abandoned to Christ.

“God knows my heart.” is a common phrase that both Christians and non-Christians use. And sadly, it’s carelessly thrown about to excuse or approve of the faithless, opinionated, and self-righteous way many of us choose to live. Rarely is this phrase used by a truly penitent and humble heart that worships the LORD Almighty in the splendor of holiness—in spirit and in truth (1 Chron 16:29 and Jn 4:23-24). So how can we know for certain if our hearts are the penitent or proud ones when we say, “God knows my heart.” ? We know by how God Almighty says we can know. We test our hearts by what comes out of our mouths (Mt 12:34-37, Lk 6:43-46), with God’s perfect and infallible Word of truth. This God—His way is perfect;   the word of the LORD proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him. ~2 Samuel 22:31 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God ma...

We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him: whoever loves God MUST also love his brother. ~1 John 4:19-21 (emphasis mine) If how I treat people is based on how they make me feel, what they can or cannot do for me , or what they think or how they feel about me , I prove that I am more interested in being well-loved rather than being the one who loves well. In our current society, the comforts, preferences, security, and everything that any individual desires—reigns supreme. The godly desires for community and friendship are now an endangered precept. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. ~John 13:34-35 Let love be genu...

UPDATE (09/25/2024) (original post 09/20/2024) I don't know Steve well. I've only met him a handful of times and chatted with Anne at a Women's Bible study we both attended in Dallas; and when we visited Trinity Bible Church of Dallas (TBCD) for a brief time (about five years ago). We found them both to be tireless and faithful ministers of our God and Father. When I first heard the news, my heart broke for my brother Steve,my sister Anne, their children, grandchildren, personal and ministry friends, and all those who, like me, have benefitted and have been spiritually well-fed by the teaching ministry in which the LORD God Almighty has equipped and called Steve, and the ministry He equipped and called Anne to as Steve's exceedingly suitable helpmeet. Some have already shared my sentiments, while others rail and rejoice at his private fall and public humiliation from Satan's seeming "win" over another one of God's holy and dearly beloved children (Rom ...

The Lord Jesus told us that all who belong to Him, truly belong to Him (Mt 7:21) enter through the narrow gate and continually walk the narrow way (Mt 7:14). The original Greek word for “narrow” used in this passage is θλίβω (transliterated thlíbō), which means: to afflict, distress. This is why only a few find it, delight in it, and abide in it (Ps 119:47, 72). The narrow gate and the narrow way isn’t difficult for the many to find or see because it’s minuscule and dull. For all things of the Great I AM is as He is—exceptional in grandeur and magnificent in structure! Only a few find the narrow gate and remain on the narrow way, because it is the gate and way of affliction. [W]e have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that ...

  “[L]earn to set a high price upon the quiet and sweetness of your spirit, set a high price upon it, account it to be a rich jewel of great worth, as we told you, that God accounted the meek spirit to be of great price; ‘tis one way to get it, to have a right esteem of the rest of spirit, and quietness that meekness will cause in the soule…therefore saith Christ, learn of me who am humble and meek, and you shall find rest to your souls…I have found this, that when I have been able to overcome my passion, I have had the sweetest time that ever I have had in all my life: when I could deny my selfe, and exercise meekness, O the quiet of any heart, it was worth a world, and shall I loose this for a trifle, now for a toy, O the poore trifles and toyes that men and women do cast away the quietness of their spirits for, as if they were nothing worth.” ~Jeremiah Burroughs, The Saints Happinesse; Sermon XIII Ah…the sweetness of meekness is far more impressive and far more glorious and far ...

I had an interesting conversation with a brother in Christ today. One of the things we discussed was: Is it possible to memorize too much of God’s Word? And if it is, what determines this oddity? It’s not the first time I’ve heard this before. It’s not the first time I’ve had this exact conversation with others in my Family in Christ. This topic of “too much of God” has come up more often than I’d like. And every time, it disconcerts me. If you’re wondering what I mean by “too much of God” here it is: Asking someone to read, memorize, meditate on, and/or study too much Scripture. But how much is too much? Is it even possible for any of us to spend too much time with God? Too much time thinking about Him, considering Him, praying and waiting for Him to answer: yes, no, wait, etc.? Is asking someone to read the entire Bible in three months, six months, one year, or two years too much for any Christian? Did you know that even for a slow reader and comprehender like me, it only takes ...

Bemoaning God’s kindness sounds a bit strange, doesn’t it? Do you know why? Because it is. Sadly, many, if not most of us, bemoan God’s kindness daily…and we’ve practiced it so much, rarely are we aware of it. We bemoan God’s kindness when: Someone gives us a gift with all their heart, but it doesn’t meet our standards of what we most value; We’re envious and unkind to anyone our loved ones (parents, spouse, children, friends) give honor and respect to, because we feel their admiration belongs to us; We give a gift, serve, etc. and we don’t receive the measure of gratitude we feel our giving deserves; Someone loves us enough to not sin with us; We reject someone (with or without their knowledge) that God uses  to reprove or admonish us of sin we are entertaining/practicing; We won’t even greet someone because we are envious of the spiritual gifts or natural talents God gave to them and not to us; Our first instinct is to complain and criticize rather than to consider it all joy whe...

There has been much conversation about the Asbury Revival in Kentucky. And as it is often with social media-proliferated 'news', especially with spiritual matters (for all are looking for hope somewhere, but only a few looking for it in Christ)—there are three camps: the Easily Excited, the Rarely Ignited, and the Wisely Incited. The Easily Excited are all heart with no head; ready to believe, praise, and support Kanye West, Benny Hinn, and other well-known people and groups who profess repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Emotion is prime and easy believism is promoted, though it may be unintentional. The Rarely Ignited are all head with no heart; ready to disparage and discredit claims that any well-known person or groups can truly be converted. Detached opinions are prime while a gate narrower than Christ ordained is promoted, though it may be unintentional. The Wisely Incited are head and heart; ready to test all matters with the Word of God (1 Jn 4:1, 2 Pt 2:1-3),...