Thinking With God - Godliness is Worth Training For We have to train for anything we want to get good at. Whether it’s sports, playing a musical instrument, or physical fitness. Yet, how often do we think about training for godliness? Godliness is living like Jesus. This takes the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit. It also takes practice. Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and...
almost 2 years ago • 1 min read
Thinking With God - Hard Work is Worthless Without Jesus It’s great to work hard and be successful. Accomplishments can make us feel good for a while. Yet, Solomon felt empty when his purpose was based on his accomplishments alone. When I considered all that I had accomplished and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun. - Ecclesiastes 2:11 Everything we do in life is worthless outside of knowing...
almost 2 years ago • 1 min read
Thinking With God - Eliminate Fear Fear can be disabling. It can unknowingly sabotage our lives. Fear of danger, fear of humiliation, fear of letting others down, and overall- fear of failure. God tells His people not to fear. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10 Faith eliminates fear. Not just any faith. Faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He is God. He is...
almost 2 years ago • 1 min read
Thinking With God - Today is a Gift I was visiting with a sweet lady yesterday who is in her 80’s. She almost died recently. She’s doing well now and told me she wakes up every day happier than when she was a little kid. She sees each day as a gift. The Psalmist felt the same way. This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. - Psalm 118:24 Some days are up, and some are down. They all are a gift from God. It’s more difficult to remember this on the down days, but...
almost 2 years ago • 1 min read
Thinking With God - The Purpose of Marriage Bernadette and I are celebrating our 20-year anniversary today! We have been so blessed, not because of us but because of Jesus. Paul tells us the secret to marriage here: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. - Ephesians 5:31-32 The secret is that marriage is a picture of the Gospel, the...
almost 2 years ago • 1 min read
Thinking With God - Does God Care Who You Vote For? Today is voting day. In the United States, we are blessed to have a voice. It’s our responsibility to vote for those who most align with our views and values. We will be under their leadership. Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. - Romans 13:1 It’s our responsibility to vote for those who most honor God. At the same time, God is...
almost 2 years ago • 1 min read
Thinking With God - Forgiveness is Freeing It’s hard to forgive others sometimes. We’ve all been hurt by someone. Reality is, we’ve all been guilty of hurting someone else also. Forgiveness is freeing. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. - Matthew 6:14-15 Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins. He rose from the dead and calls us to...
almost 2 years ago • 1 min read
Thinking With God - God’s Definition of Success How do you define success? If our definition is anything short of, “having a right relationship with Jesus Christ”, then we’re missing the mark. Jesus says all is vanity outside of knowing Him. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? - Matthew 16:26a Our highest priority in life is eternal salvation. Jesus says most people will not find it (Matthew 7:13-14). It’s good to do well in this world and be...
almost 2 years ago • 1 min read
Thinking With God - No Excuse for Foul Language We all say things we shouldn’t. Especially, when we are charged emotionally. Our words however, show our heart (Matthew 12:34). And it’s never OK to use our words to curse others. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. - Ephesians 4:29 God cares about what we say. God commands us to not use vulgar language. He commands us to not use His...
almost 2 years ago • 1 min read