“Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will experience affliction for ten days. Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life…The one who conquers will never be […]
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 A question was asked this morning in the book I’ve been […]
“The people of Joseph said, ‘The hill country is not enough for us. Yet all the Canaanites who dwell in the plain have chariots of iron, both those in Beth-Shean and its villages and those in the Valley of Jezreel.’” Joshua 17:16 “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of […]
“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse; the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God…and the curse, if you do not obey…but turn aside…to go after other gods that you have not known.” Deuteronomy 11:26-28 In these verses, this morning I was struck by the phrase, […]
“The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight.” Proverbs 11:5a “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9a “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to […]
“Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!” Psalm 31:19 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it […]
“but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.” Psalm 147:11 This is why I have no need to fear. My future is not determined by my strength or my ability to get it all right. It is determined by my God who takes pleasure in […]
“And the LORD said to Moses, ‘Tell Aaron your brother not to come at any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat that is on the ark [of the covenant], so that he may not die. For I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat. But in this […]
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!” Psalm 84:11-12 “Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed… Oh, […]
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” Colossians 4:2 Being watchful. This can speak of self-awareness, a guarding of one’s thoughts and perspectives – guarding for truth, for humility, for trust. It can also speak of faith. A watchful expectation that God will come through, that He will hear. The latter is […]
In Pleasant Places 