“While Ezra prayed and made this confession, weeping and lying face down on the ground in front of the Temple of God, a very large crowd of people from Israel—men, women, and children—gathered and wept bitterly with him.” (Ezra 10:1, NLT) After years of exile in Babylon, Artaxerxes, king of…
“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25, ESV) Have you ever observed a parent intervening in a childish squabble? It may have started with a push, a hit, or…
“For the thing that I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me. I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, but trouble comes.” (Job 3:25-26 ESV) Do the words of Job strike a chord with you? To say that he was stressed…
“And as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters coming down from above…
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” (Colossians 3:23, NKJV) Have you even known someone who seemed to do just enough to get by? No more, no less, just the bare minimum. It happens. A student does only enough to pass the…
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5, ESV) In II Chronicles chapter 1, we read of the newly crowned king of Israel. The man was Solomon, son of King David, and the…
“Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots.” (Proverbs 12:3, NLT) Several homes in my neighborhood, including mine, have very tall and very old trees. When the area was developed, the builder saved these beautiful old trees, and I’m glad. Someone had also planted a small, decorative tree…
“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” (I Peter 4:9, ESV) My mother loved having guests for dinner. She was an old-fashioned country-style cook, and the table would overflow with good things to eat. Like most children, I knew how to embarrass my parents without even trying. This incident happened…
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (III John 1:4) Today is Father’s Day and many families are celebrating that special man in their lives. Dads come in all sizes and shapes. They may be tall and thin, short and round, or anything in between. Some have thick curly hair while others may…