“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in…
It is January 21, 2021. No, these numbers do not have a mystical or prophetic meaning. It is the day that the Lord has made, and we are to rejoice in it regardless of the current state of affairs. It is the day after the forty-sixth President of the United States was sworn into office. Though I am personally concerned about the future of our nation morally, I am even more concerned about the eternal state of individuals. This concern…
That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10,11 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though…
I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me, because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:7-8 ESV Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV The middle of the night has been an unexpected friend as of late. Lying awake…
Have you ever had thoughts that you knew if said out loud could breed contention? It is probably safe to say that there is quite a bit you and I keep to ourselves. Maybe we do it out of intimidation or fear, or maybe we do it to spare someone’s feelings. Maybe we refrain from asking tough questions because of the aftershock it could bring. But there comes a time when the tough things need to be said, and tough…
And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 2 Peter 1:19 ESV I was a false prophet. It’s true. The realization of that is grieving and freeing at the same time because the truth of His Word and the mercy and grace of God have set me free. I…
Chatter abounded Friday night while scrolling through my social media feed. It was the eve of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, and many Christians were sharing the news of the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Many saw this as a prophetic sign with her passing falling on this Jewish feast, an event of great significance with the hopes of an appointed nominee who will help to overturn Roe v Wade. Others mourned her loss, either in tribute to her…
The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. John 10:3-5 ESV My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 ESV There…
Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:3-4 ESV If you and I were truly honest, we would be completely content going through this life having never suffered any sort of hardship. No one wants to face difficult times, times that test our…
What is the foundation of intimacy with God? As someone who treasures a personal relationship with God, it can be easy to fall into the trap of basing relationship upon emotions, feelings and experiences while diminishing the unadulterated Word of God and the atonement for our sins only found through Jesus Christ. The more you and I get to know the Lord through His Word, the written Word of God, the more we understand that our personal relationship with the…