Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other (Galatians 5:26).
It’s not about you.
Seriously
It’s not even about me, although I might need to double-check Scripture on that.
It’s about the One who, oh I don’t know, created everything with a word and orchestrates all of history to sing his praise and glorify his name.
Beloved, how much of our conflict with others stems from our own ego?
Too much
Eyes on the prize today, Beloved.
And off of the mirror
Happy Thursday
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).
Have you ever seen a little kids’ dance performance?
Because I have.
Lots of motion and kicks and spins and vague arm gestures and all at different times. It’s cute, but painful to watch.
So painful
How about we not do that?
Or maybe you’ve seen the video of the marching band in which 99 kids execute a sharp turn left, and one poor trombonist chugs to the right.
How about we not do that?
Or the Blue Angels performance where…oh, wait…the Blue Angels are pretty much always perfect. A million miles an hour, ¾ of an inch from wingtip to wingtip, near-perfect symmetry.
How about we do that?
We have a choreographer, Beloved. Let’s follow the steps.
Happy Wednesday.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24).
Crucifixion, as you probably know, is a painful process.
It’s supposed to be.
Crucifixion was not designed to be a quick, merciful death, but to utterly destroy the one being punished. And it worked beautifully, in all known cases.
You know…except one.
But the offenders did not die immediately. They lingered for hours, even days, before succumbing to the inevitable. Death was a given, but still they fought, thrashed, cried out.
So don’t be surprised if your sinful nature still raises its head and calls out to you. Don’t be surprised if it fights and clings to life. That’s to be expected. Just remember–it has been crucified. Its death is inevitable, no matter how much noise it makes. And you aren’t required to stand and stare at it in fascination. You don’t need to answer its piteous cries for help. You may turn and walk away.
So turn around, Beloved. Start walking.
Happy Tuesday.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus… (Galatians 5:24)
Stop right there.
Let’s begin the week with a quick heart check. As you read the above words, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus,”what was your gut reaction?
A. Did you just blow right past it, doing the obligatory read so you can get on with your day?
B. Did you rebel just a bit–or just a lot–thinking about how you’re your own person and you don’t belong to anyone, while images of slavery and oppression ran through your head?
C. Did you feel guilt, knowing that you just don’t measure up to what a Christ-follower ought to be?
D. Did you smile, feeling peace and joy and contentment run through you at the thought that he loves you, that the Creator of the Universe has called you to be his own, that you are completely, irrevocably, thoroughly his?
I know what the answer is supposed to be, but that’s not what I asked, now is it?
May I suggest that you make time this morning to go before the Throne of Grace and let your Lord refresh, renew, restore that heart before you take it out into the world?
I’ll be doing the same.
Happy Monday, Beloved.
Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares; at the head of the noisy streets she calls out, in the gateway of the city she makes her speech (Proverbs 1:20-21).
Wisdom isn’t hiding from you. It’s not stashed away in a cave on a mountain peak, or buried beneath the ocean floor. It is there for the taking.
So take, already.
My problem is, I don’t always want wisdom, because wisdom doesn’t always fit with my desires. There are some things that I want that are not good for me, and wisdom points this out, and that annoys me. Since I know that it is not good to be annoyed by the things of God, I sometimes choose to avoid wisdom altogether, pretending that it is some hidden mystery that I just can’t puzzle out rather than simple truth waiting to be embraced.
I’m so glad that you have outgrown such petty struggles, Beloved.
James tells us that if we ask, God will give us wisdom. Simple as that. Of course he goes on to point out that we are responsible for using the wisdom God gives. (That’s in James 1:5-7, if you’re wondering.) Apparently we can’t use it only when the mood takes us, when we’re feeling mature.
Wisdom is a tool, not a toy. It is a grown-up type responsibility, for grown-up type believers.
And Wisdom is calling us…
Dare we answer?
Happy Friday, Beloved
If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
New day
New year
New you
We serve a God of second chances and new beginnings. No matter what 2025 looked like, it is gone. Today you begin again. If last year was one of triumph, great—remember and rejoice, but don’t live there. Press on. If last year was one of failure, or pain, or loss—praise God for this new beginning.
The image in my head this morning is of the land after a snowfall, when nothing has yet touched the surface of the snow. It is fresh, clean, and waiting.
So…go make snow angels.
Happy 2026, Beloved of Christ.
The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
We are coming up on the New Year. When you think about it, it’s just an arbitrary date on an imaginary calendar. I mean, it’s not like Wednesday will actually look different from today. Sky will probably still be blue, grass most likely still green, gravity seems to have remained fairly constant…
You get the picture.
We look at the New Year as a time to start fresh, to begin (or re-begin) new things. We wonder about the future and what it will hold for us. What opportunities await us in this new year? What challenges? What treasures lie in our paths, and what monsters lie in wait? It can be an exciting time—and a scary time.
As you gird your loins for the days ahead, ask yourself the same question David asks: With God as my light, my life, my protector, what can possibly frighten me?
Happy Tuesday, Beloved.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:7)
Not through political activism.
Not through military strength.
Not through personal charisma.
Not through any power of man.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Chew on that today.
Happy Monday, Beloved
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. (Isaiah 9:7)
I’m not really a fan of big government. More of a low taxes, leavemealoneandlletmelivemylifewithoutyouconstantlytellingmewhattodoandtryingtoprotectmefrommyself kind of guy.
But His government? I’m all in.
You know, the best form of government would be a truly benevolent dictatorship. We get someone in power who knows what’s best, wants what’s best, and is willing and able to do what’s best without regard for lining their own pockets.
The problem, of course, is that people are people, and since even the best of men and women tend to be sin-encrusted narcissists, that kind of rule is just not possible.
Outside of Christ.
One day Jesus will rule here on Earth, in the flesh. We will get someone in power who knows what’s best, wants what’s best, and is willing and able to do what’s best without regard for lining his own pockets. His reign will go on and on and just get better and better.
Until then, we can know his government in our hearts and lives.
If you belong to Jesus, his peace, his power, his rule in your life is growing each day. Oh, you may not feel it all the time, but it’s happening.
Thought for the day: are you allowing Christ to govern your life, or are you getting in his way?
Happy Friday, Beloved
Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
We know him by many names.
Jesus Christ
Alpha
Omega
Emmanuel
I Am
Lamb of God
Prince of Peace
Mighty God
Light of the World
The Bright Morning Star
Wonderful Counselor
The Amen
Man of Sorrows
Lion of the Tribe of Judah
The Word
The Author and Finisher of Our Faith
Bread of Life
Living Water
God calls him by another name, the name which is above all names.
Son.
And here’s something really crazy. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, do you know what God now calls us?
Yes, you do.
How can that be? What can that mean?
Chew on that today.
Merry Christmas, Beloved