2 Corinthians 7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. I was expecting a quick, painless procedure in preparation for a spinal ablation on my back. But as I laid on Continue Reading…
2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. [NIV] Fully committed. The king of Judah started well. Asa removed all the pagan idols from the land and repaired the altar of the Lord. He even deposed his grandmother Continue Reading…
Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. “Fourscore and seven years ago…” The source of human conflict began much earlier than Continue Reading…
Luke 5:4-5 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” I stared at the blank computer screen, Continue Reading…
James 1:12 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” This week marked our 48th wedding anniversary. Chip and I got married on top of a mountain outside of Continue Reading…
Romans 15:4 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” You’re probably familiar with the saying, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Continue Reading…
Psalm 11:3 “When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” You don’t have to be a news junkie to take David’s question in Psalm 11 as more than rhetorical. It’s hard to watch what’s happening across the world without experiencing pangs of despair. We don’t know where to Continue Reading…
Judges 1:20-21 “Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty….” Ever feel like circumstances you face are irreversible? Think there’s no way the breakthrough you long for is going to happen? You realize Continue Reading…
Luke 9:26 “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Fat-shaming. You’ve no doubt heard of it. It’s when people are mocked or Continue Reading…
Job 1:22 “In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” Satan hurled everything he could to throw Job off track and derail his relationship with God. He will try the same strategies with us… First, Satan sends invaders to kill Job’s servants and steal his livestock. Continue Reading…