When people go to a cookie jar, they expect to find a cookie. How disappointing it is to find it empty! When people go to you for something, do they find an empty cookie jar? Do you have inside of you what is needed for their refreshment, renewing or restoration? Or, like the empty cookie jar, you are just “painted” on the outside as a Christian?

We are lacking and empty and far from what God is, but your jar can be full, so to speak, full of Him, if you let Him. 1 John 1:5, “…God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.” When people come to you, let them find your cookie jar full of His holiness and not your emptiness!




[Scripture References: Isaiah 6:3; Ecclesiastes 8:11, 9:3; Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 23:25; Mark 7:21; Hebrews 3:12; 2 Peter 2:14; Romans 8:7; Colossians 1:21, 2:18; Titus 1:15]

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All throughout the Bible, it reiterates the truth that Jesus Christ gives you life. Believing it doesn’t make it so…God saying it makes it so!

I am reminded of the example a teacher once used where he showed his students two eggs. To the naked eye, they were exactly the same, but one of them was fertilized (it had “life” in it); the other was just a yolk (potential for life, but it had not been fertilized). The teacher explained that once the egg with life in it ceased being an egg, it would be reborn into something quite different, even glorious in comparison…a “new creature”. The other would just perish.

God said that those who have His life in them (Jesus) shall be saved and forever dwell with Him as a “new creature”. So you see, no eggs can go to heaven, only chickens!

[Scripture References: Romans 3:23-35; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 3:1-3]

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We all have been in situations that we needed help getting out of. Many of us are in some right now. Whom we turn to, or even if we stubbornly try to self-rescue, can be a life mistake.

Can you give yourself CPR? Let me see you do your own chest compressions! It’s not going to work, is it? So we call 911 and pray they send someone who knows what they are doing and in time before it is too late.

Are you in a place where your heart is turning hard and you can see nothing for you in the way of hope? Caring rescue is there, and it is close. Contact is not made by dialing 911, but by calling out to the one that loves you – not only now, but for all of time, the past, present, and the future. Call on Jesus. Because of His love, we are and can be, forever saved.

[Scripture References: Psalm 30:1-4; Psalm 31:1-5; Luke 23:46; Acts 7:59; Psalm 31:21-24; John 17:20-26; 1 Timothy 2:4]

We are living in a time of a tremendous spiritual warfare, and Satan is unrelenting in his efforts to suppress the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is nothing new for he was there in the Garden of Eden lying to and deceiving Adam and Eve into eating the forbidden fruit even though they knew God’s word and truth, for it was hidden in their hearts. Satan lied to them about what God really said and they “took the bait” of deception.

Romans 1:18 says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” Suppress here means to “hold it captive” and “hold it down.”

Romans 1:19 goes on to say, “…because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.”  God made it visible, understandable, clear, plain, known, and spread abroad in their very being.

God’s truth is innate, possessed at birth, inherent, remains fixed, and intrinsic within mankind. However, Satan’s mission is to kill, steal, and destroy the mighty work and plan of God. (See 1 Peter 5:8)

Remember, knowing who and what you stand for will limit who and what you fall for.

Perhaps there have been times when you have been on the mountaintop with Jesus and were reluctant to come down to the everyday grind of life in the valley below. As Christians, we must remember that Jesus has given us the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to be a very present help in time of need regardless of our circumstances.

Jesus brought Peter, James and his brother, John, to a high mountain by themselves, and He was transfigured there before them. Jesus' face shone like the sun, and His garments became white as light. Moses and Elijah appeared and were talking with Jesus. God spoke out of a cloud and said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." (Matthew 17:5)

What an experience on the mountain they must have had. Peter said, "Lord, it is good for us to be here." (Matthew 17:1-13) We can only imagine their profound joy and trembling at the same time. However, it came time for them to come down and continue their journey of faith where they were hammered, forged and transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. (Romans 12:2)

We must allow the King of glory to direct our every step and show us the more perfect way. The spiritual and physical landscape will be threatening and ominous at times, but nothing is impossible with our God of Miracles.

David said, "Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle...The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory."  (Psalm 24:7-10)

Is the King of glory having His way with you on mountains high or valleys deep?