As the Day Begins “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned” (Luke 15:18, KJV). There is a moment when making excuses becomes more exhausting than admitting the truth. In Jesus’ parable, the younger son reaches that moment far from home, hungry and surrounded by theContinue reading “The Father Has Not Closed the Door”
Tag Archives: Repentance
When Wealth Cannot Shelter Us
The Bible in a Year Zephaniah speaks words most of us would rather pass over: “Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord’s wrath” (Zephaniah 1:18, NIV). Money can pay a debt, provide food, and help us care for our families. Those are valuable usesContinue reading “When Wealth Cannot Shelter Us”
Why Will You Die When God Calls You to Live?
The Bible in a Year “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” — Ezekiel 33:11 Ezekiel 33 placesContinue reading “Why Will You Die When God Calls You to Live?”
When a Lie Comforts the Wrong Heart
The Bible in a Year “With lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life.” —Ezekiel 13:22 Ezekiel ministered during a spiritually confusing time. Jerusalem was moving towardContinue reading “When a Lie Comforts the Wrong Heart”
When the Far Country Makes Us Remember
The Bible in a Year “They that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me.” —Ezekiel 6:9 Ezekiel ministered to people who had discovered that rebellion against God carries consequences. Jerusalem was under judgment, idolatryContinue reading “When the Far Country Makes Us Remember”
When Failure Sends You Home
On Second Thought Peter’s declaration sounded courageous when he made it: “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake” (John 13:37). We can almost hear the confidence in his voice. Peter loved Jesus, and he sincerely believed his devotion was strong enough to withstand whatever cameContinue reading “When Failure Sends You Home”
Repentance That Shows Up on Monday
In the Life of Christ “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. — Luke 3:10 That may be one of the healthiest questions anyone can ask after hearing the truth of God: What should I do now? John the Baptist had been preaching repentance with enough force to shake people out of their comfortableContinue reading “Repentance That Shows Up on Monday”
Turn Around—The King Is Coming
In the Life of Christ There is something refreshingly uncomplicated about John the Baptist. He does not arrive in Luke’s Gospel trying to build a following around himself. He has one message because, ultimately, he has one mission: prepare people for Jesus. Luke tells us that John went throughout the Jordan region “preaching a baptismContinue reading “Turn Around—The King Is Coming”
When Judgment Pauses at the Door
The Bible in a Year “If that nation, against whom I have pronounced judgment, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.” — Jeremiah 18:8 Jeremiah 18 gives us one of those passages that helps us understand both the seriousness of sin and the tenderness ofContinue reading “When Judgment Pauses at the Door”
The Storm Never Stays in One Cabin
On Second Thought “I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, and He answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice.” — Jonah 2:2 One of the most persistent lies sin tells us is that it can be contained. We tell ourselves that a private decisionContinue reading “The Storm Never Stays in One Cabin”