At twelve I was reading Rosemary’s Baby and by thirteen listening to AC/DC with gusto. When I graduated high school I had devoured all the religion shelves at the library–including books on cults and witchcraft. Freddy Kruger and I met in junior high around the …
Rooted in Christ: Yielding Fruits of the Spirit
Living for Christ Alone
Living, moving, and being–three realities of being in relationship and abiding in Christ. Are you aware of these realities? What does it look like to live in Christ alone? It means you don’t go any place without His presence. You can’t get lost and you …
Self-Control: The “After” Picture of Peter (Part 2)
After the death and resurrection of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit, Peter became a very different man. You might say he had an extreme makeover. Jesus forgave Peter for denying Him and gently restored him (John 21:15–17), and God’s Spirit controlled Peter’s …
Self-Control: The “Before” Picture of Peter
For several months our devotions have covered the fruit of the Spirit. The final aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is self-control. From an early age, our children and grandchildren say, “Me do it.” They want control. But if we have true self-control, we’re …
The Battle in My Mouth
Every day I fight a war of words. As I wrangle with my thoughts and vocabulary, I’m brought deeper into the Word of God for guidance and strength. My greatest challenge is when I am on the road. When I get behind the steering wheel …
Do You Love Me More than This?
A few years ago I was preparing for a mission trip. As I prayed, God revealed He wanted me to prepare by fasting from Cokes. Now for some of you that would not be a big thing, but for me I was like really, God? …
July ~ Spirit Led Self-Control
It might get a bit messy in July. We will be discussing the often overlooked fruit of self-control. In our day, self-control is not a popular subject even within Christian circles. Together, let’s pray for the Holy Spirit to direct us into understanding this powerful …
The Ultimate Example of Kindness
Recently I happened upon an interesting story in the Bible that I don’t remember reading before. It was from 2 Samuel 24. It’s about the time the Israelites were once again rebelling against the Lord and punishment was imminent. Through the prophet Gad, God gave …
Gentle on the Hair
I yank it. I pull it. I stretch it. I rake my fingers through it carelessly. Yes, I’m talking about my hair. God has been showing me that the way I treat my hair is a barometer for the way I treat myself and others. …
Dealing Gently with Difficult People
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” [Ephesians 4:32] The popular writer F.W. Boreham once lost patience with a difficult man name Crittingden, who said and wrote many critical words. Boreham, angered beyond endurance, finally …