Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion (Psalm 103:2, 4 NASB)

Have you ever felt in danger of slipping into a pit? Maybe you feel like you have already landed in one — a pit of despair. In the jungle, hunters dig pits to catch lions and large prey. Our enemy, the devil, delights in sending us down into the pit. If he can’t secure our souls for the pit of hell, then the pit of despair is the next best thing. (Read More)

Larry and I were enjoying a brisk walk on a perfect October morning at the beach when we made a sharp turn to face the wind. We quickly pulled on our sweatshirts and squinted our eyes against the constant blowing.

James 4:6 came to mind; “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” When the wind was at our backs propelling us along, we were oblivious to its presence and benefit but after we turned to face it, it dominated our thoughts as it cut through our bodies, hindering our pace and dampening our pleasure.

The word oppose means to range in battle against or resist1. Whoa! I don’t want to be at war with God! (Read More)

Are you carrying a heavy load in your life? The weight of our concerns affects the pleasure and progress of our lives. There is, however, a heavy load that children of God often carry that though hard, is beneficial. This load comes from carrying our cross for Christ.

When we hit a stretch in our lives of hardship or heartache, mistreatment or unshielded adversity, then we likely have entered a season of carrying our personal cross for Christ (Matt. 10:38-39; Lk. 9:23-25). During this time we experience some of the pain that He endured for us. At Lighthouse, we help many dear people who stumble over this. Some question God’s love and protection while others feel invalid guilt or despair. Here are a few ideas to help us carry our cross.

Differentiate between a cross and a consequence.

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He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32

What do you need the Lord to provide for you–health, a job, wisdom, comfort, hope, patience…? Abraham needed a miracle. God tested him by telling him, “Take your son, your only son whom you love, Isaac” and offer him as a burnt offering. You don’t have to be a parent to grasp the intensity of this test. The tests that involve the ones we love most are the hardest.

Abraham passed the test and can show us how to pass our tests. Abraham believed God. He demonstrated his faith by preparing the wood for the sacrifice and set out early the next morning with Isaac on the journey to the place God had designated. (Read More)