“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; […]
“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 […]
“Then I said in my heart, ‘What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?’ And I said in my heart that this also is vanity. For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come […]
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7b I feel a bit of a weight today as I begin to write on this warning. Because how often is this the temptation? The warning applies not only to the initial calling of God’s salvation, for us to choose Him and choose […]
“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity has been pardoned, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.” Isaiah 40:1-2 Peace just seems to flow through these verses. The assurance of God that the […]
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that […]
“Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.” 1 Corinthians 7:17a Reading this verse brings such encouragement to my heart. It is highlighting for me both the sovereignty of my God and the devotion to Him that is to characterize our lives. […]
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from […]
“Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.” Psalm 16:1 This morning my thoughts are drawn to the faithfulness of our God when we take refuge in Him. Choosing to take refuge in our Lord is a beautiful act of faith and humility. It is a display of our belief that He will […]
“Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.” Psalm 4:4-5 How often do we ponder our actions, our words, our thoughts and motivations in our own hearts, and be silent—not offering excuses, not looking for ways […]
In Pleasant Places 