We often find ourselves gripped by life and the feeling of hopelessness. We struggle with the fear of no answers....
The certainty of death changes the meaning of life. Psalm 49, in its proverbial wisdom, tells us that the rich have a false sense of security and perception of invincibility, but this psalm says: not so fast. There is a time limit on their power and influence, and it will fade away. This psalm is a needed reminder that our power and life on this earth are temporary....
We serve a God who desires the full attention of our soul, heart, and mind. Our souls long for the presence and refuge of our Creator. God has given us ways to experience His nearness through prayer and fasting....
Luke 22 contains moments of darkness, mystery, service, loneliness, violence, and compassion. However, the entire picture is a masterpiece of love....
Our life-giving shelter is not outside of God. We will never find refuge and protection in this world, our idols, or ourselves that indeed cause us to offer holy praises in celebration. We are meant to dwell within the fortress of God, and there we will find all that we need....
In the raucous classroom of life, Jesus stayed on task. He kept His focus. He remembered His mission. And He did this so that He could teach us to do the same and help us as an advocate when we fail....
Believers and unbelievers alike need to hear and see that our God not only provides good things, but He is goodness itself....
Biblical peace is more than just striving for the absence of conflict; it is taking action to restore true brokenness. The peace modeled by our Savior is more than a state of inner tranquility; it is a state of perfect wholeness and complete trust in God....
How would it feel not to have to worry about food, or shelter, or finances because a kind host has given you all you need? Our God is such a host....
Many believers move through the Christian life stagnant in their disciple-making as they have never been discipled themselves. We must uncover and address our hidden hearts, sins and struggles by opening ourselves to the Lord and the disciple-making process....
Christian, if they do not see it being lived out in our lives, then where will they see it? How is the love of Christ compelling you? ...
When will we get desperate for Him? In vulnerability, we must come before the Lord and ask the hard questions...
Although not all our hopes will be fulfilled as we believe they should, we can still choose an attitude of joy. ...
Nothing can be hidden from Him who sees all things. God's Word has the power to pierce through the darkness of our souls....
We are called to influence this world while we are here, but we must not hold on to this world or politics too tightly. ...
How does a person speak of all that comes in battle with a life-threatening disease? How do you respond to a life altering trial? ...
Does Jesus have your heart today? Are you running the race of life alone or have you asked the Lord to carry you?...
We cannot be at war with God and at peace with others, and we cannot be at war with others and be at peace with God....
Christians should be the most thankful people in the world, because we know what God has done for us....
During times of adversity, it is natural for us to complain. We are tempted to doubt God has our best in mind....
To wait means to stay or to rest with expectation. While in the “waiting room,” we are to stay active in prayer....
Psalm 46 reminds us that God is Creator and sustainer of all that was created. We can “cease striving”....
Nobody likes personal affliction, nobody looks for life crisis, yet none of us can avoid it. Only God can get us through....
Just the simple act of prayer is a conduit for grace. As we begin our prayers, we enter the Father’s presence....
Love and service: undoubtedly tied together in the mind of God as expectations for the saints....
When the weight of life seems too much and we feel desperate and hopeless, remind us Lord of your lovingkindness....
Take time to meditate on the pursuit of God for you and the servant He used to speak His grace to you...
Jesus models for us what a real humble servant does. His ministry on earth to show kindness to others....
No service is too humbling. This is truly our example of servanthood, a true display of what it looks like to be like Jesus....
Do you totally trust God with your future and direction? When we can do that and let that submission permeate our lives, there is fullness of joy and there are pleasures beyond our understanding....
Anxiety is so debilitating. It seems that everything around us in our culture; the national dialogue, politics, social media, is angry and anxious....
In Jesus' care, He carries with us the spiritual and emotional labor we can’t bear alone. He invites us into His humble care, where, in the gentleness of His yoke, He will be to us living water and the bread of life—sufficient even to the harsh extremes of life....
In hard times, stillness can be a blessing. Meditate on God’s goodness as you rest, though right now uncomfortably, in your secure sonship—He has caused you to be born again and His plan for you cannot be thwarted!...
We can neglect to see, and are often blind to, the reality that in the gospel God has invited us into His own life....
There are many voices crying out for our attention from the world in which we live. What voice should we listen to? ...
In the midst of all the uncertainties around us today, we can have confidence in this God. He hears, He remembers....
There are many voices crying out for our attention from the world in which we live. How do you know which voices to listen to?...
With finger-pointing, we’ve lost our ability to discuss issues and settle differences with civility and respect....
If God uses challenging circumstances to mold you, do you embrace those challenges or find it difficult to find joy? ...
Have you ever been around a control freak, that person who cannot allow anything to happen without their permission?...
I have often thought of myself as a peaceable person, but recently I have been challenged to think more about peacemaking. I recognize a potential fundamental difference between being peaceable and being a peacemaker as active outward steps, leading to the promotion of peace between people, or between people and God. ...
Brothers and sisters, we all experience those times when circumstances seem to rob us of all hope, as if there is no way we can survive the pain, loss, loneliness, or fear. Thankfully, we serve THE GOD OF ALL HOPE. If we find our joy and peace in believing His promises, we can live with hope by His power. Here are just a few of the promises God has given to believers, so that we can abound in hope:...
Are there any plans that you have today, that are not God’s plans? Psalm 63 reminds us that His steadfast love is better than life. In order to experience His plan, we have to acknowledge Him and lift up our hands to Him in worship, submitting our hearts and plans to Him. ...
Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Daily reading God’s Word, praying, and meditating should be our first line of ongoing pursuit of God and means of gaining wisdom....
In the raucous classroom of life, Jesus stayed on task. He kept His focus. He remembered His mission. And He did this so that He could teach us to do the same and help us as an advocate when we fail....
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