“When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, act decisively, for then the LORD will have gone out ahead of you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” (II Samuel 5:24, CSB) For two mornings now, a strange noise has filled my home.…
“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.” (Ephesians 6:14, ESV) Spam. Scam. Fake. Fraud. If you are like me, you are irritated by those who prey on the unsuspecting and vulnerable, scheming to dupe or cheat them. I became so…
“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.” (Jeremiah 2:13) Have you ever been in a place where pure water was difficult to find? I’ve visited a few places where the water was…
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you . . . Therefore…
“Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:21, NKJV). Friendship is a great thing. Before opening ourselves up to a new friend, we usually look for qualities like common interests, trust, loyalty, dependability, supportiveness. So it was puzzling when…
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules. (Psalm 119:105-106, ESV) There’s a saying that rules are made to be broken. But is this really true? Do we even want it…
“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22, ESV) Looking out my window this morning, I saw sunshine and the promise of a new season. I live in an area that has four distinct seasons, each with…
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in…
“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Ephesians 4:1, NKJV) As a prisoner of Rome, the apostle Paul could not move freely about to continue ministering to the believers. He could, however, strengthen and encourage the churches…