In Mathew's gospel, chapter 17, vss 1-13, we find recorded a "mountain-top experience" of Jesus: the "mount of transfiguration". This is where Moses and Elijah appear before, and encourage, Jesus as He faces the final steps of His journey toward the cross. Matthew records that Jesus' "face shone like the sun, and his clothes became … Continue reading Satan Waits at the Bottom of Every Mountain
Grace
Mere Suffering
Satan would have us view our suffering as "merely suffering." Stifling. Suffocating. Debilitating. But, what if there is more to our suffering than meets the eye? Can God transform our suffering into something meaningful? Something redemptive? I believe He can. Read on... From Eric Metaxas's book, "Miracles": "If our suffering has a purpose, it is … Continue reading Mere Suffering
Finding God in the Storm (Guest Post)
The following is a brilliant post by my friends, Jim & Michelle Hardwicke. Enjoy... What is a storm? It is a frightening tumultuous swirl of circumstances. It's a situation where everything we hold dear is threatened. It's something that dramatically and unexpectedly interrupts our calm routine. And a storm is a situation that demands that … Continue reading Finding God in the Storm (Guest Post)
In the Absolute Worst of Circumstances…He Is There
The title of this blog is clear throughout Scripture. From Moses to Joshua to Gideon to Esther to David, and on and on the list goes... Allow me to cite just one example: Paul. The man who would end up authoring most of our New Testament. By the time we reach Acts 27, Paul has … Continue reading In the Absolute Worst of Circumstances…He Is There
Where is Christ in the Old Testament? (Everywhere)
"When (Apollos) arrived [in Corinth], he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the [Old Testament] Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus." (Acts 18:27-28) Where does Jesus show up in our Bible? The Gospels? Nope. How about Genesis 1... Paul wrote in Colossians … Continue reading Where is Christ in the Old Testament? (Everywhere)
The Power of Praising God
"About midnight (after having been illegally beaten and imprisoned), Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose." … Continue reading The Power of Praising God
When God Asks Us to Do Something Terrifying
I played football at Abilene High School. One time God clearly impressed upon me the following instruction: "I want you to talk to Steve about Me." Steve was the biggest, baddest, strongest guy on the team. He hit me so hard one time on the football field I woke up in a parallel universe. He … Continue reading When God Asks Us to Do Something Terrifying
Bottom Feeders
The night before he was crucified, Jesus, using the imagery of vineyards, told his disciples, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-dresser. 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." (John 15:1-2) … Continue reading Bottom Feeders
The Lord’s Prayer (It’s not the one you’re thinking of…)
The "Our Father, which art in heaven,..." prayer was certainly said by Jesus, but as a "model prayer" for the eager-to-learn-how-to-pray disciples. However, the disciple, John, records for us a wonderful gift. For his entire 17th chapter comprises an actual prayer Jesus prayed as he was readying himself for his crucifixion: "Father," Jesus prayed, "the … Continue reading The Lord’s Prayer (It’s not the one you’re thinking of…)
Lean On Me
Only hours remained until Jesus would endure a level of stress so severe he sweat blood, be forced to endure an illegal kangaroo-court, falsely accused (and convicted) of crimes he did not commit, beaten within an inch of his life, executed by crucifixion, taking upon Himself the sins of the entire world, thereby incurring the … Continue reading Lean On Me