For some reason people accept Jesus as Lord before they accept Him as Savior. It’s easier to comprehend His power than His mercy.

Those who keep secrets from God keep their distance from God. Those who are honest with God draw near to God.

Secrets erect a fence, while confession builds a bridge.

If we confess our sins, He will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right.

The longer you run, the more complicated life gets.

God hears thousands of appeals a second. Some are legitimate. We, too, ask God to remove the fear or change His plans. He usually answers with a gentle shove that leaves us airborne and suspended by His grace.

Paul writes in present tense. He does not describe a struggle of the past, but a struggle of the present. For all we know, Paul was engaged in spiritual combat even as he wrote this letter.

To believe we are totally and eternally debt free is seldom easy. Even if we’ve stood before the throne and heard it from the King Himself, we still doubt. As a result, many are forgiven only a little, not because the grace of the King is limited, but because the faith of the sinner is small.

God has enlisted us in His navy and placed us on His ship. The boat has one purpose - to carry us safely to the other side. This is no cruise ship, it’s a battleship. We aren’t called to a life of leisure; we are called to a life of service. Each of us has a different task. Some wear uniforms and some congregate for serious study. Some devote themselves to prayer. Some want real wine at communion, and some want to examine the nuts and bolts of the engine. Some officers want to wear robes and some want no officers at all. The consequence is a rocky boat, with trouble on the deck.

Satan’s master strategy has been to promote continuous and widespread fragmentation. The sin of disunity has been the cause of many souls being lost.

C.S. Lewis put muscle in my faith. A Southern Baptist helped me understand grace. Steve Brown taught me about God’s sovereignty. Frederick Buechner taught me abut God’s passion. Brennan Manning convinced me that Jesus is relentlessly tender. I’m a better husband because I read James Dobson and a better preacher because I listened to Chuck Swindoll and Bill Hybels.

"They are God’s servants," Paul reminds us, "Not yours. They are responsible to Him, not to you. Let him tell them, whether they are right or wrong. And God is able to make them do as they should" Romans 14:4

Do you live in fear of never doing enough? Or do you live in gratitude, knowing enough has already been done? Do you have a small circle, accepting only the few who work like you? Or do you have a large circle, accepting all who love who you love? Do you worship to impress God? Or do you worship to thank God? Do you do good deeds in order to be saved? Or do you do good deeds because you are saved? Do you pray, "God. I thank you that I am not like other people who steal, cheat, or take part in adultery"? Or do you confess, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner"?

Our children are our future. Sara was singing. Singing about God. Singing to God. Head back, chin up, and lungs full, she filled the car with music. Heaven’s harps paused to listen.

Your parents may have forgotten you, your teachers may have neglected you, your siblings may be

ashamed of you; but within reach of your prayers is the maker of the oceans. God!

Say the following, GOD is for us. Then repeat it four times: GOD is for us, God IS for us, God is FOR us,

God is for US. Why not place yourself in the hands of someone stronger? You cannot save yourself. The river is too strong; the distance is too great. God has sent his firstborn Son to carry you home. Are you firmly in the grip of His grace?