When We Set Our Face Towards God

“Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying His commands…Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.” (Psalm 112:1; 6-7 NLT) What does it meanContinue reading “When We Set Our Face Towards God”

Are You Listening?

“God’s promise of entering His rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. For this good news – that God has prepared this rest – has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because theyContinue reading “Are You Listening?”

Beyond the Visible

“For we live by believing and not by seeing.” (2 Corinthians 5:7 NLT) Do you realize that on many levels the most meaningful aspects of our lives are created and stored in the unseen places of our heart? Can you draw a picture of love? Describe the impact of compassion? Formulate thoughts that can adequatelyContinue reading “Beyond the Visible”

Are We Hiding Behind Our Fear?

“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.” (James 3:17 NLT) In the culture in which we now live we’re seeing aContinue reading “Are We Hiding Behind Our Fear?”

When Getting Out of Bed is an Act of Worship

“For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:4-5 NLT) There have been days, even seasons in my life when I felt I hadContinue reading “When Getting Out of Bed is an Act of Worship”

What Are You Living For?

“But if I don’t understand a language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me.” (1 Corinthians 14:11 NLT) Having visited other countries I understand, at least in part, the frustration of not being able to speak to a person inContinue reading “What Are You Living For?”

The Loss of Meaning

“’Everything is meaningless,’ says the Teacher, ‘completely meaningless!’” (Ecclesiastes 1:2 NLT) Solomon, purported to have been the wisest man who ever lived besides Jesus, was essentially a spoiled son of king David who delved into every conceivable avenue of life to find meaning, but found none. He concluded in Ecclesiastes 12:13: “Here now is myContinue reading “The Loss of Meaning”

When Pain Isn’t Good

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21:4 NLT) Pain comes in many “packages” and is useful for many reasons, not the least of which is to enable us to see Jesus more clearly.Continue reading “When Pain Isn’t Good”

Why Christmas Matters

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6 NLT) What if God had never sent Jesus to earth? In a recent devotional from Anticipating Christmas, a 5-dayContinue reading “Why Christmas Matters”

The Narrow Way to Life

“But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matthew 7:14 NLT) Jesus IS the narrow way to life! Why? Because HE IS LIFE! In the writings of John in the New Testament, there are more than 75 references to the word “life,” mostContinue reading “The Narrow Way to Life”