“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 had to forgive someone and, truthfully, you just didn’t want to? If you’ve lived any time at all…
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:12-13, ESV). I almost always carry…
“Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.” (Genesis 40:23, NKJV) It’s easy to feel forsaken and alone when you are falsely accused and imprisoned for something you did not do. But this latest blow was only one of several things that had plagued Joseph in recent…
“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.” (Psalm 119:37, ESV) Have you’ve ever gone shopping for one small item but came home with an armload of things you just couldn’t resist? It happens — more than we want to admit. For a…
“Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you . . .” (Isaiah 43:4, ESV) This happened many years ago, but I still remember the day I met Precious. Let me tell you her story. A nurse in the hospital unit where I did volunteer work…
“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13, NKJV) Many things in life excite us — a birth, a first date, reconnecting with an old friend, a wedding, or going on a special vacation. We dream about it, talk about…
Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18, ESV) Luke 17 tells the story of ten lepers and the encounter that changed their lives. To understand their plight, we need to…
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!” (Psalm 143:10, ESV). I was babysitting a friend’s child when the usually charming toddler’s attitude suddenly changed. The bright smiling face assumed a lockjaw position. The head whipped to one…
“Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” (Psalm 127:1, NKJV) When I began a search to purchase my first home, it was a new but exciting venture for me. I had several items that I…