“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1 ESV One of the concerns I witness in many Christian circles is this movement of so-called Christians who look down their pharisaical noses, judging …
Tag Archives: devotions
The One Thing That Truly Matters
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 ESV ‘Things’ versus ‘kingdom’ is a matter of perspective. What might seem so important to us – food and clothing – are trivial and temporary when held up against the light of eternity. What …
The Benefits of Praise
“Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.” Psalm 33:1 ESV Praise is fitting, it is proper, it is becoming for those who are upright (honorable, honest, of good standing with God). I think of this as a well-fitting suit or outfit that reflects our standing with God. Because of …
Refresh
A generous person will prosper, whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 NIV 2 Kings, chapter 4, recounts the story of a Shunammite Woman who created a guest room in her house for the prophet Elisha. Whenever he passed that way, he was welcomed into her and her husband’s home where he received refreshment …
More Than What We See or Know
“How can I curse whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce whom the Lord has not denounced? . . . The Lord their God is with them . . .” Numbers 23:8,21 ESV King Balak had summoned Balaam to come to his aid. Overcome with fear at what he perceived to be a …
Gratitude in the Midst of Hardship
Acts of gratitude make one grateful, because step by step, they reveal that all is grace.” – Henri Nouwen
Fear Versus Reality
Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, and Moab was terrified of the people because they were numerous. Indeed, Moab dreaded the Israelites. So the Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will devour everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” Since …
The Problem with Selfie Mode
Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would …
To Speak Or Not To Speak
“Must I not take care to speak what the Lord puts in my mouth?” Numbers 23:12 ESV King Balak had summoned Balaam to pronounce a curse against the approaching armies of Israel. Though hired to speak defeat and evil against them, God foiled Balak’s plan. As the Spirit of God came upon him (24:2), the …
Is Your Light Increasing?
Guest post by Author Lauri Lemke Thompson “The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine.” Prov. 4:18 MSG Sunrises fascinate me, probably because, as a night owl, I have experienced so few of them. When I was 14, I set my alarm just to see one. Lovely, …