Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” It’s 2020. What could possibly exist to make us anxious? COVID and shutdowns? Riots and financial uncertainty? Election results? Abbreviated experiences of simple pleasures like sports events, Continue Reading…
Matthew 7:11 “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Sometimes I get overwhelmed with God’s good gifts. About 17 years ago, a friend asked if our Continue Reading…
Hebrews 2:3-4 “how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit Continue Reading…
1 Thessalonians 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I was at a conference once when the speaker challenged us to think about what we consider a win. I’ve never forgotten the illustration he used. He said a “win” for the sound Continue Reading…
Psalm 50:14-15 “Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” The other morning I was sitting in my little room having my devotions when I spotted a blue bird headed from the holly Continue Reading…
Psalm 18:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. One of the highlights of our Thanksgiving dinner occurs when we go around the table and share something we’re thankful for in the past year. Since our meal includes extended family, it’s not unusual to hear twenty to Continue Reading…
Luke 12:7 “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” It’s almost too outrageous to believe. Too profound to understand. Yet the Bible says it’s true. The Creator of the Universe, Maker of all that is and ever Continue Reading…
1 Thessalonians 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Thank you. Gracias. Merci. Danke. Grazie. do jeh, daw-dyeh. Arigato. Expressing gratitude crosses all cultures and languages. Despite its universality, the climate of the day leans far more toward cynicism than gratefulness. And Continue Reading…
John 5:14 Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” The man had no faith. He didn’t even know who Jesus was. Whether he felt comfortable in his status as a beggar or whether after Continue Reading…
Psalm 135:3 “Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good” Good. Great. Sovereign. Just. Mighty. The psalmist certainly got it right when he chronicled the reasons we should praise the Lord. Interestingly, in Psalm 135, he begins with the fact God is good. Only through the lens of understanding his goodness can we Continue Reading…