Wouldn’t this description of Philemon be a great one to have said about you? I know I would love to have this reputation among God’s family! To be loved and

It is very easy to try and build our security around money, isn’t it? But world catastrophes, economic collapses, embargoes, pandemics, and natural disasters can wipe out the basis of

Worries are many, and they all seem to trouble our hearts around bill time or tax time, don’t they? Jesus reminded us that life is more than food, clothes, or

Paul was in prison when he wrote those words. I want the peace and joy from Jesus that assures contentment in any situation! However, I find it hard to be

God’s Word is life-giving because it is desired and spoken by God, it is guided and inspired by God. Therefore it is living and powerful. Its power lies in its

Anything cool and refreshing sounds incredibly wonderful. If you’ve ever worked a harvest and gotten the dust, plant fragments, and sweat up under your shirt, you know how refreshing a

Jesus had just taught hard and difficult truths. The crowd was angry and left because the Lord told them they only followed him because he fed them. As the crowd

Many people gave up following Jesus when things became hard for them to understand, or he said things they did not think were possible. When he shattered their preconceived notions

We often seek to attract large crowds to our churches, crusades, and rallies. Jesus also ministered to large crowds. However, the Lord‘s most passionate teaching on discipleship occurs away from the

In Jeremiah’s overwhelming, hair-raising, and depressing prophecies, God repeatedly told his people he would destroy their things and places because of their obstinate, ever-rebellious, and hardened hearts. Yet, in the

Where do you go when you are exhausted and in need of rest? No bed, vacation, or retreat can give us the genuinely refreshing, spiritual rest we desperately need apart

As Christians, we are meant to live in God’s environment of forgiveness and grace. As we forgive others, the basis of that forgiveness is the incredible debt that God has

Repentance is turning around our hearts and behaviors to align with God’s will, but that’s where God’s refreshment comes into our lives. God will not only lovingly receive us when

Without the Holy Spirit living in us, we are not children of God, Without the Spirit, the cleansing power of Jesus’ sacrifice would not be fully implemented in us. Without

What is the motivation for our behavior as a Christian person? It’s so easy to fall into the trap of doing religious things so that we will look good to

God is merciful. Yes, we can probably recall some of those occasions when God was fed up and furious with the unrighteousness and rebellion of his people. But, we also

God is generous. He longs for his children to be like him in this grace of generosity. Our place on earth is not to be hoarders of blessings, forgiveness, wealth,

A friend in Christ who will faithfully serve others brings the beautiful gift of refreshment. Yet, as humans, we are tempted to be fickle friends, there for a bit while