Category Archives: Discernment

“This Is Good!”

A king in Africa had a close friend who had a habit of looking at any situation and proclaiming, “This is good!” One day, as the two were hunting, the friend had the job of loading the king’s gun. Unfortunately, … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Balance, Comfort, Complaining, Contentment, Death, Decisions, Depression, Disappointment, Discernment, Divorce, Divorce & Remarriage, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, Friendship, God's Foreknowledge, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Grace, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Restoration, Sickness, Suffering, Thankfulness, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Making Music Out of All the Noise

Famed American composer/pianist George Gershwin was standing on a crowded beach talking to a friend. The waves were crashing into the shoreline. Other people were engaged in conversations. A nearby merry-go-round was operating in full volume. Venders were trying to … Continue reading

Posted in Belief, Brokenness, Choices, Commitment, Decisions, Discernment, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faith, God's Omnipotence, God's Omnipresence, God's Guidance, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Work, Human Life, Music, Peace, Prayer, Priorities, Problems, Restoration, Salvation, Submission, Suffering, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Problem with Trying to Please Everybody

Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. (Genesis 5:24, N.I.V.) By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death. “He could not be found, because God … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Choices, Commitment, Contentment, Courage, Criticism, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Humility, Obedience, Persecution, Priorities, Problems, Service, Spiritual Warfare, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fighting on God’s Side

Haman had it all. Persia’s powerful king, Ahasuerus, had advanced him above all of Persia’s other princes (Esther 3:1). Ahasuerus had even decreed that whenever Haman was inside the gate of the royal grounds, all of Ahasuerus’ servants were to … Continue reading

Posted in Choices, Church, Complaining, Criticism, Decisions, Discernment, Family, God's Will, Leadership, Marriage, Parenting, Politics, Problems, Revenge, Sports, Work | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shaking the Dust Off Your Feet

“And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Business, Change, Choices, Church Attendance, Commitment, Decisions, Disappointment, Discernment, Evangelism, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Ministry, Obedience, Problems, Service, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

What Satan Does to the Ministry: Disguise

“The Wiles of the Devil” series (post #18) For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising … Continue reading

Posted in Angels, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Deception, Demons, Discernment, Doctrine, Evangelism, God's Word, God's Work, Heaven, Hell, Ministry, Missions, Preaching, Salvation, Satan, Series: "The Wiles of the Devil", Spiritual Warfare, The Devil, The Gospel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Satan Did to Paul: A Thorn in the Flesh

“The Wiles of the Devil” series (post #13) And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Angels, Commitment, Demons, Discernment, Faith, Grace, Humility, Persecution, Prayer Requests, Problems, Satan, Series: "The Wiles of the Devil", Sickness, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, Temptation, The Devil, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What Satan Did to Jesus: Temptation

“The Wiles of the Devil” series (post #8) Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. (Matthew 4:1, N.K.J.V.) Hebrews 4:15 says that Jesus was tempted in all the ways that … Continue reading

Posted in Angels, Demons, Discernment, God's Will, Satan, Series: "The Wiles of the Devil", Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, The Devil | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What Satan Did to David: Provocation

“The Wiles of the Devil” (post #6) And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. (1 Chronicles 21:1, K.J.V.) Ask the average Christian to name the greatest mistake of King David’s life and the answer you’ll … Continue reading

Posted in Angels, Belief, Choices, Deception, Decisions, Discernment, God's Will, Satan, Series: "The Wiles of the Devil", Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, The Devil | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Satan Did to Michael: Disputation

“The Wiles of the Devil” series (post #5) Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (Jude … Continue reading

Posted in Discernment, Rebellion, Satan, Series: "The Wiles of the Devil", Spiritual Warfare, Submission, Temptation, The Devil | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment