“Sirs, what do I have to do to be saved, to really live?” They said, “Put your entire trust in the Master Jesus. Then you’ll live as you were meant to live—and everyone in your house included!” (‭Acts‬ ‭16:30) Simplicity is as simplicity does. So … my bottom line is: what makes trusting so difficult? Is it because we asked for something and didn’t get it? Or is it because we wanted to ask but just couldn’t believe that he would even bother …? Maybe it’s because we

As Jesus left the house, he was followed by two blind men crying out, “Mercy, Son of David! Mercy on us!” When Jesus got home, the blind men went in with him. Jesus said to them, “Do you really believe I can do this?” They said, “Why, yes, Master!” He touched their eyes and said, “Become what you believe.” It happened. They saw… (Matt 9:27) Maybe I’m rather unique in that my ‘logical’ side always seems to want to have an input in my prayers? Either it sides with the p

(A man brings his son to Jesus) “… If you can do anything, do it. Have a heart and help us!” Jesus said, “If? There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen.” No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, “Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!” (Mark‬ ‭9:19) I was looking at a plant on our kitchen windowsill when this thought grew in my heart. You see, (to me) last week the plant was dead. But my wife did whatever it is gardeners do and

Hallelujah! You who serve GOD, praise GOD! Just to speak his name is praise! Just to remember GOD is a blessing— now and tomorrow and always. From east to west, from dawn to dusk, keep lifting all your praises to GOD! GOD is higher than anything and anyone, outshining everything you can see in the skies. Who can compare with GOD, our God, so majestically enthroned, Surveying his magnificent heavens and earth? He picks up the poor from out of the dirt, rescues the wretc

What a stack of blessing you have piled up for those who worship you, Ready and waiting for all who run to you to escape an unkind world. You hide them safely away from the opposition. As you slam the door on those oily, mocking faces, you silence the poisonous gossip. Blessed GOD! His love is the wonder of the world. Trapped by a siege, I panicked. “Out of sight, out of mind,” I said. But you heard me say it, you heard and listened. Love GOD, all you saints; GOD t

(Jesus speaking) “The servant given one thousand said, ‘Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.’ “The master was furious. ‘That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less t

“As Jesus left the house, he was followed by two blind men crying out, “Mercy, Son of David! Mercy on us!” When Jesus got home, the blind men went in with him. Jesus said to them, “Do you really believe I can do this?” They said, “Why, yes, Master!” He touched their eyes and said, “Become what you believe.” It happened. They saw. (Mat 9:27) I can flap around and quote scriptures until my mouth gets sore, but the bottom line is always the same. How do I face up to what H

Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” (John‬ ‭16:31) I’ve been there, wanting to ‘feel’ power before I believed. I wanted hot hands

Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is seen for who he is, and God seen for who he is in him. The moment God is seen in him, God’s glory will be on display. In glorifying him, he himself is glorified—glory all around!” (John‬ ‭13:31) I’m looking at a tree just now and thinking: those leaves aren’t asking the trunk for ‘things!’ They’re just enjoying being ‘connected‘ and receiving all the goodness that naturally flows into them from the roots. Holy Spirit, I’m starting to see tha

Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm‬ ‭139:23) I heard someone say yesterday that this was one of the most dangerous prayers he’d ever heard …! It must have impacted me because I just woke up with this running clear in my head: “When you pray I want you to DARE to believe …!” X #grace #dare #lovehelps #belief #dangerousprayers #prayers #

…It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. (‭Heb‬ ‭11‬:‭6). “If you can do anything, do it. Have a heart and help us!” Jesus said, “If? There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen.” No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, “Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!” (‭Mark‬ ‭9‬:‭21). Papà says:

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honour God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don’t, dear friend, rese

Isaiah asked what we all ask at one time or another: “Does anyone care, God? Is anyone listening and believing a word of it?”  The point is: Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ’s Word is preached, there’s nothing to listen to.  Romans 10:7 (The Message) Our idea of Faith has a good deal to do with the harmful way faith is often spoken of.  Faith is looked upon as an attitude of mind whereby we assent to a testimony on the authority of the one who testifies

Living a life of faith means never knowing where you are being led. But it does mean loving and knowing the One who is leading. It is literally a life of faith, not of understanding and reason—a life of knowing Him who calls us to go. Faith is rooted in the knowledge of a Person, and one of the biggest traps we fall into is the belief that if we have faith, God will surely lead us to success in the world! The final stage in the life of faith is the attainment of character, an