Psalm 31:24 “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” How’s your hope tank these days? A little depleted? I think the coronavirus has left us all feeling more vulnerable and less secure than we were when life was normal. When was that? Decades ago? The 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…
Psalm 124:1-3 “if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us, they would have swallowed us alive….” Do you know the right man is on your side? Sometimes I think all of life is purposed to teach us that one unassailable truth. Maybe you’re encountering new territory. Until now, Continue Reading…
Psalm 71:14 “As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.” The culture tries to paint a picture of hope. But I’m afraid it often seems more like hype. How many times we’ve been at a Penn State football game, we’re behind, and the Continue Reading…
1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 “We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.” The waiting time—that interminable period between crying out to God and receiving an answer—poses one Continue Reading…
John 11:21-22 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” “Yet Lord, I know even now you can deliver her.” I was surprised to find myself writing those words while praying Continue Reading…
Jeremiah 33: 20-21 “‘If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that day and night no longer come at their appointed time, then my covenant with David my servant…can be broken.” How sure can we be that God keeps his word? Do we believe promises Continue Reading…
Luke 2:10-11 “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Silent night; holy night; all is calm; all is Continue Reading…
Job 16:19-20 “Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God” No matter how dark life becomes, within each person flickers a light of hope that cannot be extinguished…unless we let it. No one knew trouble more than Job. Continue Reading…
John 11:25-26 “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” A long-time friend died in a horrendous car wreck this week. The last time I talked to him I had Continue Reading…