Not long after moving to the country, I decided to build a tree house. Officially it was going to be a two-story deck built around the trunk of a massive tree. My neighbor had given me several round poles that were about 16’ long, and at his insistence, I began building a frame with them.Continue reading “He is Coming With a Plumbline in His Hand. Amos 7:8.”
Category Archives: Loyalty/Faithfulness/Integrity
THE ROLL CALL OF THE FAITHFUL. Hebrews 11:2-38.
Are you familiar with Hebrews 11? Hebrews 11 is known as “the Faith Chapter” for its litany of people who lived by faith—people whose lives should inspire us. It is one of the great chapters of the Bible that everyone should know. It begins with a definition of faith: “the reality of what is hopedContinue reading “THE ROLL CALL OF THE FAITHFUL. Hebrews 11:2-38.”
FINISH WELL. Hebrews 10:36.
King Asa took the throne following two generations of idol-worshipers. Unlike his father and grandfather, Asa was devout: “Asa did what was right in the Lord’s eyes, as his ancestor David had done” 1 Kings 15:11. “Asa’s heart was completely devoted to the Lord his entire life” 1 Kings 15:14. “Asa did what was goodContinue reading “FINISH WELL. Hebrews 10:36.”
COULD YOU WALK AWAY FROM JESUS? John 6:68.
Jesus called twelve to become His disciples. But multitudes followed Him, listening to His teaching, being healed of diseases, eating 5,000 fish sandwiches that He created with a simple prayer of thanks. People love a leader who says poetic things and gives away food. Everyone was drawn to Him; Jesus was the biggest thing toContinue reading “COULD YOU WALK AWAY FROM JESUS? John 6:68.”
BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART. Revelation 14:4-5.
Do you hear stories of those who have participated in every sin the world offers, then come to Jesus and seem to share the most exciting testimonies? Do you read about King David who—as if being king were not reward enough—also had 1,000 beautiful wives? (The Bible does not say all 1,000 were beautiful, butContinue reading “BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART. Revelation 14:4-5.”
CONSISTENCY. Daniel 6:5-16.
What do you do consistently? Do you run every day? Eat potato chips every day? Pray every day? People notice the things you do consistently. Three kings rewarded Daniel for his consistency. When others became jealous, they hatched a plan that would land Daniel in a pit filled with starving lions. They wanted to trapContinue reading “CONSISTENCY. Daniel 6:5-16.”
Beware of Shortcuts.
I love a good shortcut. I’ll never forget taking a shortcut back to our campsite. The rest of our scout troop was convinced I was wrong. But when I arrived back at camp alone, the men looked at me wondering where the others were. Then I took a shower and got cleaned up. An hourContinue reading “Beware of Shortcuts.”
The Eyes of the Lord.
Who do you depend on? God, or yourself? We train children to work hard and do what they are supposed to do. And wisdom requires you to fulfill your obligations. Why rely on others for tasks you can complete on your own? It’s like a farm: you should plow your own fields, plant your ownContinue reading “The Eyes of the Lord.”
The Weakest Link.
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, correct? One weak link, and the whole thing snaps. God promised David that he would never fail to have one of his descendants on the throne, IF… “You will never fail to have a man to sit before Me on the throne of Israel, ifContinue reading “The Weakest Link.”
Loyalty.
Are you loyal for a season or for life? Most young people are fair-weather friends, committed to things while it is convenient. But sometimes God will put people in your life who deserve a serious commitment. As you know, your mom and I have friends we have known since childhood, and to whom we remainContinue reading “Loyalty.”
Household Words: 