Oriented by the Scriptures
3/28/2006

'But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.'
Then they all forsook Him and fled.
MARK 14:49b-50

'There are times when, in the darkest moments of your life, the only comfort left for you is a word from God.  Jesus faced the cruel injustice of a hostile world, but perhaps His deepest pain came when His closest friends deserted and betrayed Him.  What could possibly sustain Him at such a dark moment?  Jesus found His comfort in the Scriptures (Matt. 26:20-25, 31).  The Scriptures kept everything in perspective for the Savior, holding Him steadfast in the knowledge that everything He was experiencing was according to His Father's plan.  Jesus

Tested Yet Secure
3/29/2006

And the Lord said, 'Simon, Simon!  Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.'
LUKE 22:31-32

'Jesus dearly loved Peter.  Jesus spoke to him specifically, and said, ''Simon!  Simon!  Satan has made a request to sift all of you (plural) as wheat.  But I have prayed for you (singular), that your faith will not fail.   And when you (singular) have returned to Me, strengthen your brothers.'' Even as Jesus faced His imminent arrest and crucifixion, He took time to strengthen Pet

The Risen Lord
4/3/2006

His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters.
REVELATION 1:14-15

'At times it is tempting to conclude: ''If only I could have walked with Jesus, as the twelve disciples did, it would be so much easier to live the Christian life!'' This thought reveals that we do not comprehend the greatness of the risen Christ we serve today. The Jesus of the Gospels is often portrayed as One who walked along the seashore, loving children and gently forgiving sinners. Yet the image of Jesus that we see at the close of the New Testament

Fresh Encounters with Christ
4/4/2006

That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.  And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
I JOHN 1:3-4

'John the apostle never ceased to marvel at the life changing relationship he enjoyed with his Lord.  It overwhelmed him to know that, at a particular time in history, the God of the universe chose to have fellowship with him, a simple fisherman.  John was so overjoyed that he earnestly wanted to share his joy with others so they, too, might experience the same joy.  A special fellowship or ''bon

Life's Seasons
2/02/2006

'To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven.'
ECCLESIASTES  3:1

'The beauty in the way God designed the four seasons is that, though each one is distinct, they all work together to bring life and growth. Spring is a period of freshness and new life. Summer sees growth and productivity. Autumn is a time for harvesting the rewards of past labors. Winter is the season of dormancy and closure. Each season has its own unique beauty and makes a significant contribution to life.
Just as God planned seasons in nature, He planned seasons in life as well. Life has its springtime, when we begin new things and look excitedly toward the future

Power, Not Fear
2/03/2006

'For God has not given us a spirit of fear,
but of power and of love and of a sound mind.'
'2 TIMOTHY 1:7

'The only fear that God encourages in a Christian's life is the fear of God (2 Cor. 5:10-1; Heb. 10:31). Fear of people does not come from God. The problem is that many Christians fear people more than they fear God. Their fear hinders them from pleasing God because they waste their efforts appeasing other people.

Timothy was a young man, timid by nature, and probably not strong phycsically (1Tim 5:23). He knew of Paul's frequent trials and persecutions. Paul reminded his young colleague that fear of others does not come from God.

Fear causes us to

Sin That Entangles Us
2/06/2006

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
HEBREWS 12:1 (NIV)

'Sin is our most persistent, determined, and pernicious enemy.  Sin seeks to rob us of every good thing God has designed for us.  Paul tells us that sin brings death (Rom. 7: 11). Yet it is very subtle.  Sin creeps into our lives when and where we least expect it.  It packages itself so attractively that we are lulled into thinking that it cannot really harm us (2 Cor

Be Anxious for Nothing
2/08/2006

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
PHILIPPIANS 4:6

'Don’t be anxious!  Paul said there is nothing that should cause a child of God to worry.  He was well aware of things that cause anxiety.  His nation was occupied by a foreign army and ruled by corrupt leaders.  He was writing from prison where he was being held as a result of false accusations.  He was separated from those he loved; his motives had be

Encounters with God
2/9/2006

'But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.'
ACTS 26:16

'God was working in your life long before you began working with Him.  The Lord knew you before time began, and He knew what He wanted to do with your life (Jer. 1:5; Ps. 139:13).  Before the apostle Paul's conversion experience on the road to Damascus, Jesus already knew Paul and had a specific assignment for him.  But Jesus only revealed this assignment after Paul's conversion (Acts 9:15).&