God, investigate my life;    get all the facts firsthand.I’m an open book to you;    even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking.You know when I leave and when I get back;    I’m never out of your sight.You know everything I’m going to say    before I start the first sentence.I look behind me and you’re there,    then up ahead and you’re there, too—    your reassuring presence, coming and going.This is too much, too wonderful—    I can’t take it all in!- Psalm 139: 1-6 (MSG) Familiarity is a wonderful thing among family and friends. We’ve often heard the comment, “Oh, you know me,” spoken with the expectation that whatever has just occured is not a surprise. Isn’t it…

“Arise, shine, for your light has come,    and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”- Isaiah 60:1 Just looking at the cute little face makes my heart smile. It was 23 years ago today that Brock went to be with Jesus. Sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday. I am so grateful for the words that God gave me that morning in the form of a song sung by little children that Brock had on a recorded tape. They were singing, “Arise shine for your light has come and glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” I could just picture the angels singing as Brock closed his eyes in this life and in…

All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. – 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 (MSG) Over the last few months I’ve had the privilege of spending time with several women in a Grief Share group. Many are widows who have become friends as they have loved and encouraged each other. They have shared from…

 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:23 Have you ever been pulled over for speeding and then let off with a warning? What a relief not to have to pay a fine for something you knew you were guilty of. The bible tells us that we all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3: 23) It goes on to tell us that the penalty for sin is death, eternal separation from God, but what does that mean? What would eternal separation look like? Imagine being eternally separated from everything that describes…

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” – John 21:15 In this scene above, Jesus led Peter through an experience that would remove the cloud of his denial. Peter had disowned Jesus three times. Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. When Peter answered yes, Jesus told him to feed His sheep. It is one thing to say you love Jesus, but the real test is your willingness to serve Him. Peter had repented, and here Jesus was asking him to…

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. – Mark 14:38 “You probably face many problems that wear you down. You deal with irritating people whom you must love and serve; you face burdens of unfinished tasks or lack of obvious results; you cope with helpers who let you down or fail to comprehend. Remember that in times of great stress, you are vulnerable to temptation, even if you are a willing spirit.” When I read those notes in my study bible I felt as though someone had a front row seat into my life. It perfectly described how…

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8 I recently read a daily devotional by Christine Caine that was a very visual reminder of the love God has for us. She shared about an illustration she saw in a church service that profoundly affected her. The speaker held up a brand-new, crisp $100 bill and asked the congregation if anyone wanted it. Of course everyone did. The speaker than scrunched up the bill and jumped on it. He held it up again and asked who wanted it. Again, everyone did. Then he told the congregation that…

Then he said, “Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God’s good news to one and all.” – Mark 16:15 MSG At first the Great Commission may seem like a huge task but the truth is, it’s an incredible privilege. People hesitate obeying God’s command because they feel that they are not good with words or they don’t know the bible well enough. While both are helpful, the best way to share the Good News is to tell of the love of God that you have experienced. God has already given you the words to share – your redemption story. You know all the details. You’ve…

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20 What a joy it was to celebrate Easter with a church filled with believers and to know that His resurrection was being celeberated worldwide. Praise God! As I read the events of Resurrection Sunday from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John it brought such excitement about…