Psalm 141:8 “But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge….” Where do your eyes go in times of trouble? Do they frantically dart from one potential source of help to another? Do they gaze inward, withdrawn into an inevitable look of defeat? Maybe Continue Reading…
Matthew 7:7 “”Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” We’re not a very persevering people, are we? We usually want what we want and we want it now. We’re a Carpe Diem culture, afraid we’ll miss Continue Reading…
Matthew 19:14 “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” Satan is stealing our children… He comes in the form of Islamic militants to a remote Nigerian secondary school comprised of young girls, Continue Reading…
Acts 12:14-15 “When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, ‘Peter is at the door!’ ‘You’re out of your mind,’ they told her.” Whether praising, repenting or petitioning, I love communing with God. But a recent study of Acts 12 prompted me Continue Reading…
Isaiah 45:3 “I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” It was Sunday morning and I had just finished the last talk of five I had given at Continue Reading…
Hebrews 5:7 “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” Jesus was perfect in every way. But his prayers weren’t Continue Reading…
Mark 9:24 “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’” I believe! Help my unbelief! I wish those words—those polar opposite words—weren’t reflective of my own experience with faith. How can both be true? The footnote in my Bible says, “Since faith is never Continue Reading…
Matthew 15:28 “Then Jesus answered, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” She came like a dog, begging Jesus for a morsel of mercy. She broke all the rules. This woman. This Gentile. But she was desperate. Her daughter 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…
Ephesians 6:18 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” We’ve all heard the expression, “They don’t have a prayer.” I think that’s a claim that should be stricken from the Christian’s lexicon. Scripture tells us that nothing is impossible with God, and Continue Reading…