“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:1-10 Job, as he declares, “I shall come forth as gold,” is going through the trial of his life. It seemed like the blessings and favor of God were stolen away forever. Job was in anguish. His heart would forever grieve the loss of his children. His body, though tired and weary from grieving the death of his precious children, was also plagued with sickness and painful ulcers. At the time in his life when he needed encouragement the most, He…
What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 1 Samuel 17:31, NIV. A few days ago I was talking with one of my best friends about the power of God creating an opportunity for us, rather than creating an opportunity for ourselves. We live…
“On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’” (John 20:19, ESV) Life sometimes takes unusual twists and turns that cause…
“A dispute also arose among them [the disciples], as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.” (Luke 22:24, ESV) Ambition. Egos. Competition. Power. Pride. It happens. We’ve seen it, but we would hardly expect to find it among the Lord’s disciples, those closest to Him. Yet, more than once they disputed among themselves about who was the greatest. Even the night of their Passover meal, just hours before Jesus’ arrest, the argument began again. Did they even grasp the meaning of Jesus’ words when He told them: “For who is the greater, one who reclines at…
The power of ONE voice—to an audience of ONE. We are well familiar with the third book of the New Testament, the Gospel of Luke. But who was Luke? He certainly was not one of The Twelve. Though he likely had a close relationship with at least some of His…
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17, NKJV) Who doesn’t like to receive gifts? I sure do. It’s fun to be remembered on special occasions—or no…