May 8, 2026 | Spiritual Growth
Even though we are Christians and have eternal life, we all will experience trouble. However, we have God’s promise that He will comfort us when we encounter difficult times. Second Corinthians 1:3-4 say, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
Comfort means to soothe, console, or strengthen; to relieve or ease someone’s pain. Note that God will comfort us in “all” our troubles, regardless of whether they are physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. That word “all” lets us know that no matter how dire the circumstances appear to be, God is still able to give us relief.
God comforts us in our troubles because He is the “Father of compassion.” Compassion is being aware of someone’s suffering, then being moved enough to take action to alleviate it. When we undergo trials, let us remember that God knows what we are going through and, because of His love, He will comfort us in the midst of our situation.
These verses tell us that we are to respond to God’s comfort in two ways. First, we should praise Him. There are many ways to praise God, but in this context, praising God means to acknowledge that the comfort we have came from Him and to thank Him for it.
Our second response to God’s comfort is to assist others. Once God strengthens us, He wants to use us to help ease the pain of someone else who may be having a tough time. We can help comfort others by telling them how God consoled us and letting them know that He can do the same for them.
Your testimony of how God comforted you may be just what your family member, friend, or co-worker needs to hear to help them look to God for relief in their trials. Keep your eyes and ears open to see who God might want you to help comfort today.
When was the last time you experienced God’s comfort, and how did He comfort you? Tell me in the comments.
May 8, 2026 | God's Word
AI (artificial intelligence) applications are becoming more and more popular. It seems like whenever someone has a question about something, they go to an AI application to get the answer, then they treat that answer like it is the absolute truth.
AI has many benefits, so I am not against it. However, the problem I have is that we sometimes put more trust and confidence in what AI says than we do in what the Word of God says. In Matthew 4:4, Jesus said, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” We can live without AI—we did so for centuries. However, we absolutely cannot live the way God wants us to live without His Word.
Artificial intelligence is just that—artificial, which means it was created by fallible human beings. Since AI was made by imperfect people, it can make mistakes. One AI application, ChatGPT, has a warning that says, “ChatGPT can make mistakes. Check important info.” In other words, we need to fact-check the information we get from AI applications.
In contrast, we don’t have to fact-check what the Word of God tells us. God does not make mistakes, so what He says is reliable. Psalm 19:7 states, “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” God’s Word is perfect and we can depend on it—no fact-checking needed!
The information we get from AI applications can help us from an earthly, temporary perspective (after we verify that what it said is accurate!). However, the Word of God can help us from a spiritual, eternal perspective. If you want an exercise program to build muscle, a diet program to lose weight, or step-by-step instructions on how to repair an automobile malfunction, ask AI. But if you want to know how to have peace in the middle of your troubles, how to forgive someone who has wronged you, or how to live with God forever through faith in Jesus Christ, you must go to the Word of God.
Most of us who use AI will faithfully follow the advice it gives us. But when we read the Bible and God tells us to do something, we sometimes struggle to obey Him. If we trust what AI says and act on it, how much more should we trust what God says and act on it?
Psalm 18:30 tells us, “As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless.” Knowing God is perfect and His Word is flawless, why is it sometimes difficult to do what He says? Tell me in the comments.
May 8, 2026 | God's Blessings
This is the final installment of my 5-part series on the privileges that come with membership in the family of God. The greatest membership benefit we have as believers is eternal life! Romans 6:23 (NCV) says, “The payment for sin is death. But God gives us the free gift of life forever in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Let me summarize this benefit like this: We deserved the worst (hell), but God gave us the best (heaven)! (more…)
Apr 1, 2026 | God's Word
This is part 4 of my 5-part series on the privileges that come with membership in the family of God. Another membership benefit we have as believers is the Word of God, the Bible. The Bible was written by men who were inspired by God, which means they wrote what God wanted them to write. Second Timothy 3:16 (NASB) states, “All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness.”
God’s primary way of speaking to us is through His Word. That means we can hear from our Heavenly Father simply by reading the Bible. As His children, we should have a genuine desire to hear what God has to say. Jesus emphasized the necessity of reading God’s Word when He said, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). (more…)
Mar 22, 2026 | Spiritual Growth
This is part 3 of my 5-part series on the privileges that come with membership in the family of God. The membership benefit I want to talk about today is that we, as believers, have the support of other Christians.
While God promised He would always be with us, He did not intend for His people to go through life alone. Therefore, one of the privileges of membership in God’s family is that we have a countless number of spiritual brothers and sisters to walk with us. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 say, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” (more…)
Mar 10, 2026 | Obey God
This is part 2 of my 5-part series on the privileges that come with membership in the family of God. The membership benefit I want to talk about today is that we, as believers, have the “ultimate Helper” in the Person of the Holy Spirit.
Why do we need a Helper? Let’s face it—living a life that pleases God is hard. We sometimes give in to the temptations we face. We do what we want to do instead of obeying God. We choose our will over His will. God knew that we could not live godly, obedient lives on our own, so He gave us the Holy Spirit to help us. (more…)
Feb 24, 2026 | Prayer
As a member of a club or organization, there are benefits that go along with being a part of that group. For example, if you are a member of a travel club, you get discounted rates on hotel stays and rental cars. If you are a member of a fitness club, you get the use of their exercise equipment, free classes, and, in some cases, personalized training.
Well, from a spiritual perspective, there are some amazing benefits that we enjoy as a result of being a member of God’s family through faith in Jesus Christ. This is part 1 of my 5-part series on the privileges that come with membership in the family of God. (more…)
Sep 20, 2025 | Spiritual Growth
Traffic signs are designed to regulate, warn, and guide drivers. However, these signs can also teach us some important spiritual lessons. This is part 5 of my 5-part series on “Lessons from a Traffic Sign.” You can find links to the other parts of the series at the end of this post.
Today, I want to discuss the “No Parking” sign, which identifies areas where you cannot legally park your car. Your car is parked when it is stopped and no longer moving. From a spiritual perspective, when you are parked, you have stopped growing in the Lord; you are at a standstill spiritually; you are no longer making progress toward becoming a stronger believer. The “No Parking” sign reminds us that as Christians, we should never stop growing spiritually.
The Bible tells us that we should continue to grow and progress in our walk with the Lord. Second Peter 1:5-8 state, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Here are a few activities that will help you grow spiritually:
- Read the Bible daily.
- Attend church regularly.
- Participate in a small group Bible study (like Sunday school).
- Pray for God to help you apply His Word to your life.
- Volunteer and serve in a ministry at your church.
There is no parking as a Christian! Continue to make progress as you grow to be the spiritually mature believer God wants you to be. What will you commit to do to make sure you are not parked in your spiritual growth? Tell me about it in the comments.
Links to other parts of this series:
Sep 8, 2025 | Spiritual Growth
Traffic signs are designed to regulate, warn, and guide drivers. However, these signs can also teach us some important spiritual lessons. This is part 4 of my 5-part series on “Lessons from a Traffic Sign.” You can find links to the other parts of the series at the end of this post.
Today, I want to discuss the “Stop” sign, which instructs drivers to bring their vehicles to a complete stop and to proceed only when it is safe to do so. Spiritually, the stop sign tells you that there are some things you should stop doing according to the Word of God. For example, when you see a stop sign, it should remind you to…
- STOP worrying. In Philippians 4:6-7, we are commanded not to worry about anything, but to pray about everything: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” What are you worried about today? I encourage you to take your concerns to God in prayer, trust Him to take care of the situation, and receive His peace.
- STOP thinking only about yourself. Philippians 2:3-4 state, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” The people around you have needs that God has given you the resources and ability to meet. As you go through your day, keep your eyes open for someone who you can help, uplift, and encourage.
- STOP trying to be your own boss. In Luke 6:46, Jesus said, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” If Jesus Christ is your Lord, that means He is your Master; He is the One who tells you what to do. Stop trying to run your own life; instead, willingly submit yourself to His Lordship and to the authority of God’s Word.
What are some things you need to stop doing so your life can be more aligned with God’s Word? Let me know in the comments.
Links to other parts of this series:
Aug 18, 2025 | Spiritual Growth
Traffic signs are designed to regulate, warn, and guide drivers. However, these signs can also teach us some important spiritual lessons. This is part 3 of my 5-part series on “Lessons from a Traffic Sign.” You can find links to the other parts of the series at the end of this post.
Today, I want to discuss the “Yield” sign, which indicates that drivers must give way to other traffic, including pedestrians, already in or approaching an intersection. Essentially, the yield sign tells drivers to give up the right of way to others. Spiritually, the yield sign reminds us to give up what we want to do and prioritize God’s will over ours. In Luke 22:42, Jesus said, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Like Jesus, we should willingly give the right of way of our lives to God and do His will, not our own. That means we should allow His desires to take precedence over our desires. We should seek to do what pleases God, not what pleases us.
We must read God’s Word regularly to know what God desires and what pleases Him. Then, once we know what God wants us to do, we yield to God’s way by doing what He commands. James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
I pray that from now on, when we see a yield sign, it will encourage us to yield to God’s way and do His will every moment of every day.
What obstacles make it difficult for you to yield to God’s way and obey His Word? Tell me about it in the comments.
Links to other parts of this series:
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