What is on your heart to accomplish? Write the next great American Novel? Compose a symphony? Preach the gospel in a foreign land? Feed the poor? Unite the nations? Or maybe you are like me lately, just trying to find the self-control to eat healthy and wash the dishes. But God has given me everything I need to be successful in this life, to fulfill my dreams, and live a...
ACING The Test
I made a mistake. I lost something I really need and if not found will cause me a lot of work. I’m sad, angry with myself and a little anxious. As I stewed in this emotional hodgepodge, The Holy Spirit reminded of something I wrote in my new book. “God even redeems the mistakes we make.” Do I really believe this tonight? I feel like my students tonight. The Holy...
In It To Win It
I learned this song in VBS over 35 years ago. As I look at the words today, I think, “Man we were so deceived. The only true statement in these lyrics is ‘I’m in the Lord’s Army’.” “I’m in the Lord’s army. I may never march in the infantry, Ride in the Calvary, Shoot the artilery Fly over the enemy, But I’m in the Lord’s Army.” We are in a...
It’s On!
My daughter’s region was hit by a tornado this weekend. She is okay but she was without power for 24 hours and could not start her new job this weekend. She lost two days of pay. Yesterday, my son was in a car accident. He is physically okay but this will have a huge financial impact on him. I am ticked. Not at my children but at the enemy of...
True Revenge
The third component of redemption is God’s promise he will contend with those who contend with us (Isaiah 49:25). God will avenge us against our enemies with great acts of judgment. Now, before you get excited and think God is going to smite our coworkers who mistreated us, terrorize our exes who betrayed us, or eliminate those who have hurt us, remember we do not wrestle against flesh and blood...
An Abundant Life
When I read the book of Joshua, I’m uncomfortable with the violence. I’m uneasy when I read how nations were completely annihilated in the name of God. But I do believe God is teaching me through these lessons. God wants us to completely and thoroughly annihilate our enemies today. But our enemies are never ever people. Our enemies are lack, lies, sickness, fear, racism, and hatred. How do we extinguish...
Thought Life
I had a pretty good day yesterday. I got papers graded, got some writing done and spent the evening catching up with a dear friend. But when I got home, I was mindlessly scrolling through Facebook, saw a post (it was not a bad post or anything) but it suddenly made me feel inferior and unloved. Now I had a choice. Do I agree with those feelings or do I...
I’m a Co-Heir
Have you ever considered that we are heirs? We have an inheritance. The Bible says we are co-heirs with Christ. Now, an inheritance is mine simply because I am a child. I don’t have to work for it or earn it. Others may contest it but I can pull out the Will (The New Testament) and say, “See, it says it right here, this legally belongs to me.” So what...
Uncursable
Do you believe as a Christian you can be cursed? I grew up in Louisiana where voodoo and mysticism were rampant. If you ran into a string of bad luck, you would immediately wonder if someone had put a curse on you. In the African American community, there was a thought we were descendants of Ham, Noah’s son who exposed his father’s nakedness, and therefore perpetually cursed. In the Christian...
Wearing the Right Shoes
The right pair of shoes are important. I like cute sandals and high heels but I wouldn’t want to wear them if I were mowing the lawn, running a long distance or in a battle. There is a time for fashion and a time to be practical. The Roman empire knew this. Footwear played a major role in establishing the Roman Empire. The Roman soldier wore sandals with hobnails in...