“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12, ESV) When we think of the man Job, the first word that usually comes to mind is suffering. It is true. As we read his story, we learn that Job endured a season of intense suffering. But…
The crabapple tree remained barren through May and June, leaving its caretakers puzzled. A visit to the local garden center revealed a surprising explanation: the winter had been too mild to provide the conditions the tree needed to bloom. In an unexpected way, the tree needed the cold of winter…
Two artists set out to create paintings that represented perfect peace. The first depicted a carefree woman sitting in a boat on an idyllic lake, its surface undisturbed by even the slightest ripple. The second painted a raging waterfall, with powerful winds whipping the spray through the air. Yet on…
If you could erase the painful parts of your life story, would you? Psychologist Jonathan Haidt described a thought-provoking hypothetical experiment in which participants were given a summary of someone’s life and asked to imagine it as the inevitable journey of their unborn daughter. With an eraser in hand, they…
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises.” II Peter 1:3-4a KJV Every promise in the book is…
“. . . Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.” (Genesis 6:9, NKJV) Some may consider the story of Noah and the ark little more than a nice children’s story. It tells about a big boat and lots of animals, and children do enjoy…
Some mountains are climbed. Some are tunneled through. Some are conquered one shovel at a time. And some can only be moved by faith. A Chinese proverb, Yu gong yi shan, carries a meaning similar to the familiar phrase, “Faith can move mountains.” The proverb comes from an ancient fable…
“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…
So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (II Kings 6:16, NKJV) When God is on your side, the enemy doesn’t have a chance. Sometimes He responds in very unexpected ways when we pray for His help. Let me tell you one such story…