Staring at him in awe, he said, “What is it, Lord?” The angel told him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity have ascended as a memorial offering before God.” (Acts 10:4, CSB) Several years ago, I became a surrogate grandmother to the daughter of friends. We spent a lot…
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” (II Corinthians 13:5, ESV) I’m a reader. And a writer. I enjoy both—a lot. I am seldom without a book I’m in…
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” (I Corinthians 9:24, ESV) Cliff Young was a determined man who accomplished what he set out to do. You may not recognize his name. After…
“And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.” (Luke 12:33, NLT) I am always amazed at friends who can exist all day with just an itsy-bitsy purse hardly bigger than an…
“Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (I Timothy 2:4, NKJV) I have friends who are leaving soon for an undisclosed country where the gospel is severely restricted. For those of us who have the freedom to openly share our salvation…
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17, ESV) My mom, with homespun wisdom, would prod her shy daughter (me) to get out there and mix with others. This lady who never saw a stranger in her life would quote loosely from Proverbs…
“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life.” (Proverbs 22:4) During your school years, you could probably name the student in your class considered most likely to succeed in life. They may have attained a high grade-point average, shown leadership ability, or been popular.…
And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’” (I Kings 18:44, ESV) It had been a long day on…
“Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” (I Peter 2:17, ESV) How is it possible to respect a hateful, rude person? It’s not easy to respond with grace and kindness when someone seems intent on treating us badly. That’s why the story of David goes against what…