2019-06-27 00:51
How you live before grief strikes will have a huge impact on your ability to deal with grief when it does hit you. I have helped several hundred families navigate grief immediately after the… Read More
Blog Directory > Spirituality Blogs > Religion Blogs > The Good Life religion Blog >
The Good Life Blog
goodlifeblog.blogspot.com
A devotional blog about the pursuit of living life the way God intended us to live.
2018-11-21 19:47
The holidays are once again upon us - you know, the next six weeks where we are supposed to be full of thanks, peace, love, good cheer, comfort, joy and happiness. No pressure there, right?… Read More
2018-04-07 14:14
In Exodus chapter 4 Moses is trying to convince God that he is not the right man to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. God had called him at the burning bush to go to Egypt and tell Pharaoh t… Read More
2018-04-04 15:02
Before the resurrection of Jesus, Peter was portrayed as a man who seemed to always get things wrong. He was hot-tempered, impetuous, and flaky. In one moment, he adamantly declares that he… Read More
2018-03-30 12:45
"For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" Romans 5:10 (N… Read More
2018-01-14 14:29
"If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal." 1 Corinthians 13:1 (ASV)As a life-long musician having worked with hu… Read More
2017-12-31 16:07
Life is full of changes. In fact, change is an inevitable part of life. Whether you and I embrace change or not will not stop the progress of change all around us. It is embedded into the fa… Read More
2017-12-24 14:15
"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke… Read More
2017-12-17 13:39
I was thinking about the birth of Jesus the other day. Not the way we normally think about it with the angels singing loudly and the magi bringing lavish gifts to the manger. I was thinking… Read More
2017-11-23 15:18
We gather together to give the Lord blessingAmong preparations of turkey and dressing.The thing we’re most thankful for on this holidayIs not just the blessings you give day to day-H… Read More
2017-11-22 13:47
"I will thank the LORD because he is just; I will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High." Psalm 7:17 The MessageWhen asked the question, "What are you most thankful for?" the respons… Read More
2017-10-24 14:31
Let me start off by saying that I am in no way opposed to Christians and Churches offering an alternative to Halloween such as Harvest Festivals, Trunk Or Treat, etc. In fact, I think we sho… Read More
2017-10-10 13:57
All of us deal with anxiety to some extent. Some more than others. It is difficult not to be anxious, especially in light of today's political climate, numerous natural disasters, mass shoot… Read More
2017-09-27 13:40
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (… Read More
2017-09-19 14:27
In Luke 6:45, Jesus makes this statement in the context of his teaching on our relationships with each other: "A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an ev… Read More
2017-09-09 13:49
The story of Peter in the Bible is a story of a man who experienced a radical, life-changing transformation. The man we first meet in the Gospels is not the same man we read about in the boo… Read More
2017-09-07 13:45
In my previous post we uncovered some popular myths about the concept of holiness and discovered that it is not something we do, but rather, who we are. We can not make ourselves holy. It is… Read More
2017-09-05 14:29
If you could ask one hundred people to list their top ten men of character, Billy Graham would most likely be on everyone's list. Why? Because he is one of the exceptions to modern-day leade… Read More
2017-09-02 13:07
"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will gi… Read More
2017-08-29 00:26
If you're tempted to criticize how the government (local, state or federal) is handling the hurricane aftermath or politicize the situation by blaming Trump, Democrats, Republicans, etc. - i… Read More
2017-08-23 11:26
Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; … Read More
2017-07-24 11:45
The key to a successful daily walk is found in a complete and accurate understanding of our salvation. Perhaps one reason why we fail in our walk with Jesus at times is because we have faile… Read More
2017-06-18 15:46
I think any Father would agree that the greatest gift we could ever receive is to see our children grow up to be happy, healthy and productive adults. My adult son has a real knack for givin… Read More
2017-05-27 16:21
One of my all-time favorite TV shows is Seinfeld. What fascinates me about this classic sitcom is how a show about nothing reveals the hidden absurdities of our American culture and way of l… Read More
2017-05-14 13:03
Shirley GoodIt has been almost 16 years now since my mother passed away. I miss her greatly, especially during Mother's Day. I miss being able to call her on the phone just to talk and I mis… Read More
2017-05-10 13:37
"Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous." - 1 Peter 3:8To be tenderhearted is the character quality that is s… Read More
2017-05-06 16:31
Paul demonstrates through his own life a model that we are to follow and emulate as followers of Christ. That model is living the crucified life. In Galatians 2:20 he says, "I have been cruc… Read More
2017-04-28 12:31
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where mo… Read More
2017-03-27 17:19
"He must become greater; I must become less." John 3:30 (NIV)I don't think it is an exaggeration to say that today's culture can be called the selfie generation. If you have never snapp… Read More
2017-03-17 11:28
Conflict is a fact of life. The sooner we accept that fact, the easier life will be. No one likes conflict. In fact, most of us exert a lot of time and energy avoiding it. This is not an eff… Read More
2017-03-12 14:56
A true artist doesn't create his masterpiece to make money, though that is always a welcome benefit. He creates it with the intention of presenting it as a gift to others for their enjoyme… Read More
2017-03-07 12:59
When God called Moses to go and lead His people to the Promised Land in Exodus 33, Moses replies in verses 15 and 16, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from… Read More
2017-02-28 02:31
I grew up in an Assemblies of God Pastor's home in a small mountain town in Northern California. I am a 3rd-generation Pentecostal and most recently have joined the staff of a non-denominati… Read More
2017-02-23 13:57
Several years ago I knew a man in his 40's, married with two teenage children, and a manager in a Fortune 500 company. This man was a very active member on the worship team of his church and… Read More
2017-02-20 15:30
My high school tennis coach taught me a valuable lesson. He said, "You will never get better unless you play against someone who is at least 2 levels above you." He was a very wise coach… Read More
2017-02-17 14:29
If there is one thing I have learned in my 30 years of marriage it is this--listen to your wife because she is usually right! It has taken me a while to learn this and I still sometimes… Read More
2017-02-01 14:35
I have to admit that the book of Psalms can be very difficult to read at times. David was a very complex young man. We know he was an artist who wrote hundreds of worship songs. He was a dee… Read More
2017-01-26 14:50
As I was reading Psalm 103 the other day I was struck by the phrase in verse 2 that says, "...and forget not all his benefits." I like how the New Living Translation says, "...may I never fo… Read More
2017-01-24 15:26
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 (KJV)Philippians 4:13 is one of the most misinterpreted scriptures. This one verse is used to encourage others to pu… Read More
2017-01-18 14:46
Work as a representative of God. This sounds simple, yet how many of us actually go to work with this mindset every day? What would happen if every morning before we went to work we prayed a… Read More
2017-01-08 13:38
I'm not much of a fan of Christian TV programs. I will say that not all preachers on TV are bad. I won't even go so far as to say that most of them are. They aren't, but it's the most vocal… Read More
2017-01-01 14:30
We have now begun a new year and we are full of anticipation of what lies ahead, of a fresh start and new horizons. Many, if not all, are already working hard to accomplish new resolutions… Read More
2016-12-24 17:21
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jew… Read More
2016-11-26 15:08
"Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise." Psalm 96:3-4 (NIV)There are 470 occurrences of the word "declar… Read More
2016-11-24 14:06
Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ then you shall say to them, ‘Because the waters of the Jorda… Read More
2016-11-19 16:42
"I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds." Psalm 9:1A sad reality of human nature is that those who have the most tend to be ungrateful an… Read More
2016-11-09 15:16
Here's a fact: You can't "turn off" darkness. Darkness is not something that you can turn on or off. The law of physics prove that darkness is simply the absence of light. That is why there… Read More
2016-11-05 09:00
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10There is a saying that goes, "If someone isn't mad at you, then you aren't doi… Read More
2016-11-04 12:17
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they will be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9This Beatitude goes right to the heart of our motivation in our relationships with other people. To be a pea… Read More
2016-11-03 09:00
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. - Matthew 5:8I mentioned in my last post that the last half of the Beatitudes deal with our relationships with others. Read verse eight… Read More
2016-11-02 11:38
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. - Matthew 5:7This is the fifth of the eight Beatitudes. The first half of the Beatitudes dealt with character traits manifested in our… Read More
2016-11-01 09:00
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. - Matthew 5:6This is one of the most profound of all the Beatitudes. On the surface, it seems rather simpl… Read More
2016-10-31 09:00
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. - Matthew 5:5The word meek is a misunderstood word. In today's culture a meek man would be viewed as someone who let's peopl… Read More
2016-10-30 09:00
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4This second Beatitude is not about the act of weeping and wailing, but a deliberate lifestyle choice. I'm sure you know… Read More
2016-10-29 13:55
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 5:3This is the first of what is called "The Beatitudes". The Beatitudes are not a list of things to do so we ca… Read More
2016-10-23 14:35
As I read the book of 1 Samuel, I am discovering new insights I have never seen before. In chapter three I have noticed a few key points. #1 - The word of the Lord and visions were rare… Read More
2016-10-18 15:55
"Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23:6 (NIV)The 23rd Psalm ends on the same note that it started-God… Read More
2016-10-17 13:41
You can't lead with conviction until you first live a life ruled by your convictions. Your life isn't shaped by how you lead, but rather, your leadership is shaped by how you live. Leadershi… Read More
2016-10-02 13:44
In chapter 13 of the book of Numbers the Lord commanded Moses to send some men to explore the land of Canaan which he had promised to give them. So they gathered a group of men, including Jo… Read More
2016-09-25 14:22
"Trust in the Lord with 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 (NIV)Nik Wallenda is perhaps… Read More
2016-09-14 13:23
As I read the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 recently something jumped out at me that I had never seen before. I have read this many times and have always read it as a story about a man… Read More
2016-08-31 12:45
In 1984 I was fresh out of Bible college, just 21 years old and ready to take on the world for Jesus. I had spent four hard years and thousands of dollars earning a degree. I was hired as a… Read More
2016-08-29 02:02
One of my favorite stories in the Bible is the story of Moses taking his shoes off at the burning bush in Exodus 3. When God told him to take his shoes off, he wasn't confronting him about h… Read More
2016-08-25 12:49
"Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls." 1 Peter 2:11 (NLT)Peter uses a phrase… Read More
2016-08-24 15:24
Thirty years ago I asked my wife to marry me. We had been very close friends for several months and spent a lot of time together before we decided to start dating. Before we were married I a… Read More
2016-08-19 13:10
Do you ever suddenly realize that you are stuck in a rut and wonder how you got there? We all do from time to time. Ruts are part of being human, and most of them are pretty harmless, but so… Read More
2016-08-14 15:12
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. (Psalm 84:11)According to Merri… Read More
2016-08-07 16:26
In chapter 12 of the book of Genesis we are introduced to Abraham at the age of 75. God tells Abraham, "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show… Read More
2016-07-31 15:00
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)Living life in the reality of this verse does not come easy and it does not come naturally to us. It is a process that is develop… Read More
2016-07-29 20:45
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." Psalm 23:5 (NIV)Probably the most difficult task I face as a past… Read More
2016-07-12 13:33
How are you feeling today? I don't mean physically, but emotionally? It is increasingly difficult to stay emotionally positive in the world we live in. All you have to do is watch the news… Read More
2016-07-10 21:25
As a white person I have never been discriminated against because of the color of my skin. I have only ever been pulled over by the police twice in the 53 years I've been alive and both time… Read More
2016-07-09 13:25
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)Everyone faces problems, difficulties and obstacles in life. Circumstances that se… Read More
2016-07-07 14:42
"Finally, all of you must live in harmony, be sympathetic, love as brothers, and be compassionate and humble." 1 Peter 3:8 (Internation Standard Version)I wonder if one of the main reasons w… Read More
2016-07-04 00:08
If there was a way that you could become the kind of employee that your company couldn’t afford to lose, would you do it? Of course you would. I think all of us have that one personal… Read More
2016-06-24 12:57
All of us at times feel overwhelmed by circumstances around us. During times of difficulty and trials Satan will try to sneak up on us and whisper lies into our ear and say things like, "If… Read More
2016-06-19 13:23
I have been thinking about my Dad a lot lately. He passed away 15 years ago and would have been 84 years old today. He taught me a lot and passed down a spiritual legacy that I am committed… Read More
2016-06-07 13:53
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13The con… Read More
2016-05-29 13:31
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)One of my greatest fears about the youth of our country is that they are not being taught what a tru… Read More
2016-05-15 14:09
I am fascinated by the story of Moses. When I read about him I don't see the Charlton Heston version. I see a common man that struggled with fear and insecurity who constantly tried to talk… Read More
2016-04-24 16:43
I find it ironic that as we live in the Information Age our culture is becoming increasingly confused. We have instant access to information on just about any subject with just a simple Goog… Read More
2016-04-09 20:56
This year my wife and I will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. I must say that I am no expert on marriage. I have read countless books on marriage, attended marriage seminars, and have… Read More
2016-04-04 13:53
I wonder if my parents were closet germ-a-phobes. Praying before our meal was not the first thing we did when we gathered at the dinner table. That came much later. First came the hand inspe… Read More
2016-04-03 14:02
“God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" Numbers… Read More
2016-03-31 15:14
"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." 1 Corinthians 13:1My current job requires driving different vehi… Read More
2016-03-29 14:12
Nehemiah was given a challenge by God to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the walls and gates of the city that still lay in ruins. The Temple had been rebuilt and was back in operation, and… Read More
2016-03-26 14:07
As the sun rises from the east tomorrow morning Christians will begin celebrating Easter--the literal, physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Easter is what our faith is all ab… Read More
2016-03-21 00:40
Psalm 23 is undoubtedly the most well known chapter in the entire Bible. I can think of no other verses that are quoted more. The words of this chapter have brought great comfort to many in… Read More
2016-03-19 17:09
The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”&nb&hell…Read More
2016-03-17 14:04
I have noticed a large number of Twitter, Facebook and Blog posts mentioning the concept of character. Most of it is good stuff, but I have to say that there is a lot that is just dead wrong… Read More
2016-03-15 20:00
Dr. Phil, the TV Psychologist/Talk Show Host, is well known for a phrase that is parodied quite often. That phrase is a question he asks his guests that goes something like this--"What were… Read More
2016-03-07 13:48
Gregg Popovich is one of the most successful basketball coaches of our time. As the Head Coach of the San Antonio Spurs, he has five NBA championships, has been awarded NBA Coach of the Year… Read More
2016-03-07 01:44
Nothing interrupts life quite like grief. It has a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it. When it hits, you feel like you have been punched in the gut and then hit over the head… Read More
2016-03-07 01:43
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want." Psalm 23:1 (NIV)The death of a parent, spouse or child is nothing short of a catastrophic loss. On this side of eternity, death feels so fi… Read More
2016-03-07 01:43
"He makes me lie down in green pastures." Psalm 23:2aDavid is a master at painting word pictures, especially in this Psalm. There is such depth contained in his words that I could write volu… Read More
2016-03-07 01:42
"He leads me beside the still waters, he restores my soul." Psalm 23:2b-3One of the hardest aspects of losing a loved one is the fact that life will never be the same again. As I have said b… Read More
2016-03-07 01:41
The Christian life does not happen automatically. To be successful requires that we grow daily, and that requires that we be diligent in developing a strong foundation on which we can build… Read More
2016-03-07 01:41
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4 (NKJV)It is easy… Read More
2016-03-07 01:40
The first daily essential from yesterday's post was Relationship. It is crucial that we remember that the Christian life is not something we do, it's who we are and relationsh… Read More
2016-03-07 01:40
Relationship and Prayer. Like these first two, the third essential does not come automatically. It must be developed and nurtured and developed as a lifestyle choice, not an action tha… Read More
Subscribe to The Good Life
Get updates delivered right to your inbox!