…forgiveness is always possible!

The Decision of Bearing Our Cross
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

Just recently I fought a bought with esophageal cancer. The ordeal started December of 2006 with some swallowing problems. I was diagnosed July 31 and went through radiation and chemotherapy for five weeks in late August and through September. During my treatments I was in Stamping Ground, KY, the town near our church, when a woman from a neighboring congregation approached me to ask me how I was doing. A comment that she made toward the end of our conversation caught me dead in the heart. The comment? She said, "Now you know the cross the Lord wants you to bear." …

Religious Relationship
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

Christians know the Good News. We're all sinners (Romans 3:23), but while we were sinners, God sent His Son to die for us (Romans 5:8). If you place your trust in Him, your sin can be forgiven and you can be given the righteousness of His Son (2 Corinthians 5:21). Good news, indeed. But, as, we are often reminded, "It's not a religion; it's a relationship." Imagine, then, this Judge before Whom we stand clothed in sinner's rags. "How do you plead?" He asks. You can answer nothing but, "Guilty." But your trust is in Christ Who stands alongside.…

Include Christ in your daily life, Part 1
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31 There once was an elderly, righteous and holy man, who was determined to incorporate God into every aspect of his life. As he sat to eat, he breathed a prayer of gratitude. As he taught his children, he mentally begged for God’s guidance and for His blessing on the children. Even when he dressed in the morning, he tried to dress in such a way that God would be praised by his clothes. Over time, the old man built ritual into every aspect of his days so that his…

Justification XXV (3-30-11)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

“But Now You Say...” I remember hearing as a kid, “The biggest word in the English language is but!” I may have gotten the gist of the little pun then, but it makes a lot more since now that I have the experienced life as an adult. One of the most significant buts in any conversation was contained in Jesus' closing statement in John while speaking to the self-willed. He said, “But now you say, 'We see.' Therefore your sin remains.” (John 9.41). That is the opposite of justification; it is self-condemnation. “But now you say...”…

The Party Goes Wrong Big Time
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

Daniel Chapter 5 is the record of the last days of the Empire of Babylon. The message of Daniel Chapter 5 is similar to the message which God gave to David duPlessis - "God has no grandsons". It is as simple as that. Godliness cannot be inherited. It does not follow that if your……

Pass The Salt
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you]. (Colossians 4:6 Amp) My friend once told me a trick he used to help him avoid eating all the food on his plate lest he over eat. He would open the salt shaker and pour salt over the remaining food. I’m not so sure it was a good plan. It may have solved the issue at the moment but what about the discipline it takes to live a healthy lifestyle. The apostle Paul wrote…

Jesus the Passover Lamb
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

Centuries before Jesus was led to Golgotha, God provided a picture of that event, a promise to His chosen people in the form of the Passover. He said it was to be an ordinance forever. Even today, Jews have Passover Sedar and speak the Hagadah. All Christians should understand how completely Jesus fulfills the Passover. We remember Him when we take communion, but we need to understand that Jesus was promised for millenea before He was cut off, and that everything prophesied was fulfilled in Him. The lighting… The lighting of the candles... Only the woman of the…

The Permanent Solution
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

Over and over again the nations of the world of the bibical old testament obeyed, rebelled and disobeyed. They repented, and then disobeyed again - over and over again and again, and again! Nothing was ever resolved. It still hasn't. Why? Throughout the Old Testament, God raises up nations of that time. Then, when that nation's sins reach a certain point, He reveals through His prophets what He will do as punishment . Not only what He will do, but usually the reason why. Even a casusl read of the prophets, one sees a pattern. There are so many raisings up and putting down of nations…

Choosing Your Words Carefully
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

Have you ever been to a party, or other form of social gathering, drinking, talking, laughing, even dancing when all of a sudden, in a blink of an eye, the mood suddenly pauses, even swings to a deafening silence? The cause? Someone, somewhere, decided to say something inappropriate causing everyone to take notice, clearing the room, looking for the nearest exit to run toward. And they didn’t need to be spoken words. It could be something written, an expression you gave at just the wrong time, or a thumbs up or down you clicked in social media land. No matter what, and no…

Bible and Quote - April 27 - May 1
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

Though I walk in the midst of distress, You will revive me. Psalm 138:7a It is our want of watchfulness for the coming of God’s help that we are ever overwhelmed by the tasks, or difficulties, or sorrows of life. Alexander Maclaren, 1826-1910, British Baptist expository preacher The Lord will accomplish what concerns me. Psalm 138:8a In every area, allow God to define for you and show you the fullness of His provision. Henry Blackaby, Canadian evangelical pastor, author Psalm of David - O Lord, You have searched me and known me. Psalm 139:1 God…

Rest
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

“The LORD replied,” My Presence will go with you and I will give you rest.” Exodus 16:14 (NIV) As a senior citizen, I find myself sometimes taking morning naps. Sometimes this happens out of necessity; other times, it just happens. Rest is important to us as human beings. We fortify our physical bodies when we have restorative sleep. It actually helps our bodies to heal itself. When our children were very small, an afternoon nap gave them a chance to revitalize themselves and we were able to get somethings done…