Recent Devotions
When you read the Psalms of David, you will notice that he experienced the highest of mountaintops and the steepest drops into the deepest valleys. He encountered every long, dark tunnel, the greenest meadow, the driest desert, and every upside-down twist and turn of the best (or worst) roller coaster ever built. As we enter David’s life in Psalm 56, we find this is one of the low places. He wrote these words to the chief musician when the Philistines captured him. He begins by saying: “Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting…
Have you ever heard someone say, “Dressed to the nines”? I first heard my mother say it when reflecting on a dress or outfit someone had worn for a special event. The colors were beautiful, and the style complemented her figure marvelously. Her hairstyle was magnificent, and her shoes matched…
“Are you putting on weight?” I DO NOT recommend asking someone this question when you see them after time apart! We may know the honest answer is yes, but not many of us want anyone else to know we are, indeed, putting on weight. But I hope you’ll keep reading…
Readers Loved
Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.” Hebrews 13:3 Do you get up in the middle of the night when it is dark and you are half asleep? I have. Most nights I make it safely to my intended destination and back to my bed without incident. On occasion I have been quickly awakened by the mysterious dresser phenomena. You know, when that big piece of furniture suddenly jumps out and attacks your big toe! “Ouch, my toe hurts,” I cry, gritting my teeth and…
“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” – Corrie ten Boom In our last study, we explored the peculiar Hebraic concept of “past” and “future.” The perspective in Hebrew is that the “past” is “in front”—we walk, in essence, backward with our eyes facing the PAST. All you really can see and KNOW for sure is what has already happened. But, in contrast, the FUTURE is “behind the back.” No one, but God, can see the FUTURE, unless you have eyes in the back of your head. In fact, attempting to “see” or predict what…
“Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:16, English Standard Version) Confession. With all the time I’ve had at home for the past several weeks in lockdown, I haven’t accomplished as much as I thought I would. Others seem to be organizing closets, clearing garages of useless items, packing things to donate to charity, and doing spring cleaning. While I tell myself I should do that, I’ve put it off for still another day. Perhaps I’m not alone in my lack of productivity. I recently saw an article that asked, “Why is doing nothing…
“And this whole assembly will know that it is not by sword or by spear that the LORD saves, for the battle is the LORD’s. He will hand you over to us.” (I Samuel 17:47, Christian Standard Bible) A favorite Bible story from childhood tells of the shepherd boy David slaying Goliath, the formidable Philistine giant. The account, found in I Samuel 17, is filled with everything that make a story exciting: (1) a bad guy (super big and mean), (2) a good guy (likable but greatly outweighed), and (3) a problem (bad guy and his buddies trying to push the…
