James 1:4 “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Shingles. All I knew about the notorious infection spawned from chicken pox was that it triggered pain. Lots of pain. Now I was experiencing it firsthand. Initially the pain came as intermittent spurts, Continue Reading…
Psalm 100:4 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Thank goodness! Thank my lucky stars! Thank heaven! Expressions we often hear from those who experience something good in their lives. We humans are designed to give thanks. Gratitude surges Continue Reading…
Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” It seems like an old-fashioned word. It’s a bit out of sync in our fast-lane, high-stress society. Maybe its rarity in our vocabulary reflects its scarcity in our living. Yet as elusive as peace Continue Reading…
Numbers 11: 20 “because you have rejected the Lord, who is among you, and have wailed before him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?’” They complained about their enemies. They complained about their lack of water. They complained about their food. The nation of Israel could be characterized as one big Continue Reading…
Hebrews 10: 36 “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Thanksgiving. Pioneers. Funny-looking clothes. Religious fuddy-duddies. Overcomers. Whatever comes to mind when people hear Pilgrim, one word stands out—if the Pilgrims were anything, they were perseverers. Continue Reading…
Psalm 150:1,6 “Praise the Lord….Praise the Lord.” (NIV) It begins and ends with identical sentences. The word praise reoccurs in each of its six verses. In fact, praise is used thirteen times in this brief exhortation. Described as the “final great hallelujah,” Psalm 150 is considered by many to Continue Reading…
I Thessalonians 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Seventeenth century Bible scholar Matthew Henry is said to have penned these words upon the theft of his wallet: “I thank Thee first because I was never robbed before; second, because Continue Reading…
Ephesians 4:1 “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” The dilemma of our sinful nature is resolved—we are born again. The scripture says we literally become a “new creation.” We view life from a whole new perspective as the “old” begins to pass away. Continue Reading…
Titus 2:11-12 “For the grace of God…teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” Busted! I knew he was coming after me as soon as I saw him turn on the flashing lights and pull Continue Reading…
Psalm 136:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” It rouses generosity. It expresses faith. It initiates a chain reaction that could well end in a miracle. And it plain down makes everyone feel good. Gratitude….simple but profound in its power. How do Continue Reading…