For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15, ESV) “You don’t understand; you’ve never been through what I’m going through.” Has anyone ever said that…
“But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” (Romans 9:20, ESV) The word why contains only three little letters, but, oh, the emotion behind that short word. Our human mind wants (demands)…
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 Mountains of difficulty ahead It seems you cannot make it through. Rocky paths that you must tread. Storm clouds obscure the…
“Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of…
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. (II Corinthians 4:7-9, NKJV)…
I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage – I have conquered the world. (John 16:33, New English Translation) The Book of Job tells the story of “the greatest of all the men…
We all have them. Some more than others. James tells us to count them all joy (1:2), but it’s easier said than done. The book of Job offers wisdom for trusting God in times of distress. When Job emerged from his test of faith, he told God, “I had only…
“The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise.” (Proverbs 27:21, English Standard Version). I think it is safe to say none of us will escape experiencing tough times at some point in life. John 16:33 tells us, “In the…
Life Reference: Mark 6:41-44, Matthew 14:19-21 Focus Verse: And straightway He constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while He sent away the people. (Mark 6:45) I find it interesting that Jesus sent the disciples on vacation (or so…