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Do you feel that God is always with you? How can we know? Many have difficulties with sensing the presence of God. An old gospel melody perhaps gives us the answer, and says it all, "My God is real, for I can feel Him deep in my heart" Perhaps we haven't looked in the right place to see Him. Can you "feel" the Holy Spirit deep inside you? There seems to be a certain degree of spiritual maturity before one can agree with the melody quoted above. But, when it occurs, it can be very real. This is especially true during our prayers. When we sincerely pray,…  ( Click for more )

Why is so difficult sometimes for us to forgive a wrong someone has done to us? One of his best devices Satan has in his bag of tricks is to subtly infiltrate our mind's thought patterns. If not recognized as evil and resisted immediately the mind will project and activate evil. Even a passing evil thought can activate a sinful action unless resisted immediately. If it is a thought of resentment, unless it is not resisted can take root in our hearts and result in a hardened attitude of un forgiveness. Some believe that forgiveness is not required unless the other party asks us…  ( Click for more )

Are you confused when you hear these two words? If so, you are not alone.

It can be like the old arguement about which came first - the chicken or the egg. It involves the principle referred to in the old cliche that asked the question, "which had you rather have...justice or mercy?" The wise would do well not to ponder the answer too long...justice is much easier to administer than mercy. Part of the difficulty is that the two words sound so much alike, and look somewhat alike. Because of this, when one attempts to explain the differences, there can be much confusion.…  ( Click for more )

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…  ( Click for more )

If there could be only two words for our prayers, it would be "forgive me"...if we can think of nothing else to pray about (which in itself needs to be forgiven...), we can all genuinely ask Him to forgive us. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God This is because all have sinned, and have missed the mark of perfection that is in Jesus Christ only. There is a love song from some years ago, with lyrics that would be almost unbelievable in our world today. The chorus begins with: "Please! Please!! (emphasis twice) forgive me!...for all the wrong that…  ( Click for more )

It has been suggested by some that since technological advancement is escalating at such an increasing rate, something must done to enable commerce to verify the true identity of anyone using a credit card or other medium to facilitate commerce safely. Several suggestions include an eye implant, or a chip installed in the hand, or perhaps an implant in the head of a potential buyer or seller to facilitate verification of someone performing a transaction. Those who dishonestly attempt to circumvent the common verification methods seem to be becoming more and more complicated.…  ( Click for more )

Today we hear much about those servants of God who seem to conjure up fame and notoriety. Some become well known...almost a household word, due to their familiarity and popularity in our society. At times we hear certain ones referred to as "a good man". But being considered a "good man" in a society that treasures accolades of mass media personalities seems to be not enough. It is easy to call almost any man who is a father a father, but is otherwise unappreciated. But what about Joseph? This writer has often wondered about Joseph...your know...the one who…  ( Click for more )

There are times when living life in our world can be expressed only by one word: a burden. Especially this is so in the lives of Christians. Once one believes in Jesus Christ, and begins to change, it may seem that their life and the whole world has changed. Of course, the world is changing - faster that ever before, ever since God created it. The world - and it's inhabitants - have been changing ever since creation. But for the Christian, their personal world may seem to have become completely out of time with what is going on in the world, the lives of those around them, their…  ( Click for more )

Once called, God does not change His mind. If you are discouraged, feeling like perhaps God has changed His mind about your calling in Christ, God only changes His mind about how He deals with you based on your reaction to His guidance. But the callings of God are without revocation: "From the point of view of the Gospel (good news), they [the Jews, at present] are enemies [of God], which is for your advantage and benefit. But from the point of view of God’s choice (of election, of divine selection), they are still the beloved (dear to Him) for the sake of their forefathers.…  ( Click for more )

The answer is - no? And yet, there is a thrilling scripture that seems to say otherwise! If we belong to Jesus Christ when we die, does our life continue as an eternal life in heaven? Does the soul go on living after the body dies and in the grave? Or - does our soul "sleep" silently (similar to physical sleep} without consciousness until Jesus returns and raises our body from the grave then composed of "spirit" rather than flesh and bone, the period in between having been completely unknown to us until we are given a new life at the resurrection? Many opinions…  ( Click for more )

You can't....without crippling your mind, and destroying your sense of being. Without a past, we would have no frame of reference, and no context and sense of continuity by which to gage our growth in Christ. Paul's statement is struggled with by Christians constantly, and is difficult to accept as being possible for them. Although it can be agonizing and heartbreaking, we can learn to handle the past. But it has often been our "schoolmaster" to lead us to Christ, by revealing where we are now. The past is a benchmark for understanding the present. The past teaches us…  ( Click for more )

"Oh for the gift to geus, to see ourselves as others see us!" If we could just see ourselves as others do, we could be more able to see and influence them for their good and for ours in leading them to believe in Jesus Christ. If we are honest and unpretentious, they are inclined to be the same, confirming the righteous influence that our honesty has on them. It is a near impossibility for us to see ourselves as others see us. Most people respond to two things when they encounter someone who claims to be a Christian: what they see (usually first), and what they hear.…  ( Click for more )

The world is changing... Perhaps this is an understatement, or perhaps an overstatement depending on the ones who hear the statement. The world, where ever your world is, undoubtedly is undergoing change of some kind. And much of it not for the good. Change per se isn't necessarily bad or evil. It depends on the place and kind of change. Change is particularly noticeable in larger cities, but is occurring also in smaller towns. And even "country" areas. All of these changes are occurring quickly. Sometimes almost breathtaking in degree and speed. Few want to wait for…  ( Click for more )

There is one reality none can deny or escape if they live long enough. Getting older. When I was growing up, getting old never crossed my mind. In fact, it never occurred to me until many years had come and gone. The reality for me now is the gone. Last time we showed the futility of life when it is lived just to have a good time without God. Those who refuse to respond to God's offer of eternal life for those who will not surrender their lives, and live His way. They just as well "live it up". At the end they may ask, "is that all there is"? Yes - that is…  ( Click for more )

So much has be spoken and written about faith that it sometimes seems that there is nothing else than ca be said. However, actually, faith is an endless subject. It is so because faith - at least spiritually speaking - is an endless subject. It is so because faith is closely connected with God, Jesus Christ, and Christianity as a whole. In this way, it cannot be exhausted. Faith in the world around us is roughly thought of as simply believing that something - anything - is possible, that it can happen, and one exercises "faith" in anything believing something can happen.…  ( Click for more )

Do you often fail? For some, failure is more than just an occasional departure from the norm. The norm is seldom a consistant success. Failure seems to be the norm. We fail the expectancies of others around us; our friends, even our loved ones, neighbors, co-workers, fellow Christians. But why? Granted that seems to be so, but why is it so. Why is it the norm rather than an occasional mess up. God has not forgotten that we are flesh and blood, and not perfect. Why can't all of us always do the right thing, say the right words that would make up what God would have us say, and…  ( Click for more )

All that God does, thinks, and speaks is Love. Because He IS Love. God's other name is "LOVE". No one would ever know the word, the concept, or the reality if there were no God named Love. We would never know, hear of, or recognize love in any form or expression if there were no Originator of love. Love in every form, expression, word, or deed could not exist if there were no God Love. God did not create love. He didn't need to. He is and always has been love personified. All that is, came from His love. Love is not an abstract concept. It must originate from a source.…  ( Click for more )

Have you ever wondered what the greatest sin is - with the greatest consequences? Is it violation of one of the ten commandments? Deliberately breaking one the these commandments had great consequences for the Israelites. Could it be deliberately refusing to love? According to the Apostle Paul, refusing to love is a very serious sin. Love is an even greater quality than faith...and faith is VERY important quality of character. Not conduction our live in a spirit of trust and faith in God, and not living in an attitude of love is certainly very serious in God' sight. (1 Corinthians…  ( Click for more )

How can one rest under a burden, and a yoke? When one needs rest, having a "burden" AND a "yoke" seems like a contradiction of reality. At the very most it would seem very temporary. In addition, the longer the burden and yoke remains on you, the less restful it would be. Anything resembling a yoke would, at best, eventually become anything but restful. Yokes and burdens are for pack animals, cattle and such. Certainly a human would consider any kind of yoke and burden to be anything but restful. But Jesus promised rest - rest while ladened with a burden plus…  ( Click for more )

At times it seems so easy to become discouraged - just discouraged with living in general in our world around us. It's a feeling down deep. It can't be explained, even described in a way that someone else could understand what is meant. Then we realize that this is not God's world. But we must live in it. And by the grace of God, and Christ in us, we will survive. As a Christian leader once said, "I have read the book...AND WE WIN!". But as the world is now, the devil will discourage us any way he can. Down deep we know something just isn't right. If we are Christians,…  ( Click for more )

Undoubtedly we live in a time of peril and danger of many kinds and originations. If one watches television news at all, many of these conditions are evident. Some have said that signs of danger are simple the result of better reporting, and are the result of a shrinking world. Everything is done faster and reported faster, which is true. Awareness is also evidence of more rapid change in almost every arena of our reality. Changes are accelerating at in increasing rate. There is greater alarm. There is greater turmoil. This, most thinking people would agree. Important times and…  ( Click for more )

Ask almost any two people from the same church affiliation, or a different affiliation. and you will often hear condemnation or approval of the partaking of alcoholic beverages. Each side of the issue has convincing arguments for it's stance. Some say its OK in "moderation" (whatever that is...usually determined by personal opinion and practice). One person stated that he had never allowed alcohol of any kind to touch his lips (he lived to be 84 years old). There is another who drank alchohol, smoked every day of his life, and lived to be 100. To make a determination of…  ( Click for more )

Love is invisible. We can know what love is only by the fruit of love. This is the reason God is invisible. God is invisible except through that which He has made and what He does, by the results of His existence. Love must be manifested by the consequences of its existence. Words only do not manifest real love. It may be there, but it must be proven by actions. This the reason Jesus came - to prove God's love by His acts of love. He proved His infinite love the an ultimate action on the cross. He was, is, and always will be Love. Because of His action, as well as by His words.…  ( Click for more )

The book of Psalms is the longest Psalm and also the longest chapter in the Bible. It is perhaps the most loved, the most read, and the most memorized section of the Bible. This Psalm has a theme throughout that is easy to miss because it speaks to so many people in so many different ways. There is a feeling of desperation in chapter after chapter, and verse of verse. Why did the Psalmist write what he did, the way he did, with the emotions that are so profound and inspiring? Try to imagine the emotion that the Psalmist is experiencing as he pens these verses. He is led by the…  ( Click for more )