Author: Dwight Clough

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will. — Romans 12:2Suppose we could lose our appetite for junk food and only desire foods that nourished your body and made it strong. In the same way, God’s transformation changes your desires. Trying to obey God without inner transformation is a pain, to tell you the truth. But, after transformation, it is a complete joy because God’s desires become your…

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will. — Romans 12:2How do you experience God’s peace?I used to get frustrated with other drivers when I was driving in heavy traffic. Now I relax and enjoy the ride. We have a friend who was terrified of thunderstorms. Now she goes outside and enjoys the show. My wife and I used to argue until three in the morning over issues…

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will. — Romans 12:2Until our minds are renewed, we cannot approve of God’s will. God’s boundaries will seem restrictive and confining. God’s motives will be called into question. God’s ways will seem outdated or cruel. God’s sovereignty will seem distant and remote and uncaring.Why is this?It is because we cannot see clearly and we cannot think straight with an unrenewed mind.…

He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved. — Psalm 104:5Sometimes it’s nice to remember that we are dealing with a big God. Why does God give us problems that are too big for us to handle? Because He wants to be part of our lives. He wants to engage. The problem is a tiny thing compared to His abilities. In an instant, it could be gone. But He measures out His love over time. So every problem is an invitation to invite God in and see what only He can do.Be encouraged!Dwight Dwight Clough is…

The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers … — Acts 12:6When I was a young man, I tried to figure out what made people spiritual. Were you spiritual if you breathed "amen" and "hallelujah" aloud during prayer meetings? Were you spiritual if you smiled and said, "praise the Lord" whenever anyone paid you a compliment? Were you spiritual if you were at church every time the door was open?The answer eluded me, as you can guess from the way I was asking the question. But here in the passage we see…

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. — Philippians 4:8Sometimes it helps to remember the truth.For example, you and I each have plenty enough money. We are sons and daughters of the King. We are here on the King’s business, operating on an expense account He created for us. We have all we need to do every good work He has assigned to us.We may have problems, but they just can’t keep up with God’s solutions. If our problem…

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. — Romans 7:15We know but we don’t do. We know God doesn’t want His people to be alcoholics, yet some cannot seem to escape alcohol. We know that God wants us morally pure, yet some cannot give up impure thoughts or relationships. I could keep going with examples and sooner or later I would list something that identifies you and that identifies me.What’s wrong with us? Why are we so helpless?Let me suggest to you that knowing…

… they treated you as enemies when they deceived you … — Numbers 25:18The enemies of God’s people were looking for a way to destroy Israel. War didn’t work. Sihon and Og fought against Israel and lost everything. Strike one. Since they couldn’t fight them, they tried a different strategy: cursing them. It seemed like a cheap but effective solution. Get Balaam to curse Israel. But that didn’t work either. You know the story — God sent an angel, the donkey’s mouth was opened, and Balaam blessed instead of cursing. Strike two.The enemies had no intention of striking out, so…

Make room for us in your hearts. — 2 Corinthians 7:2The apostle Paul didn’t drive a fancy car. He didn’t have a limo pick him up at the airport. Read through the New Testament — in many ways he was unimpressive. People slept through his sermons. Some mistook him for the sidekick, the entertainment before the main act. If he were around today, I doubt he would get much slick magazine coverage. I expect many would ignore him altogether.Sure, the Lord did miracles through him, but, when he went to defend himself, he barely mentions the dozens (probably hundreds) of…

God is not a man that He should lie … — Numbers 23:19Here we have one of the fundamental differences between God and man. If we make a promise, we don’t entirely know if we will keep it. When God makes a promise, you can depend on Him to fulfill it. If we make a judgment, our interpretation may be skewed by what we don’t know or understand. When God makes a judgment, it is 100% objective. Put enough pressure on us, and we might bend the truth a little to get out of a tight spot. You can’t back…