Tied to hope despite life’s hardships
Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world and return to His Father. He had loved His disciples during His ministry on earth, and now He loved them to the end. It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to … [Read more…]
. . . and the government will rest on His shoulders. Man’s authority and rule, whether good or evil, rests upon the shoulders of my Savior. There is nothing that occurs without His notice. Nor does this world’s depravity extend beyond or above the reach of His goodness. Men’s choosing of sin and death is … [Read more…]
This morning I read the following quote by Michele Cushatt: The journey of faith seldom follows predictable steps. Ain’t that the truth? Instead, faith bids us step into illogical and often unreasonable places. I’ve lost count of the times I have irreverently sighed to my heavenly Father, “Surely, You cannot be serious.” But He was. … [Read more…]
Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.”His armor-bearer replied, “Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead; I am … [Read more…]
It’s hard to stay holy while we wait. It’s easier to be disappointed or embarrassed by our unanswered prayers. Sometimes, we are even prone to jealousy when we see others who have that for which we so desperately long. And the longer our longing goes unfulfilled, the more sparse hope becomes. It seems more natural … [Read more…]
Did you think the lion was sleeping because he did not roar?– Friedrich Schiller No matter how things may appear, the Lion of Judah is not slumbering. He is not unaware of our plight, nor is He negligent in guarding and protecting His rule. He sees the utter depravity of mankind and the evil lurking … [Read more…]
I wish I could confidently say that I always know how to face a situation head-on, that I never struggle to find the right words to speak into the heart of a fellow sojourner. I wish I knew how to pray effectively. Without pause, without questioning what should be, could be, might be the will of God … [Read more…]
God didn’t create the world only to walk away from it. He stepped into it, strolling its beauty with the man and woman He placed there. He didn’t desert Abraham to a grievous sacrifice at Mt. Moriah; He stepped into that act of obedience, sending a ram in a thicket to fulfill a promise given. … [Read more…]
The man stood on stage, his once empty hands clasping a bouquet. In the blink of an eye, the flowers had materialized. For the next thirty minutes, I sat amazed, watching him make things appear and disappear at random. This first encounter with a magician held all the magic intended for my six-year-old self. But … [Read more…]
I was recently asked the question: “How do you want to finish this year?” Two words immediately came to mind: Peaceful and Expectant. I want to come to grips with who I was in 2021, both my highlights and my less-than-stellar moments. Some things I mastered with finesse; others I barely mustered through.Too often, I … [Read more…]