Morning Musings: John 14:26

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”  (ESV – Read the chapter)

Living the life of Christ day-in-and day-out is a tall order.  It’s a huge task.  If we let it, the thought that we are to live each day following after the pattern of Christ and doing what He said can be an overwhelming thought.  If we think about it in the wrong way, it can leave us wondering whether it’s really all worth it.  How are we supposed to do this on our own? Read the rest…

Morning Musings: Romans 8:28

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  (NIV – Read the chapter)

This verse is one of the single biggest clichés in the Scriptures.  We hear it often as a way to justify practically anything.  If something bad happens, well, God will work it out for good.  If something good happens, see, Paul was right.  If something good doesn’t happen quickly after something bad, well, we must not love Him very well.  If tragedy strikes, God can still bring good out of this even though you can’t imagine what it could be.  Clichés! Read the rest…

Morning Musings: Isaiah 55:7

“…let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”  (ESV – Read the chapter)

I love the last part of this.  When our God pardons us from our sins, we are not just barely forgiven.  He “abundantly pardons” us.  God doesn’t just say, “Well, you didn’t really measure up, but I’ll let you slide in just under the radar.”  No, He wipes our sins away as far as the east is from the west.  He forgives us completely and we are able to stand perfectly clean in His sight. Read the rest…