Monthly Archives: August 2013

In Pursuit Of God’s Heart

1 Samuel 13:13-14 (ESV)

And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”

Consider

Through the prophet Samuel, God called Saul’s successor—David—”a man after his own heart.” How could it be that David—a man of grievous sin and shattered relationships—found such honor in God’s eyes?

Continue reading >>

To Flourish Like A Palm Tree

Scripture

Psalm 92:12-15 (New Living Translation)

But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.

For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God.

Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. They will declare, “The Lord is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him!”

Consider

Living in California, I am happily familiar with palm trees. A favorite sight of mine is a stand of four palm trees I can see from a distance.

Continue reading >>

Free From Condemnation

Scripture

Romans 8:1-2 (New International Version)

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

Consider

Many times we find ourselves accusing and condemning others not because of what they did but because of something amiss inside of us.

Perhaps we notice an unattractive quality in the other person that we are ashamed to acknowledge in ourselves, and we are quick to criticize it.

Continue reading >>

How To Love Without Strings

“Love seeks one thing only: the good of the one loved.” —Thomas Merton

We don’t just want love; we need love. We were created to seek love as urgently as we seek food and oxygen. And sometimes we’ll do desperate things to get it.

Secular research explains our need to be loved as a primal instinct for self-preservation: Belonging to a group increases our chances of escaping hungry predators.

Continue reading >>

Do You Love Me?

Scripture
John 21:15-17 (New Living Translation)

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.”

Continue reading >>

Subscribe!

Want my free resource,  “Ten Do’s and Don’ts for Healthy Relationships,” plus my latest posts, delivered to your email inbox?