“So those who are believers in Christ Jesus can no longer be condemned” (Romans 8:1 God’s Word).

I heard a praise chorus as I drove home last night from work that repeated this verse over and over. While that kind of music does not rate in my top five of preferred styles, a thought crossed my mind. Read more…

If you tried to repay me for a gift I gave to you, that would end up as a silly thing for you to do or an offense to me. Likewise, if I gave you a gift and you threw it against the wall and defiantly exclaimed that you didn’t want it and had no intention of using or keeping it my heart would break. Read more…

“Do not be preoccupied with evildoers.
Do not envy those who do wicked things.

Trust the Lord, and do good things.
Live in the land, and practice being faithful.

Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him.
Do not be preoccupied with {an evildoer} who succeeds in his way
when he carries out his schemes.
Let go of anger, and leave rage behind.
Do not be preoccupied.
It only leads to evil”  (Psalm 37:1, 3, 7-8 God’s Word)

“Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable” (Philippians 4:6-8 God’s Word)

“We can reject the opportunity to be used of God, or we can seize opportunities to impact others as a testimony to Him…find a way to use your uncomfortable situation to point others to Him” (“Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well”, Billy Graham, 2011, pages 38, 40). Read more…

If you work and live for Jesus opposition will likely arise. Indeed, my counsel to the faithful I have met whose mission for God ended with religion’s brakes or agents of the devil’s shattering blows is simply that only when your faithfulness reaps a harvest does a target appear on your back. When a successful mission gets ripped away from you the message for you to hold close reads, “You had it right”.

If life throws a vicious curve at you, and temptation pulls hard at you to give up, plan revenge or live angry, take a lesson from Joseph. Read more…