Meditation: Psalm 52:7-9

But I am like an olive tree
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God’s unfailing love
for ever and ever.

I will praise you forever for what you have done;
in your name I will hope, for your name is good.
I will praise you in the presence of your saints.

The Orphan Spirit

I’ve heard several people mention “the orphan spirit” lately. While I don’t like calling everything wrong with us a spirit, I understand the purpose behind it and can at least engage the term in dialogue.

What is an orphan spirit? It’s a lifestyle, attitude, and belief that one is unloved, unworthy of love, unlikely to receive love, and all alone. People with this attitude are typically a drain on others. They have a victim mentality most of the time and simply expect less than what God has promised.

Is that you? For that matter, is that me?

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Friends with Sinners

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples. – Matthew 9:10

That’s amazing. I don’t know many hardcore sinners who would consider hanging out with most Christians. What was it about Jesus that drew so many people to Him? How was Jesus so different from us?

Yes, He was the Son of God, but He limited Himself to humanity and walked only in the power of the Holy Spirit. He said only what He heard the Father say and did only what He saw the Father do.

Father, I have not been a man sinners would love to spend time with. I’ve lacked the love and compassion that moved Your Son Jesus. I choose to repent of criticizing people and selfishly caring more about my own comfort than loving others who desperately need You. Fill me with the power of Your Holy Spirit. Renew my mind so that I will think like Jesus, love like Jesus, and talk like Jesus.

Thank You for Your goodness.

More Than You Can Ask or Imagine

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

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Love Wisdom

There are at least three places in Proverbs where we are told to love wisdom. It must be important, right? Rather than reading several more paragraphs about what I think about loving wisdom, let’s take a few minutes, read over each passage a few times, and ask the Holy Spirit what He’s trying to say to us today.

He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers. – Proverbs 19:8

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. – Proverbs 4:6

A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth. – Proverbs 29:3

What Makes You Think Your Prayers Work?

As I wrote my last post, I heard my own soul asking a question I expect some of you will have: “How do you know that your prayer will be answered? What makes you sure it’s the right way to pray?”

Let’s look at Scripture:

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5

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