“For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night . . . But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief” (I Thessalonians 5: 2, 4, English Standard Version). As a child…
“Then he instructed the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish, and looking up to heaven he gave thanks and broke the loaves. He gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds” (Matthew 14:19, New English Translation).…
“Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one body to this peace), and be thankful” (Colossians 3:15, New English Translation). So many people want peace in their lives, but it seems elusive to them. We do not live in…
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also…
“But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, New English Translation). I grow ugly houseplants. Not intentionally—I just don’t have a green thumb. I also can’t bear to throw out a plant that still has any life…
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18, New English Translation). True happiness seems elusive to many people. Part of this may result from their viewpoint on life. If we judge our happiness…
“Your own soul is nourished when you are kind, but you destroy yourself when you are cruel” (Proverbs 11:17, New Living Translation). Everyone needs a little kindness in their life—to give some and to receive some. But what is kindness? Or is it even easily definable? Urbandictionary.com says it is…
“You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes! This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says:…
“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1, New King James Version). How long does it take before God answers a prayer? Is there a point when we just give up asking? Even if we find prayer—and how to…