1 John 2:1 “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” Imagine a world without repentance. It would be run by hypocrites, since repentance is what keeps us honest. Words Continue Reading…
1 Chronicles 21:13 “Let me fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into human hands.” I’ve always been intrigued by trials and courtrooms. I’m one of the few people I know who has never been called for jury duty but Continue Reading…
2 Corinthians 2:7 “Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.” How do we respond to weak believers? Do we throw them under the bus or extend an olive branch? “All we are saying… is give peace a chance…” Continue Reading…
Jude 1:3 “… I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.” Contend for the faith. I can’t get that phrase out of my mind. Jude urged the early church to fight against every smidgen of apostasy. Continue Reading…
Ecclesiastes 3:11 “He has made everything beautiful in its time….” I’m a firm believer beauty has a way of stimulating us toward a more generous thought life. It lifts us above the petty and connects us with Something bigger. I think that accounts for what happened to me in the Continue Reading…
Psalms 37:4 “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” “Won’t he be surprised when I live to be 90!” That was my 88-year old mother’s reaction when the doctor who discharged her from the hospital suggested she get Hospice care. Her congestive Continue Reading…
Matthew 5:45 “…He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Put down the umbrella! The words could not have been clearer. We were singing about God’s mercies being poured out, his blessings being “showered down.” Interrupting this Continue Reading…
Isaiah 65:17 “Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered nor will they come to mind.” I just received news that the chronic illness of a longtime friend is nearing its end. Her husband, Ken, reports that although Nancy is Continue Reading…
Psalm 42:5 “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Our lives are packed with expectations. Daniel Boorstin’s book, The Image, describes it well: “We expect anything and everything. We expect the contradictory and impossible. We expect compact cars which are spacious; Continue Reading…
John 1:46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” One of my students was in a dilemma as to what to do for her Narrative Speech. Her part-time job at college consisted of help in the maintenance department. It was while she was working, emptying trash cans, when she Continue Reading…