Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Matthew 6:25-27 - Trusting God

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?”


Jesus addresses one of our most common struggles: worry. His words remind us that God, the Creator of the universe, is also the sustainer of our lives. But — it is more than just a command to stop worrying — it is an invitation to trust. Worrying is not only unproductive, it is also unnecessary, and yet, how often do we let it rob us of our joy and peace?

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Matthew 6:24 - Who Do You Serve?

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”


In Matthew 6:24, Jesus lays out a very powerful truth. At its core, this verse challenges us to examine our priorities, but its relevance today is even sharper when we consider the messages we often hear from modern “Christian leaders”. Many promote what’s known as the “social gospel” or “prosperity gospel,” suggesting that faith in Jesus guarantees worldly success, happiness, and financial prosperity. It’s tempting to believe that following God will always lead to a life of comfort and abundance, but that’s not the message Jesus taught.

Sunday, September 1, 2024

John 15:15 - Acquaintance or Friend?

John 15:15
"No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you."

If you’ve spent any time around Christians, you’ve probably heard them talk about their relationship with Jesus. It got me thinking: What’s the difference between just knowing about Him and really being close friends with Him?

Monday, August 26, 2024

Matthew 5:13 - How Salty Are You?

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?

It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.


When Jesus declared, "You are the salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13), He wasn't asking us to go out into the world like Emeril Lagasse, shouting “Bam!” and adding flavor to everything—He was laying down a profound and meaningful guideline for how we’re meant to live as His followers.


So, what does it really mean to be the “salt of the earth,” and why does it matter so much?

Monday, August 19, 2024

Matthew 4:4 - Food for the Soul

Matthew 4:4

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”


I love to eat - admittedly, too much at times. You can keep your steak and potatoes, to me, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of a freshly baked casserole, bubbling with cheese and filled with layers of savory goodness. Whether it’s a hearty lasagna, hot “Chicken Mexicana”, or even a classic green bean casserole, food has a way of bringing joy, warmth, and satisfaction to our lives. But as much as I cherish these earthly delights, I know that food, and all things of this world, pale in comparison to the things of Heaven. It’s essential to keep this perspective in mind, especially when we consider the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 4:4.

Saturday, August 10, 2024

Galatians 2:20 - Have You Had a Close Call?

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Have you ever had a “close call”? Maybe you just missed being hit by a car that didn’t see you while changing lanes. Or perhaps you were hit—but came through the experience with only a few bumps and bruises—yet when you look at your car, you wonder how you weren’t killed!

If you’ve lived a normal life, you can probably look back and recall a lot of close calls—some closer than others.

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Romans 8:28 - God's Fingerprints

Romans 8:28

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."


Certain truths can astound me even when I intellectually understand them. Things like gravity — the invisible force that anchors us to the Earth and directs planetary motion. Or flight — where enormous metal planes defy gravity with nothing but air. And magnetism, too, with its invisible forces pulling and pushing objects, all seem a bit like magic, but are real facts of life.

Among these everyday marvels, one that truly intrigues me is the fingerprint. Each person's fingerprints are unique, not even identical twins share the same patterns. The idea that no two individuals, past or future, will ever have the same fingerprints is astonishing. Though they are formed in our 10th week in the womb, our fingerprints serve as a personal identifier for the rest of our lives – and beyond. This remarkable detail in our design underscores the handiwork of our Creator.

Sunday, July 21, 2024

Colossians 3:9-10 - Who Are You?

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

When you interact with other people, who are you? How would you describe yourself?

Are you the Person of Mystery? The person who never lets anyone see the "real you," instead creating a façade that only shows others what you want them to see – not your true self inside?


Are you the Chameleon? Are you like the color-changing lizard that matches its surroundings, adapting to people, shifting your personality based on who you are with at the moment?


Are you the "What You See Is What You Get" person? Do you say, "I am who I am and I won’t change," and equate honesty with being coarse and abrasive, refusing to adjust your behavior to avoid “hypocrisy”?

Monday, July 15, 2024

Hebrews 11:1 - Faith and Doubt

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

Faith and doubt—two forces we often struggle with—seem like polar opposites, but have you ever thought of them as companions? The tension between faith and doubt is a natural part of our Christian walk.

Faith, by its nature, requires a leap into the unknown. 

Faith asks us to believe in something we can't tangibly prove or understand, which often leaves us teetering on the edge of doubt.

Wednesday, July 3, 2024

1 John 4:8 - Why Does God Love Us?

1 John 4:8

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."


When you think about mankind, and think about how we are basically selfish, uncooperative, and disrespectful, you have to ask yourself the question, “Why does God love man?” This age-old question can be answered in several ways, but ultimately, it boils down to the nature of God Himself.


God’s love for mankind is a reflection of His own nature. The Apostle John told us in 1 John 4:8 that God is love. Everything He does is motivated by love. Think about that. It isn't because we have earned His love, or that we deserve His love. He loves us because He is love.