Now Elijah said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” 1 Kings 17:1. 1 Kings 16-18 narrates a story about Ahab, a king who was more evil than any other king before him (1 Kings 16:30-33). Ahab married the infamous woman, who we know as Jezebel. She was a Phoenician princess who did not give up her lifestyle. Her dedication to Baal not only influenced her husband but also the nation of Israel. As a result, God sends…
Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork.” I live 30 minutes from D.C. and one of our family traditions is to go to the Cherry Blossom Festival every year. When the Cherry Blossoms hit their peak bloom, it is an official sign that Spring is here. The National Cherry Blossom Festival attracts more than 1.5 million people to the District of Columbia every year. At the heart of the festival is 3,000 cherry blossom trees blooming along the Tidal Basin. It’s amazing that blossoming trees can attract so many people from around the world. New life is beautiful. Everywhere we look we see the glory of God. God is the one who can breathe life into dry bones. Your time of brokenness will not last forever, there is a new season — new life. There may be a situation in your life that is dry and seemingly dead, but it’s a new season and there is hope, now more than ever. Today is a new day; it’s a new season. Go outside and look around. the message of life after death is everywhere. Today, my prayer for you is that the seemingly…
“…I make all things new.” Revelation 21:5. This week in Maryland has been wonderful; there is a gentle zephyr that invites warm weather, buds are forming on the ends of barren branches, and green shoots are rising from the ground—all promising a change in seasons. We have shining yellow daffodils blooming in our front yard, giving hope for what is to come; Spring. My husband and I took our daughter and son on a walk a few days ago and it felt so good to have the warmth of the sun beam down on our faces. The wonderment in their eyes sparkled as they fixated on the trees, the buzzing insects, and spring blooms. Experiencing their joy in God’s creation brings me joy. J.R.R. Tolkien states, “There is no secular molecule in the universe; everything derives from God, and He is the origin of everything.” This statement proves itself when mirrored against the word of God. Colossians 1:16 declares, “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” Nature does not stand still; there are…
“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:3, NIV. Small Beginnings Spring is only a few days away; a time of rejuvenation and new growth. Even the smallest seeds will take root and become a beautiful plant or tree. I used to live in Michigan and I can still remember neighborhoods with tall and mighty oak trees. Their long limbs would shake off acorns during the strong winds that would sweep through during a thunderstorm. I would watch the neighborhood squirrels gather acorns and bury them with precision with…
Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me. Psalm 42:7 A few weeks ago at church prayer, there was a depth that our congregation experienced in the presence of God. I felt like Peter when he began to walk on the water. Peter didn’t step unto still waters, he stepped unto raging waters in the middle of a storm! Regardless of how we may judge Peter for getting distracted and looking at his surroundings, he is still the only man who has ever lived, other than Jesus, to have ever walked on water. It’s also powerful to note that Jesus didn’t ask Peter to walk on water, Peter asked Jesus to “bid him come, (Matthew 14:22-23).” Peter had a longing in his spirit to do the impossible. Trusting God In The Unknown The story of every believer is to trust God in the unknown. A lot of people, myself included, feel safe in shallow waters. Personally, I am not a strong swimmer and that is the reason why I don’t go in water above my head. Naturally, that makes sense, but how do we respond when God asks us…
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6, NKJV) I have been blessed throughout my life to have sufficient food and to enjoy the food I have. I especially enjoy sharing a good meal with a group of friends gathered around the table. The food refreshes my body while the fellowship refreshes my spirit. Eating would not be nearly as enjoyable if we did not experience hunger. Hunger is the body’s alarm system, built in by God, to warn us that it’s time to eat. Without hunger we could literally starve to death. Hunger gives us the perception of need. We may feel hunger when the body does not need food, but we can also need food but not want it. Our alarm system has shut down. HUNGER PANGS The human body is quite adaptable. Within our culture, we have three set mealtimes each day. There are some who routinely skip meals, frequently breakfast. Their body soon adjusts to this new schedule and no longer sends hunger pangs at that time. If someone habitually works through lunch, those midsection twinges won’t begin until they head home for the day. The spiritual man…