Sheep Food

  Suppose I came to you because I noticed you seemed to be in pretty good health and physical shape, and wanted some advice. I told you that I had been feeling bad, sluggish, had trouble breathing a lot, lacked energy, coughing non-stop, etc. And while I was not prepared to give up my 2-pack of cigarettes that I smoked daily... what would be your response if I asked you if I would feel better if I started eating a bag of carrots, along with two apples a day? Or instead of the cigarettes, let’s just say I had an ‘addiction’ to M&M’s and Oreos, to name a few food items, and the ½ pound bag of candy and half a package of the cookies I consumed daily, among other things, were not helping my waistline one bit. The added weight in turn, was making me feel bad so I was thinking about countering all that by adding the carrots and apples to my daily intake; would that help me out any? I’m hoping we are all ‘on the same page’ here as to knowing what my real problem is. And yet...how ...

  Over the years, it was not uncommon for people to reach out to me asking advice on what kind of lens I would suggest be their next purchase or acquisition. And I was always happy to offer my input, but I usually began with a question first in response. It was a question that would be similar to what might be asked if you walked in to a Home Depot and told one of the attendants that you were thinking about buying some tools and wanted to know which ones to start with. Or maybe if you walked in to a Bass Pro Shop and asked the clerk behind the counter after them you were going fishing soon and wanted their recommendations on what lures to buy. I bet you know the question: What are you planning on shooting...or building/working on...or what kind of fish are you wanting to catch? And if the answer is a blank shrug with absolutely no helpful feedback, then you really are at a loss as to what to tell them; the reason being - there are so many possible answers and options. I do own a...

Your mind does not have to be filled with ‘bad things’ in order to keep you from walking in perfect peace; it just has to be filled with pretty much anything else that keeps your mind off of God. (Isa. 26:3) Something we probably don’t give much thought to (no pun intended here) is the fact that not only does the first and foremost commandment that we’re expected to fulfill and obey... not only includes loving God with ALL our hearts, but also with ALL our minds. (Matt. 22:37; Luke 10:25-28) And something else I need to say that probably needs to be repeated often for all of us to hear...is this ‘abiding in Jesus’ so that we can be ‘sanctified’ does not just happen automatically because we join a church. Nor does it happen because we simply desire it or say we are willing to be ‘made holy’. When a new convert makes their initial ‘profession of faith’ and/or ‘gives their life to Jesus, it is the beginning of a walk, not the end. And those who endure till the end will be saved. (Matt. 2...

  How about we start out with a couple of impressive promises..from the God who cannot lie, with conditions of course? (Heb. 6:18) IF...you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and It shall be done for you.” (John 15:7) “By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” (1 John 2:6). Now by this we know that we know Him, IF we keep His commandments.” (1 John 2:3) “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” (1 John 3:22) “And this is His commandment that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.” (23) “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; AS I HAVE LOVED YOU...that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, IF...you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-45) Question: How on earth could any...

  What if the Bible really was true? As in all of it? Suppose this world really was draped in spiritual darkness and the ‘wicked one’ truly was controlling and exerting his power on all who were not truly...walking in the light? (1 John 5:19; Acts 26:18; Eph. 2:1-3; 2 Cor. 4:3-4) May I invite you to pause and look up those references right now and let them sink in? What if humanity was held captive by unseen forces of darkness that had existed as long as this world had been here. (Gen. 1:1-2). And if we were enlightened as to who this force of darkness was, how would that change your outlook on life? What if Revelation 12:7-12 was not just a poetic metaphor but a true revelation as to why there was so much evil, wickedness, darkness and suffering on this earth? Would you feel empowered to confront and take this spiritual foe on ...in your own power and strength? Or might you need something...or Someone who was more knowledgeable, and powerful, than you who could effectively deal ...

  If you are not careful, or not paying close attention to small details, you’ll miss it. If you are one who leans in the direction where you feel more compelled to ‘get through the chapter’ and not get ‘sidetracked’, it’s unlikely you stopped to look up the reference and then went back to explore and examine what he was talking about. I’m referring to a very short warning that Paul sandwiched in the middle of his sermon to the people in Antioch...telling them to 'Beware!'. (Acts 13). After reviewing a brief history of their people, he brings them to the place declaring that the “words of salvation” have been brought to them, (26) and then makes it known that “everyone who believes in Him (Jesus) is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.”(39) Let me inject one comment here regarding this idea of ‘just believing’. It seems to be a big sticking point of contention among many professing believers today, as to what does it mean to just...

  Years ago, I was given a wood plaque-type carving that had a picture of a little mouse with a small bag of its belongings slung over its shoulder. The inscription that was written out read: “If you don’t feel close to God, guess who moved?” While that is not a Bible verse, per say, there is a bit of truth woven in that statement (Heb. 3:12; John 6:66). Yes, I realize that our relationship is not based on ‘feelings’, but ‘faith’; and yet, (I don’t know who needs to hear this) let me assure you – IF a person is abiding in Jesus...they will know it! How can I say such a thing? Well, for starters – we know that in His presence, there is fullness of joy.’ (Ps. 16:11). We know that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Cor. 3:17). To those who abide in Him, He gives us HIS peace. (John 14:27). In fact, that is how His Spirit leads and guides us...with His peace. (Col. 3:15; Luke 1:79) Let’s go back and visit the writings of Isaiah, who in chapter 55 was exhorting God’...