“For this is what love for God is: to keep his commands. And his commands are not a burden, because everyone who has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith. Who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that […]
“Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here, while I go over and pray.’ And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; […]
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 This morning I want to spend some time dwelling on the promises written here, promises enough to dispel our fears in […]
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s […]
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” Ephesians 6:10 So often, strength in our world is associated with defiance, stubbornness, harshness, a refusal to bow. A determined state that will not bend to another. It can appear entirely contrary to the characteristics to which followers of Christ are called: […]
“What is my strength, that I should wait?… Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze?” Job 6:11-12 “I love you, O LORD, my strength.” Psalm 18:1 Hearing Job’s despair, reflecting on all he had lost – his property, his servants, his health, his children – I was drawn to this […]
“The beloved of the LORD dwells in safety. The High God surrounds him all day long, and dwells between his shoulders.” Deuteronomy 33:12 “The LORD…will keep your life… from this time forth and forevermore.” Psalm 121:7-8 As those beloved by the Lord of heaven, we dwell in safety. Safety far beyond our circumstances and far […]
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 Very present. My God is very present. The footnote in my Bible says this verse may also read “well proved” – which means He has proven, time and time again, to be our help in times of trouble. Times when His […]
“But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?’ He said, ‘But I will be with you’” Exodus 3:11-12a “But I will be with you.” A seemingly simple statement. Yet it identifies a major shift in perspective—one that turns everything around […]
“As for me, I am poor and needy, but the LORD takes thought for me.” Psalm 40:17a The LORD takes thought for me. The One who owns the heavens and the earth. The One who gave His life to save the world, and who raised Himself from the dead so we could live in His […]
In Pleasant Places 