Luke 4:14 “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit….” The temptation Jesus encounters after his baptism sounds like a sword fight—a duel more profound than any graphic arts designer could capture, even with the finest visual effects possible… Satan begins by wielding his blade of doubt… If you Continue Reading…
I Peter 1:23 “ For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” I can never change. It’s just who I am. I’m stuck. Have you ever heard people say those words? Maybe even thought them about yourself? Traps of inevitability Continue Reading…
Luke 6:37-38 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.” Money, resources, Continue Reading…
Psalm 142:2 “I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.” Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! That bids me from a world of care… How incredible to know we have someone who always makes time to hear us. Someone who doesn’t pull out a Continue Reading…
2 Chronicles 15:17 “But the high places were not taken out of Israel….” They did not remove the high places… a frequent commentary about the kings of Israel and Judah. It was a big deal. Failure to remove these Canaanite places of worship became the standard on which the kings Continue Reading…
Esther 4:14 “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place….” I wish my confidence in God stood as strong as Mordecai’s. The book of Esther illustrates the power of his unflinching trust in God. An edict had been given Continue Reading…
Luke 2:12 “And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” [ESV] When the angel appeared to the shepherds, they certainly had no fore-warning. They were quietly watching over their flocks when the glory of the Lord appeared. The Continue Reading…
Luke 2:10-11 “And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” [ESV] Taxes…lots of taxes. Political power on steroids. A religious establishment Continue Reading…
1 Kings 5:5 “I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the Lord my God, as the Lord told my father David, when he said, ‘Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my Name.’” All hail the Continue Reading…
Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” I just wore that. Those pants don’t fit. Wrong color. Out of style. You don’t have to be a Fashionista to find yourself staring in the closet wondering what in Continue Reading…