Have you ever been bullied by a group? Or felt ganged up on? Maybe it wasn’t intended by them, but you felt abused? I have. So have some of the pastors and influencers we help. So has Jesus… Lord Jesus, I see you on your cross journey. A whole gang of soldiers is gathered around…
In an hour of solitude this morning I was praying for God to help me love someone who I’ve felt hurt by. This has been a wrestling for many months. Jesus teaches us, “Bless those who curse you… Give to those who ask of you… Be merciful [with others] just as your Father is merciful…
I took Briana, age 18, on a “Daddy Date” to an Angels’ baseball game. We got shut out, but we enjoyed being together. We shared a meal and snacks from our perch on the very top row behind home plate. We talked about all sorts of things and we reminisced on the fun times we had…
How do you respond when a family member speaks harshly to you? When you’re publicly criticized or slandered? When you’re vandalized or abused? Often it’s people we love or those we serve who mistreat us. We all suffer in these ways, especially pastors and others who serve the Lord in ministry. How are we to…
F. B. Meyer was pastor at Christ Church in London, England late in the 19th Century when Charles Spurgeon came to town. Spurgeon’s crowds at Metropolitan Tabernacle grew larger and larger. The young story-telling preacher was so popular that his weekly sermons were printed in the paper on Mondays. Meyer became envious, which is a…
What if while Jesus was being crucified he would’ve gotten angry at the people who tortured him? Imagine if he would’ve said things like, “Father, zap those soldiers with lighting!… Cause an earthquake to swallow up those Pharisees!… Look at these people who are mocking me even though I give my life to them in love –…
Today, out of the blue, I received a harsh criticism from someone. It was like being slugged in the gut when I wasn’t looking. Probably you know the feeling. Many people I talk to get discouraged if not depressed when they’re criticized. Most of my life that’s how I reacted too. No Condemnation in Christ I…
“Gospel” means, “Good news!” Does the gospel you believe bring good news for the life you’re actually living today? For many Christians their good news is waiting for them in heaven when they die and in the meantime they’re just holding on. They’re missing out on God’s life today. If you wan’t to go to…
A few days ago I was walking up our brick sidewalk under the twinkling of white Christmas lights strung up on our trees and house and I looked over at our brightly lit nativity scene: there were Mary and Joseph with the wise men, shepherds, and animals all huddled around and looking at… Baby Jesus was…
“Turn the other cheek,” Jesus taught. “If someone takes your shirt give him your coat. Bless those who curse you.” (Matthew 5:39, Luke 6:29). Was Jesus crazy? Was he telling us to let ourselves be abused? To live in shame and in fear with no boundaries of self-protection? No! For most people the “Love your…