Return to Me

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Return to Me

“Return to Me.”

God spoke these words throughout the Old Testament to His people when they strayed, and He still speaks them, through His Holy Spirit, to His people falling away today.

Turning or returning to the Lord has always been the cry of the Father’s heart for His children because He alone knows what is best for us.

He made us.

He made us for relationship with Him.

Our sin severed it.

His Son mended it.

He made a way to return to Him.

He saved us.

Without Him, we are nothing, we have nothing, and we can do nothing (of any value, worth, or eternal significance), but in Him…

“we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28)

“are glorious riches” (Ephesians 1:18)

“all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26)

It’s a chide we’ve heard throughout time.

“Return to Me.”

And it’s time, once again, to turn to Him, turn away from sin, return to Him, because His great love is more than enough to cover it all, carry it all, and take care of it all.

He loves us so much. Always has. Always will. His love knows no end, which is why He asks us again and again to return to Him.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” (Jeremiah 31:3, ESV)

“That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts...” (Joel 2:12 , NLT)

“‘O Israel,’ says the Lord, “if you wanted to return to me, you could. You could throw away your detestable idols and stray away no more.” (Jeremiah 4:1, NLT)

“I will give them hearts that recognize me as the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me wholeheartedly.” (Jeremiah 24:7, NLT)

“Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.’” (Zechariah 1:3, NLT)

“Return to Me.”

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 5: A Cure for Distrust

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Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily — Reason 5: A Cure for Distrust

June 5th. Day 5 of walking through “Reasons to Rehearse the Gospel Daily” — Part 1 of “A Gospel Primer for Christians” by Milton Vincent.

Today’s reason — A Cure for Distrust.

And about this reason to rehearse the gospel daily, Vincent says this...

“Every time I deliberately disobey a command of God, it is because I am in that moment doubtful as to God’s true intentions in giving me that command. Does He really have my best interest at heart? Or is He withholding something from me that I would be better off having? {Genesis 3: 4-6} such questions, whether consciously asked or not, lie underneath every act of disobedience.

However, the gospel changes my view of God’s commandments, in that it helps me to see the heart of the Person from whom those commandments come. When I begin my train of thought with the gospel, I realize that if God loved me enough to sacrifice His Son’s life for me, then He must be guided by that same love when He speaks His commandments to me. Viewing God’s commands and prohibitions in this light, I can see them for what they really are: friendly signposts from a Heavenly Father who is seeking to love me through each directive, so that I might experience His very fullness forever. {Deut. 5:29}

When controlling my thoughts as described above, the gospel cures me of my suspicion of God, thereby disposing me to walk more trustingly on the path of obedience to His commands.”

So, basically, when we disobey (choose to go our own way and ignore His), our less than obedient actions speak distrust to the most Trustworthy Person we will ever know! Oh the irony that feeds our hypocrisy. We can say we love the Lord all day long, but if we don’t obey His commands, do we really love Him? Do we really trust Him?

“If you love me, obey my commandments.” John‬ ‭14:15‬

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬

So, if you are struggling to trust Him, might I encourage you to rehearse the gospel daily. It is a proven cure for distrust. In a world full of voices vying for our attention and an enemy at large seeking to confuse our every intention, don’t place trusting men over God. Don’t believe those who do not love you over the One who loves you with an unending, unconditional love. Don’t just blindly believe what others say about God, believe what God says about Himself and discover how He has and will continue to prove it by promises and prophesies fulfilled.

Open the Word, read the gospel, rehearse it daily. It is the cure for distrust.

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Believing is Seeing

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Believing is Seeing

They say, “seeing is believing, “ and I’m sure you’re familiar with that old clichè, but let me caution you to not believe everything “they” say. Based on what I read in God’s Word, which is oftentimes quite contrary to what you hear from the world…


“Believing is seeing.”


What exactly does that mean, or better yet, how do you “believe” more consistently so you can “see” more clearly? I’m glad you asked! And if you asked (like I have, and still do, so often), it’s likely you’re currently having hard time “seeing“ God at work in your life. Am I right? Are the prayers you’re praying becoming mere whispers in the weariness of waiting?

If this is true and it describes you, don’t lose heart because you’re in the perfect place to start! Start believing God at His Word. Start trusting His promises. Start believing He’ll do what He says. Don’t you dare give up. We LIVE by believing. But don’t take my word for it, take His Word for it…



“For we live by believing and not by seeing.” 2 Corinthians 5:7


‬‬We regain our strength by holding on to hope, trusting in His timing, and believing He goes before us. He does the work, we simply trust and obey. Listen to Him and do things His Way.



If you are waiting to “see,” simply believe. I promise there is a reason for the wait, purpose in the perseverance, and blessing in the believing.



Believing is seeing, so keep believing His promises, and you’ll see His power and glory as He keeps doing what He says.



“Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?”” John‬ ‭11:40‬

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When Trials Try to Triumph Over Me...

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When Trials Try to Triumph Over Me...

When trials try to triumph over me,

whether an assault of the enemy

or the fault of my own iniquity,

I will trust in God’s Sovereignty.

In Christ alone I find true victory.


James 1:2-4 reminds us that trials WILL come.


It’s not an “if...then,” it’s a “when...then”


So WHEN they DO inevitably come, THEN this is what we DO...


(v. 2) we consider (NIV & NLT) or count (ESV) it pure (NIV), great (NLT), & all (ESV) JOY...


because the testing of our faith


(v. 3) produces perseverance (NIV), gives endurance a chance to grow (NLT), & produces steadfastness (ESV)


and in light of the victory,

Christ has already won for you and me,

our response to those trials should be...


Simply to embrace God’s grace in them

so He can finish the work He is doing through them.


“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” ~ James 1:4 (NIV)


“So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” ~ James 1:4 (NLT)


“And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” ~ James 1:4 (ESV)


Wow. It’s ALL for His glory and our growth, and ultimately, for our good. In order to grow and mature and lack nothing, God not only calls us to endure the trials we face, He also wants us to find joy in them, as we trust Him, knowing that only in and through Him can we triumph over them!


The enemy breeds enmity.

Enmity feeds our iniquity.

Our iniquity impedes our unity.


But God, in His Sovereignty,

because of his great love for you and me

waged war against the enemy,

paid the price for our iniquity,

made a way for true unity,

and claimed the ultimate victory.

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