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It was just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father.  Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love.  John 13:1  NIV   As I write this, it is Good Friday.  This is the day Jesus became sin (2 Corinthians 5:21).  This is the day God’s full plan was put into action – at the great cost to Himself and His Son.  It was the day where He showed the ones He chose, as wel

He leads me beside quiet waters.  Psalm 23:2  NIV   In this Psalm, our Shepherd leads, guides, is with us, prepares a table for us, is before our enemies, and is following behind us.  Notice all the places God and His Son are.  We are surrounded.  We need God to be in front leading us like He did with the Israelites in the desert.  Just as He did with Gideon, David, Paul, and Silas.  We need Him behind us because we need the coverage, the assurance we are not left without pro

It is better to take refuge in the LORD that to trust in people.  It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.  Psalm 118:8-9 NLT   No matter how much I desire to trust in people, I am reminded that it can be a slippery slope.  Putting all my trust in people creates an expectation that cannot easily be met.   I am not saying this with a broad brush, as the vast majority of my family and friends are completely for me and are in my corner, but when my expec

I am so thankful for God's Word! And for the instructions for practical Christian living we find within it's pages. Because of Jesus.

Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this?  I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”  Luke 1:18  N IV   Oh the doubters.  The questioners.  The I-will-not-believe-it-until-I-see-it crowd.   We question everything.  We doubt most.  We don’t give the benefit of ‘the doubt’ to others – meaning we typically think the worst.   We question God.  We make excuses.  We hear but do not respond, let alone act.  We think He is not talking to us, or the words are t

I am drawing from the archives with this post with a DEVOTIONAL written for a magazine on June 29, 2022. The only thing that has changed is my feet are healed. Enjoy, and to God be the glory.   LEADING WITH LOVE   Since God chose you to be holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.           Colossians 3:12   Empathy.  Sympathy.  Compassion.  Love.  Mercy.    Are they the same?   Lately God has been

With Valentine's Day this month, many of us are thinking about love. And the Father, our heavenly Father, has great love for us. Here's just a quick look at that love described to us in Jeremiah. Because of Jesus.

Who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.  1 Timothy 6:17 (NLT)   The anticipation of a gift is pure delight - I think both for the giver and the receiver.  The giver thought about, made or purchased, the gift.  The receiver opens and enjoys the gift.  It’s a win-win.    I have loved all the gifts my family and friends have given me.  Through the years I’ve received very meaningful gifts - handmade paintings, songs, jewelry, time, books and love.  I treasure each one

“For I Myself will help you,” declares the LORD.  Isaiah 41:14 NIV   How many times have you been lost because you missed the exit, turn-off, sign, or forgot to get directions in the first place?   Now, I know it is dated to think we use real paper maps anymore, but my GPS system has gotten me lost more than once, so because of that I like to have a general direction of where I am going, and I still like looking at a paper map now and then.   One such place was while we were

I will be their God.  Jeremiah 31:33 NIV   Do you know who you are?  Whom you belong to?  What you have currently and what your inheritance is?  Do you know your family – growing up one, current one and the extended one?   Do you feel seen and heard?  Known and sought after?   These can be some tough questions.  And they could require some careful, thought-out responses.  Or, they could be easy as our next breath.   Coming into this year – 2026 – I was in a tough spot.  Lots

Praise God for the wonderful blessing of His Son and it is because of Him, we celebrate.

“No one can come to the Father who sent Me draws Him.”   John 6:44  NIV   How many of you were sent by your dad to do something?  Clean your room?  Pick up the backyard?  Go to school?  Find your best friend and ask forgiveness for an infraction which broke up the tight bond between you two?   Dads just send their children places – whether we agree it’s a good thing or not.  And a happy child is the obedient child.   Jesus was an obedient Son –   Although He was a Son, He lea

Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. Isaiah 9:7 NIV Knowing God's kingdom will be an eternal kingdom, His Son will be an absolute monarch, and this kingdom will never be conquered - these truths are powerful because what we see now is polar opposite to the various kingdoms, governments, and monarchies in our present day.  We see land grabs, fighting, civil wars, death, power struggles, needless coups and more.  All for the sake of power and contr

He threw himself at Jesus’s feet and thanked Him – and he was a Samaritan.  Luke 17:16  NIV   Imagine being leprous.  Imagine the shame, the scars, the fears, the worry, the guilt.  The loneliness and sheer need for help.   Leprosy is a devastating disease where your skin and body are slowly shrinking and being made incapable to doing much.  It’s a skin disease that not only eats away at the skin but at the muscle and bones as they become weakened by the disease.  It is caus

As we enter into harvest time with the Autumn weather, many of us enjoyed gardening and getting our hands in the soil. Whether it's a flower garden, herbs or vegetables, or even fruit from an orchard or berry bushes, gardening is a fun way to connect with the parables and life in the Bible. This mini study is a continuation of Hosea 10:12 with some actions to be done by the reader. Because of Jesus.

I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings. Philippians 3:10 NIV Today marks the anniversary of God healing my feet. It was one year ago today when He told me He healed me. I have written about this affliction multiple times on this blog - it's what this blog space is for, actually. And I wrote about the healing, which you can read HERE . So much has changed, and so much has stayed the same. One thing I know -

He rescues and He saves; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth.  He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.  Daniel 6:27  NIV   Have you ever been ‘fed to the wolves’ or thrown into a ‘den of lions?’  Maybe not literally, but definitely figuratively.   A meeting where it turned south and you suddenly became the meal of lies, betrayal and accusations?  Or, with a friendship that was going along good until it wasn’t?  Or staring down an MRI machi

I came across this verse and just had to dissect it. Here is the first installment (I think there will be three total). Because of Jesus.

Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.  Luke 18:1 NIV   What does one do with...

You are lukewarm.  Revelation 3:16  NIV   The coffee lingering in your cup, far too long.  The water in your glass sitting for hours,...