Ephesians 3:1-3 Obedience landed him in jail

God had a plan and a mission for Paul’s life. Paul followed it, and it landed him in jail. He’s not whining, just stating facts. And he still went forward with God’s mission for him. Can we do the same?   Ephesians 3:1-3 (New Living Translation) When I think of all this, I, Paul, a… Read More

Daily decision

We all get dressed, and some of us accessorize. We all gather whatever it is we will need to get us through the day. But do we remember the most important thing–do we start our days with praise? Looking in the closet or the open dresser drawer can become a time to remind ourselves to… Read More

Ephesians 2:4-10 We neither make nor save ourselves

There’s no way I can pull myself up by my boot straps to be good enough for God–which is the perfection in which He created us and placed it. We chose and daily choose against him–you’d think he’d be so sick of it and us that He’d throw us far away so we wouldn’t hurt… Read More

Ephesians 2:1-5 Inhale unbelief–Exhale disobedience

What am I filling my mind with? What do I take in through my five senses? What do I dwell on? What do I spend my time and money on? That’s what will come out. Inhale. Exhale.   Ephesians 2:1-5 (New Living Translation) Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.… Read More

What kind of soil are you?

In their book Real Relationships: From Bad to Better and Good to Great, Lee and Leslie Parrott make the argument that a solid sense of who you are is the foundation, the critical element needed to form true and lasting relationships: “If you try to find intimacy with another person before achieving a sense of identity… Read More

Ephesians 1:19-23 No power is exempt from His rule

God’s word: FIRST in creation CONTINUAL through the Bible and the Holy Spirit FINAL when He will come and judge the living and the dead Ephesians 1:19-23 (New Living Translation) I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that… Read More

Stagnant or flowing water?

If you are familiar with the geography of Israel, you know that the Sea of Galilee in the north flows south by way of the Jordan River and empties into the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea goes nowhere, it has no outlet—that’s why it is called the Dead Sea. We can be like this, too.… Read More