John 4:34 “’My food,’ said Jesus, ‘is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.’” Nothing matters more than being in God’s will. It sustains. It nourishes. It satisfies. I had spent the last few days writing at a cottage on Lake Erie, Continue Reading…
Acts 20:24 “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me….” A group of Indians were walking by Mother Teresa when they saw her hugging a leper. One of the men commented, “I wouldn’t Continue Reading…
Psalm 150:1,6 “Praise the Lord….Praise the Lord.” (NIV) It begins and ends with identical sentences. The word praise reoccurs in each of its six verses. In fact, praise is used thirteen times in this brief exhortation. Described as the “final great hallelujah,” Psalm 150 is considered by many to Continue Reading…
Proverbs 15:13 “A happy heart makes the face cheerful….” People. All kinds of people: Lonely people. Displaced people. Beautiful people. But there’s one group that I think we should hear more of: friendly people. We too easily overlook the impact of friendliness. A man waves you to go in Continue Reading…
Jeremiah 12:5 “If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?” Christians have been taking a lot of hits lately… Religious groups Continue Reading…
Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” All things? What about injustice? Temptation? Disappointment? I’ve been struck recently with how often God uses people’s weaknesses to ultimately bring about his purposes. Continue Reading…
Acts 3:6 “Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’” He had been a cripple for over forty years. He depended on others to literally carry him every day to his Continue Reading…
Mark 9:24 “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’” I believe! Help my unbelief! I wish those words—those polar opposite words—weren’t reflective of my own experience with faith. How can both be true? The footnote in my Bible says, “Since faith is never Continue Reading…
Matthew 15:28 “Then Jesus answered, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” She came like a dog, begging Jesus for a morsel of mercy. She broke all the rules. This woman. This Gentile. But she was desperate. Her daughter Continue Reading…
Colossians 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” I was on my two-mile walk the other morning when I witnessed something that caused a double-take. A Continue Reading…