Steve's Blog
“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. Matthew 5:11–12 (NLT)
Growing up we learned “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words shall never hurt me.” It is an expression that has been around for a long time, but in recent years it has come...
O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.” 2 Chronicles 20:12 (NLT)
It does not require genius, or great spiritual discernment to understand that we live in turbulent times. In the United States, again we are hearing that this is the most important election of our lifetime. Didn’t we hear that 4 years ago?
King Jehoshaphat, a godly king, realized that Israel faced an en...
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And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 2 Corinthians 4:15–16 (NLT)
Famed football coach, Lou Holtz, said, “In this world you're either growing or you're dying so get in motion and grow.” Others have expressed this idea as well, but nevertheless it is a truth that we ignore at our peril.
As long as we are i...
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)
As Christ-followers we should be different from the world, but in reality, it can be uncomfortable to be a nonconformist. Yet, it is the only way for us to be able to test and approve “what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Various translations shed even more light o...
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