What Is A Sacrifice of Righteousness?

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in the Lord Psalm 4:5 There are times when a Bible verse grabs hold of you and won’t let go. You just can’t read past it, even if you’ve done so many times before. That’s the Holy Spirit, …

The Mystery of Being Seated With Christ

There is no shortage of mysteries to ponder in God’s Word! Heavenly things and invisible things are always mysterious to earthlings staring at a toaster. Mysteries about what God holds out to us must be taken in faith until we understand them. Such a mystery …

The Aroma Of Love

The first time I fasted seven days was a challenge, and a surprise. A surprise because I didn’t know going in that after the first three days, that gnawing hunger stops coming in waves. The science says this phenomena happens because your body, seeing that …

The Father’s Testimony

If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true. There is another who testifies of Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true. John 5:31-32 (NASB) As I read these words in John’s gospel this morning, my …

Hebrews 4:12: Heart Surgery, Anyone?

Hebrews 4:12 says God’s Word is living and active. So what is it doing in all that living and activity, where you are concerned? Ponder with me the fuller passage from Hebrews 4:12-16. Then we’ll look closely at verse 12, from The Passion Translation: For …

How Jesus Shows Himself To You

Jesus promises to show himself to those who obey him as an act of love: Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them …

Psalm 4: A Lesson For Praying Through Conflict

I always appreciate learning more about how to pray, how to talk to God. Especially when troubled, or in trouble. As I often say, the Psalms are chock full of great examples, even conversations between God and His child. Psalm 4 is yet another pattern …

A Tabernacle for God: Built By The Willing Heart

Moses’ Tabernacle illustrates the inward dwelling place God desires for Himself in the heart of His child. God helps the willing heart to build it. …

Psalm 116: God Leans In To Hear Our Prayers

Because the Psalmist so often gives words to my own heart’s experience, I read the verses as if they were mine, to personalize them. Or as we like to say, “take them to heart.” The following is what that looks like for Psalm 116 — …

Psalm 32: A Dialogue With God

Life with the Spirit offers dialogues with God that nourish your spirit and soul. Through my first reading of the Bible in 1979, I was inspired to believe and listen for the voice of my new Lord. My journals are now salted with conversations with …

Resting Between His Shoulders

It’s 6 a.m., and I have settled into a chair near the wide open back door where I can feel the coastal breezes waft in, and hear the first bird songs of the morning. As usual, I have my creamy tea in hand. After greeting …

Psalm 84:2 – Longing for God

Okay, on to Verse 2 of Psalm 84! My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. Psalms 84:2 NASB At first glance a simple little verse, but ponder it …