Category Archives: The Gospel

Quit Trying

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Psalm 49

What is a person’s eternal soul worth? We know God thought it was worth dying for. But I can’t die for my own sins. If I die a sinner, I can’t come back clean. If I die a sinner, I will spend eternity as a sinner, separated from God.

Some people try so hard to be good enough. Friend, I hate to break it to you, but there aren’t enough good works in the world to ransom one lost soul, “to redeem him is too costly.” (vv 7-8) I love the psalmist’s conclusion also found in those two verses: “One should forever stop trying.”

Quit trying to be good enough to earn a spot in heaven. Quit trying to go to church enough, or say enough prayers, or give enough. The cost of your redemption is beyond what you can pay.

So stop trying so that (you) may live forever and not see the Pit. (vs 9)

Are you so arrogant to think you can equal what Jesus did on the cross? Paul said this:

I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.” (Galatians 2:21)

If you can earn your way into heaven, then Jesus’ horrible death was a waste of time.

Have you ever tried to accomplish a daunting task? You try and try and try, but with each attempt you are met with failure. No matter what you do, it’s just not good enough. You’re frustrated, defeated, hopeless.

But then you rush to a parent, a spouse, or dear friend, and melt into their embrace. No words need to be spoken. Yet as you feel the warmth of their loving presence you begin to relax, the frustration is calmed, you can breathe.

That’s kind of what it’s like to stop trying to be good enough to go to heaven. It’s like how it feels to receive what Jesus died to give you. You feel the warmth of His presence and you begin to relax. The strain of all the “trying” is released and you can breathe.

Have you ever been asked the question, “If you were to die today and stand before God, how would you answer His question: “Why should I let you into My heaven?'” The saddest answer begins with “I.”

I went to church
I gave to the poor.
I was a good person.
I hope I did enough.

Let me put your mind at ease. You can’t do enough. Period. Dear one, that is really, REALLY good news.

If you are depending on you, you are in for a world of hurt. So quit trying.

Surrender. Rush to Jesus and melt into His embrace. Admit you are a sinner in need of saving. Confess your inability to save yourself, and accept the free gift of total forgiveness bought and paid for by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

You can’t do enough, but Jesus did.

You can’t do enough, so quit trying.

It’s The Same, But Different

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Psalm 21-25

God’s goodness, his compassion, love, and mercy have always existed, even before Creation, because God has always existed. He IS compassion, love, and mercy. Nature itself, all humanity are recipients of those blessings every minute of every day. Like it or not, believe it or not, we are all blessed because God IS.

That being said, there is a special level of those blessings for God’s own children. There is a special relationship between the Shepherd and His sheep. It’s a different level of blessing for those who are His through the blood of Jesus.

I’m going to use an example that some of you will object to. Let’s try to set politics aside and see the comparison for what it is, just a comparison. Here goes:

We Americans are the recipients of the blessings afforded us by Donald Trump’s presidency, his generosity, patriotism, common sense, and the ability he has to negotiate for the benefit of America first. Like it or not, believe it or not, we are experiencing the benefits of his leadership.

But there is a special level of blessing reserved for his children. They receive all the blessings from his presidency, just like the rest of us. But sit around the dinner table, snuggle up to Grandpa on the couch, and there is a precious connection that we outside his family cannot know. He is Dad or Grandpa to those few, and not to the rest of us.

That’s what David understood about God. God is good all the time. Believe it or not, like it or not, the world is blessed because God is God. We are all blessed exactly the same by Creator God.

But snuggle up next to Him through His Word. Receive the blessings reserved for His children. He is Father to those of us who know Him through His Son Jesus, and not to the rest of humanity.

We are all blessed the same by God who is over all. But it’s a different level of blessing to those of us who know Him, who call Him Father and LORD.

It might be the same, but it’s also very, very different.

I’m a Tree

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Psalm 1-8

It wasn’t until I was about halfway through my life that I developed an appreciation for the Psalms, even though for 30 plus years I had heard people say how meaningful they were to them, and how blessed they were by them. I used to think I couldn’t relate to the psalms because, unlike David and some of the other writers, I didn’t have an enemy with an army trying to kill me. I didn’t want to see anyone pulverized because they hurt me. Plus, I’m just not into poetry.

That is until a pastor of mine reminded me I do have an enemy with armies that are continually attacking, continually attempting to kill my soul. “Read those psalms with Satan in mind,” he said.

Oh right. Now I get it. And over the years I have grown to love the psalms, to be blessed and challenged by them. I’ve seen my enemy, and rejoice with the psalmists over my Lord’s defeat over Satan on my behalf.

These are God’s words. What’s not to love?

That’s why I love about the Bible and why I look forward to reading it every day. I relate to what the writer of Psalm 1 says. The Word of God plants my soul by the water that refreshes me, nourishes me, strengthens me to produce fruit for His pleasure. It’s my lifeline between me and God.

I agree with David’s words in 4:6 because I can look at our fallen world and see only violence, hatred, lies, immorality, war, and an uncertain future and say:

Who can show us anything good?

And, honestly if I look at the news, I don’t think there is anything good to see.

Then I look up. I open my Bible and see God in all His glory. I see the God who is love, who died to take on the punishment for all the evil I see in our world, and in me. The revelation of the seriousness of sin, and also its cure, is found in these precious pages. David goes on in verse 6 and prays:

Let the light of your face shine on us, LORD.

That light is revealed in the words God inspired to be written in the book we call the Bible.

I’m looking forward to the next month or so as I dig into the psalms, meditating on them, praying them back to God, singing them, and allowing God to speak to me through them. I want to be that tree in Psalm 1, drinking in the flowing stream of comfort and Truth, and God Himself!

LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the world.

LORD, my Lord, how majestic is your name in my heart.

Who Do You Think You Are?

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Job 38-42

Here’s the thing. When we come face to face with God, when we take a good look, a sincere look at who He is – Creator God – we will have the same response as Job had:

I had heard reports about you, but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I reject my words and am sorry for them. I am dust and ashes. (42:5-6)

I hope you’ll read these chapters today as though God was talking to you. Get ready to be humbled. Can you honestly stand next to God and dare to tout your own accomplishments? Can you declare your goodness, or intellect, or righteousness equal to His?

Who do you think you are? The correct answer is dust and ashes.

Then take a good look at Creator God, all powerful, all knowing, righteous and holy, and know He sees you. He loves you. He gave His life to save yours.

If you’ve never humbled yourself and accepted the grace of God through Jesus’ blood, do it today. Get to know Him through His Word, and receive what He died to give you.

If you are already His child by way of the cross, let this challenge you to take a good look at Him today. Stop and consider the truth of who He is. Check your heart against His. Is there is a hint of pride, or self-satisfaction, or a suggestion of a skewed opinion of Him shaped by the world? Then repent immediately. Don’t let Satan get a foothold.

When you take an honest look at God, you will be humbled. You will feel like dust and ashes in comparison. As you should. The question is not so much, “who do you think you are?” as it is “who does God think you are?

According to Scripture He thinks you are worth dying for. That lump of dust and ashes that is you, is precious to Him, someone He wants a relationship with. Can you grasp the wonder of that truth?

“Who do you think you are?” I pray you can answer that with, “A child of God, a sinner saved by grace!”

Little Gems with Big Truth

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Nehemiah 10-11

Mattaniah was the one who began the thanksgiving with prayer. Several verses later we find he and his relatives were also in charge of the songs of praise. If you skip over the long list of hard-to-pronounce names, you miss the little gems thrown in.

I’m thinking about Mattaniah this morning. Of all the men listed, he was the one who opened with prayer. He was in charge of the song portion of worship.

But what stood out to me was the fact his relatives served alongside him. What an example he was for his family. He was a praying man. He was a praising man. And Scripture tells us his relatives followed his example.

The music minister of my church has been with us for many years. His sons grew up in the church and are now adult men. Today, both boys serve alongside their dad, one as the youth pastor, the other as the bass player, and both are on the worship team their dad leads every Sunday. I can’t imagine a bigger blessing for a parent than to serve God shoulder to shoulder with your children.

So the little gem I found today in the book of Nehemiah was Mattaniah. The big truth I recognized is the fact that our lives, the choices we make, and the evidence of our commitment to Jesus are the footsteps our children are following.

My question is, where are your footsteps leading your children?

It Has To Be Their’s

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2 Chronicles 21-24

Oh, Joash. Every time I read your story I secretly hope it turns out differently. Why, Joash? How? You did such great things for the Lord as long as Jehoiada was there to guide you. Was it just religion to you? How could you not see the connection between blessing and obedience? How could you be so easily led astray?

Hold on!

Parents, let this be a warning. Are you raising a Joash? Do your kids do the church thing, go to Awana’s, learn to pray at meals? Can they recite John 3:16 and tell you what happened the third day after Jesus died? I hope so.

But you do know raising good kids isn’t enough, right? They might be able to do and say the right things, but you aren’t raising robots. There will come a time when voices, sometimes subtle and sometime loud and strong will try to lure your children away from everything you know is true.

Talk to your kids about spiritual things. Read the Bible together and ask them what they believe. Guide them to internalize the truth. Answer their questions and show them where those answers are in the Bible.

Your precious children, those dear ones God has entrusted to you, can’t live on your faith. It has to be their’s.

The Most Beautiful

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2 Chronicles 6-8

I sat here this morning trying to picture the dedication of Solomon’s beautiful temple. All that gold, the fanfare, the crowds, the excitement and wonder, God’s Presence so powerful everyone stopped in awe of Him. I think of the emotion, the uplifted hands, the bowing low before a Holy God. I think of the sacrifices and the singing. I imagine hearts devoted to God, determined to obey Him, loving Him, and praising Him.

This went on for seven days! That amazing temple, built for God, was reason to celebrate. I wish I could have seen it first hand.

And yet, I am reminded that I am the temple of God in 2026. God Himself has built this temple named Connie for Him to live in. I might look in the mirror and think He didn’t build a very beautiful home for himself. But in reality, there is nothing more beautiful than a heart where Jesus is. There is nothing more worthy of celebration than a heart cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb.

People may have looked at Solomon’s temple and said, “That’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” But when God looks at me through the precious blood of His Son, He says the same thing.

My Prayer for Parents

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1 Chronicles 22

Here is a father’s heart.

In David’s charge to Solomon we see a man devoted to the work of the Lord. Yes, he would not build the temple, would not realize his longing to do something amazing for God. So instead, he poured out his heart to his son and challenged him to carry on.

“I’ve provided what you need, son. Now go do something amazing for the Lord. You will succeed if you carefully follow God’s law. Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or discouraged.” (from 22:13)

Parents, do you recognize your own heart’s desire here? Are you devoted to the work of the Lord? Do your children see your passion for the Truth, for the Gospel to reach lost souls? Do they see you actively taking part in the Great Commission? And are you equipping your children to carry on when you are gone? Can you honestly say you are giving them a firm foundation on which to build their lives and ministry?

I think it’s a bit like teaching your child to ride a bike. Do you remember what that was like? You probably provided them with training wheels at first and let them get used to maneuvering the bike with the help of four wheels instead of two. Did you talk to them about balance and show them how to move the handle bars to control the direction of the wheel?

Then the time came for removing the training wheels. Did you grab the seat and run along side the wobbly bike for a distance until you felt your child was balancing the bike on their own? What was it like to finally let go and watch that precious one take off? “Don’t be afraid,” you might have said. “I’ve given you everything you need to be successful. Be strong and courageous.”

Parents, spend time with your children. Read the Bible with them. Talk about what you are reading. Answer their questions. Show them what serving God looks like. Go to church with them and teach them reverence for God’s house. Because one day that child will get on that bike and ride away. He or she will walk out your door and head toward a life you can’t control.

My prayer is on that day, you’ll be able to say, “I’ve given you what you need. Now go do something amazing for the Lord. You will succeed if you carefully obey God. Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or discouraged.”

All That Glitters Is Not Gold

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1 Chronicles 12-15

What is the difference between worship God accepts, and worship God rejects?

Obedience.

It has nothing to do with the music or whether or not hands are raised and people are singing with smiles on their faces. Read about these two examples of identical expressions of worship. (13:8; 15:28)

Worship leaders, stop emphasizing the outward expressions of worship. Stop going for the emotion. Stop worrying about “Bubba” and worry more about whether or not God is accepting our worship. So many of you seem to try so hard to get people engaged. The question you should be asking is, “Is God engaged?”

I’ll tell you right now, He isn’t engaged with expressions of worship coming from unrepentant hearts. That kind of worship makes him sick. That kind of worship makes him angry. That kind of worship ends in death.

Just this morning I heard Josh Howerton, a young paster I respect, defend popular Christian singer, Brandon Lake who is being criticized for saying that when our worship services begin with “Holy, Holy, Holy,” Bubba can’t worship because he doesn’t understand what the song is saying. I guess these men believe we should dumb down our worship so the regular people are satisfied.

My question is: are we worshiping people or God, because I’m pretty sure God understands “Holy, Holy, Holy.”

Worship leaders, please spend more time preparing hearts to worship God. Talk about the importance of presenting clean hearts to the Lord before we sing a note. Talk about the danger of offering worship God can’t accept. (Think about Nadab and Abihu who tried to offer unauthorized fire to the Lord).The people sitting there in that room need to understand that offering worship God can’t accept not only makes God sick, it angers Him, and ends in death. Yes, dear worship leaders, you might be leading someone in that direction.

Worry less about the outward expression of worship and more about the holiness of the people who are there to worship. Worry less about generating an emotion and more about the Holy God to whom we offer our worship. Because God doesn’t accept counterfeit worship, no matter how good it looks or makes us feel.

All that glitters is not gold.

When I Die

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2 Kings 12-14

Elisha, one of the greatest Old Testament prophets, died and was buried. That’s all Scripture says about it. No fanfare. No public display of mourning recorded. Just he died and was buried.

That’s actually what I’d like my own passing to be.

Sometimes people go to great lengths planning their own funeral or celebration of life. Some write their own obit. Some spell out every song, every testimony, every moment. Some make demands about what to do with their ashes. If that’s you, I hope your loved ones follow through.

Other times a person’s loved ones will plan elaborate ceremonies and wakes or proper send-offs to honor the dead. I’m not saying that’s wrong, if that’s what you need.

I tell my family that if they want to have a service, that’s fine. If they don’t, that’s fine, too. I won’t be there!

More than a funeral or a celebration of life, this is how I want my passing to go: she died, and she was buried.

After Elisha was dead and buried, an Israelite was being buried when a raiding party showed up. In a panic, his friends threw the dead man’s body on Elisha’s bones – and the guy came alive!

My prayer is that after I’m gone, people I love will continue to be influenced by the life I led, the words I said, the choices I made, and the evidence of Christ in me. I pray that even after I’m gone, someone dead in their sin will find life because my life touched their’s for Jesus’ sake.

I pray that God will be glorified with every breath I take in this lifetime so that after this body dies, God will continue to be glorified through the memory of me.