Growing in Grace

In endorsing laws based solely on the secular liberal-libertarian conception of freedom (at least those that produce no obvious self-harm), they are doing the very opposite of what Jesus called them to do: They are hating their neighbors, including their gay and lesbian neighbors. You do not love your neighbor by encouraging them to engage in actions that invoke God's wrath ( Psalm 5:4-5 ;   Romans 1:18 ). As Christians we may be required to tolerate   ungodly behavior, but the moment we begin to endorse the same then we too have become suppressors of the truth. You cannot love your neighbor and want to see them excluded from the kingdom of Christ ( Eph. 5:5 ). What is needed is courage in speaking the truth: We cannot love our neighbor and tolerate idolatry and unrepentant rebellion against God. We cannot continue with the "go along to get along" mentality that is leading those we love to destruction. We must speak the word of God with boldness ( Acts 4:31 ) and acce...

But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble . -Psalm 59:16 Control is a confusing issue for moms. We are supposed to determine limits, bedtimes, and portions, and teach character, academics, and hygiene. But even while holding tightly to the things we manage, we need to acknowledge the Great Manager and remember He is always there and in ultimate control. God is in control even in the dark moments in rocking chairs and on bathroom floors and, yes, in playground mulch. And in even darker moments in exam rooms and funeral homes. We grapple with reacting in crisis, soothing our children, changing unpleasant realities, and maybe even who to blame. Recognizing God's presence in the decidedly undramatic times helps us cling to God when life hits those inevitable spiritual potholes. " The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. " (Psalm 145:14). People have always...

Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will be also.  -Matthew 6:19-21 NLT In the book Always There,  a mom writes about how she had to move from the familiar comforts of family and her home state to support her husband's new job and further education. They ended up in a small apartment in a not so great area . There was an old dusty playground in front of their apartment. The disappointment was heightened after a series of financial setbacks meant they had to spend two more years than they had planned in this situation. She writes about how she resented having "to change everything not only to become financially sound again, but just to make ends meet." She did not hide her bitterness from her husband and a few clos...

His delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night . - Psalm 1:2 I was talking with a businessman recently who is involved in a Bible study with about a half-dozen men. These guys are all "well-oiled," financially speaking. But as I listened to him describe these men, I wondered what kind of Christianity they were modeling to their children? As parents, we need to think about the priorities we are teaching our children by our words and our actions. Ask yourself, If I could pass on my relationship with God to my kids, would they be satisfied with what they receive? If my children could never experience anything more than what I have today, would they be given enough to chart themselves successfully through life? Would they experience God? Would they know enough of Christ to long for more - a deeper and deeper fellowship with Jesus Christ? One thing we often say in our conferences and on radio is that your children will listen to what you say...

Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple . - Luke 14:27 We don't talk a lot about cross carrying. That's more the fine print of being a follower of Christ - the part we don't generally go around advertising to those we're hoping to draw into Christian faith. But as I understand Jesus' words in Luke 14:27, you and I cannot truly follow Him unless we are carrying a cross. The cross is not just a popular piece of jewelry but also a unique Christian symbol that represents suffering and sacrifice. So it is with the cross He has asked you to carry. Your cross will undoubtedly extract pain and a price. Cross carrying is not a one-time decision. No, we must choose daily to pick up our cross, again, and follow Him. We are to continue carrying it over the long haul. Do you know what your cross is? Think with me for a moment. When the Savior asks you, "Pick up your cross and follow Me," what exactly is it that He is asking ...

You shall have no other gods before Me . - Exodus 20:3 There's nothing wrong with (sports) - or business or music or writing or entertainment or decorating - but when something becomes the focus of all your dreams and attention and energy, it becomes an idol in your life . For all intents and purposes, you begin worshiping it instead of God. Nothing can satisfy us like God. And nothing should replace Him in our affections. How many false gods could you name in your life? What are you hoping they'll do for you? Pray and ask God to protect your heart from being deceived and to give you an overwhelming desire to worship Him and Him only -Excerpted from Moments With You by Dennis and Barbara Rainey

But godliness with contentment is great gain - 1 Timothy 6:6 Whether you know it or not, your marriage is susceptible to the American Dream Syndrome - the notion that you can have it all, that you deserve it all.The more stuff you have, the better off you are. Desire to acquire. The slogans, like the wish lists, are practically endless. Yet contrary to the seductive tune of the American Dream, enough is never enough. Getting more only fuels the urge to get more. So how do you learn to live within that truth without constantly feeling like your lives don't measure up? You embrace contentment . Contentment arises from a spirit of gratefulness. It's the courageous choice to thank God for what you have and for what you don't have. Even when you don't know where this week's grocery money is coming from. Even when the washer goes on the blink. Even when the kids need braces. Even when your next-door neighbor drives home in a new car or is gone on a fabulous vacat...