1 John 3:21-22 “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.” “And you, my tender-hearted, overly conscientious friend, can rest in Him too, so that your prayers will Continue Reading…
Mark 1:45 “…As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.” Satan is the master messer-upper. He fans the flames of separation and hatred, incites violence, and does anything within the power he’s been granted to Continue Reading…
2 Corinthians 5:20-21 “…We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” If only I would have….or If only I wouldn’t have…. Ever wish life included a replay Continue Reading…
Luke 22:51 “But Jesus answered, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.” Sometimes our humanness just plain stinks—especially when we fail to recognize it. We think we are doing the “Lord’s will,” but our motivation is fueled more by our flesh than the Holy Spirit. It’s 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…
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Every year at the college where I teach, a student is chosen to win the “Public Bible Reading Award.” From the moment I knew I had the 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…
Luke 7:16 “…God visited his people.” (ESV) A number of years ago we received a calendar from some missionary friends living in France. The December scripture was taken from this passage in Luke 7: “Dieu a visite son peuple.” I remember thinking how much that verse captured the essence Continue Reading…
Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” From the man who after thirty years of faithful employment is told to clean out his desk to the piercing words of the oncologist, there’s nothing more we can do; from the Continue Reading…
Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” I recently had a small but poignant experience that sharpened to me the beauty of everyday redemption. I had just paid for getting my hair done at the beauty salon. As I Continue Reading…