As the Christmas season is here, set aside the noise, the busyness, the activities, and the plans. Celebrate the season, not only with a quietness of heart and mind, but with all the senses. Allow the Sprit to heighten your senses and abilities, and understand that all five human senses have their spiritual counterparts. Celebrate the spiritual sense of taste: If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 1 Peter 2:3 Taste and see that the LORD is…
Have you ever really looked at a bodybuilder? If so, you can appreciate the development that comes with a fierce commitment. Whether for sport or recreation, bodybuilders do not achieve that level of fitness overnight. Nor does it take just a week, a month or even a year. Their form and strength are built over a prolonged period using a wide range of exercises and disciplines, with an intense daily focus, diligence and dedication. Ask any bodybuilder and they will…
When Jesus heard that his friend Lazarus was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. (John 11:6) The bible shows us that Jesus didn’t immediately come running when he heard his friend was sick. Nor does it indicate that He sent a message back at once. When all is silent, this can be confusing or upsetting; delay of an answer feels bewildering or even agonizing. Oswald Chambers, in his writings in ‘From My Utmost for…
Daniel 9:4-19 is prayer where Daniel confessed the sin of his people, while glorified the goodness and righteousness of God. As we Americans enter a season of elections, holidays, and a new year of uncertainty, let all the saints come together in prayer for our cities, counties, states, and nation: I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,…
The other day, I found myself in a game of dodgeball. I was walking along, minding my own business when I got hit in the back with a ball. Orange. Couldn’t miss it. When I turned around, I got hit in the side with a blue ball. As I reached down to pick up the orange one, I was hit in the head with a red one. Thus, the game began, and no, this was not a child’s game. The…
There’s an old Yiddish adage that says “Mann Tracht, Un Gott Lacht” which translated means: “man plans, and God laughs.” Despite our most careful planning, the Road of Life is unpredictable. The unpredictability of life and our own expectations lead to heartbreak and great disappointment. But in reality, God isn’t laughing. Our good and loving Heavenly Father does not laugh at His children who He so carefully and lovingly created, and He wants His best for us. Disappointment comes in…
“If it takes forever, I will wait for you. For a thousand summers, I will wait for you…” is the first line of the 1966 song “I Will Wait for You” by Bobby Darin. There are hundreds of songs written about waiting forever for our romantic love. But what about waiting for our True Love? One of the amazing lessons found in the book of Habakkuk is that the prophet asked God exactly what he wanted to know. He also…
Driving a vehicle that is out of alignment is difficult—and dangerous. Drifting over into other areas is hazardous. Being out of alignment causes unnecessary wear on the tires which can cause unexpected problems in unexpected places. Continued misalignment will render the vehicle useless for taking us where we need to go. Misalignment can be caused by several things: the driver, the road, or the worn parts in the vehicle. First, it may be something we did by being in a…
“Build me a boat, make it long and make it wide; Gather your dreams, secure your hope, bring all that you know inside. Close the windows, lock the door, keep a candle burning bright; for you see, my friend Noah, you shall live without the light. Just remember what I’ve told you; hold fast to what you love, so the better land I promised you can be seen with the eyes of a Dove.”
It is a wonder that the world does not submit to God. “I have heard much of the rights of man: but it were well also to consider the rights of God, which are the first, highest, surest, and most solemn rights in the universe, and lie at the base of all other rights. Alas, great God, how art thou a stranger even in the world which thou hast thyself made! Thy creatures, who could not see if thou hadst not…