty bread. Nothing can restore a piece or loaf of bread back to its freshness. It seems the longer it’s exposed to the elements, the harder…
Psalm 88 – Darkness presses in. The pit of which we have fallen drives our sight above to see a flicker of light. So far away, we cannot even…
Psalm 60 – The sting of defeat cripples us physically, emotionally, mentally. Sometimes it has the power to harm us spiritually as well. When…
Psalm 59 – “O my Strength, I watch for You. You, O God, are my fortress, my loving God. God will go before me…” Psalm 59:9-10b NIV…
Psalm 49 – I remember the story well. A pastor I used to serve under told of an incident at his previous church where a member was a beyond…
Psalm 46 – There is no stopping our God. None. Although foe has come against, darkness circles the planet in hopes of annihilating God’s…
Psalm 35 – “There is nothing that can make you strong to labor for God, bold to fight against your enemies, and mighty to resist your temptations, like a…
Psalm 28 – There is a subtle difference between Psalm 28 and many of the others written. Although it speaks much the same of God’s deliverance of a certain…
Psalm 15 – In an entrance liturgy to the temple, Psalm 15 poses a question, gives a response and is followed by a promise. The faith of the Israelite’s…
Psalm 3 – We’ve all been there. Everything imaginable could and did go wrong. To some degree we’re living in the consequence of our own choice. This is something…