“Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who wait for me shall not be put to shame.” Isaiah 49:23b So many times in the Bible, we read statements about waiting for the Lord. Assurances that He will hear us, that He will answer, that He will come. God is emphasizing to us—declaring […]
“Have mercy on me, have mercy on me, O you my friends… Why do you, like God, pursue me?… I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.” Job 19:21-22, 25 Despite his heart-wrenching circumstances, despite his friends’ accusing him of wrongdoing and guilt, Job still holds to […]
“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil […]
“The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.” Proverbs 20:29 Whatever age we are, it can be very tempting to look around us and wish something was different. We want to look or act or talk like those around us, to exhibit their strengths and […]
“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent…The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the […]
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the […]
“But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Luke 11:20 Reading Jesus’ statement here, my thoughts are immediately drawn to the great power of God. Demons—which easily overpower and terrify us—are cast out by the mere finger of our God. […]
“The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” 1 Timothy 1:5 Our aim is to be love. Not being right. Not proving a point. Not responding in kind or making sure others treat us as they should. Only ever love. Love from […]
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person […]
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope” 1 Timothy 1:1 Such strength is seen here in Paul’s opening statement. He is an apostle by the command of God. Upon reading this, the thought occurred to me: how lightly do we tend to view the […]
In Pleasant Places 