Wishing for the Way Things Were

It was a hard life, but it was a life they knew. Now they have left it all behind for the promise of something better, following God’s word. But now the first sign of opposition appears ready to stop them. They fear for their life. Suddenly the promised land doesn’t look so promising. Then they […]

Prayer Journal—Strength

Fill me with your Spirit dear God, the Spirit of truth. Help me to focus on the future you have laid before me, your path not a way of my own making. In you dear Lord I find strength when I feel weak. Fill me with your wisdom to navigate the unseen that lays before […]

Sunday Praise

With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God; and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple […]

Overcoming Overwhelming Darkness

In the midst of the deep darkness, deeper than any darkness ever seen, the light glowed like a beacon in the night. For days Egypt had been devastated by plagues because of Pharaoh’s hardened heart. This latest one placed “thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days. They did not see one […]

The Purpose Behind a Hardened Heart

When you’re going through a hard time and struggling to make it through each day, it’s hard to see God’s purpose in it. You hear people encouraging you to hang on, that things will get better, but nothing seems to change. What could possibly be the purpose in the pain you’re experiencing now? The Israelites […]

Prayer Journal–Thankful

Keep me alert dear Lord with an attitude of thanksgiving. Let not bitterness take root in me. Help me to trust in you, to offer you praise and thanksgiving in all things. Help me to seek to fill myself with your Spirit instead of my own pride. May your light shine brightly to guide me […]

Sunday Praise

Praise the LORD!Praise God in His sanctuary;Praise Him in His mighty expanse.Praise Him for His mighty deeds;Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.Praise Him with trumpet sound;Praise Him with harp and lyre.Praise Him with timbrel and dancing;Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.Praise Him with loud cymbals;Praise Him with resounding cymbals.Let everything that has breath […]

Follow the Money

Money. It’s what motivated them to have Paul and Silas brought before the authorities and imprisoned. It started me thinking about what motivates people to do the things they do. In Acts 16:16-24 Paul is on his way to prayer with the others when a fortune teller follows them and keeps proclaiming, “These men are […]

Answer My Request, Now!

When faced with difficult circumstances with no end in sight, relief from the pain is top of mind. During those times I have felt like the Psalmist in my prayers to God, “Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my distress; Incline Your ear to me; In the day when I […]

Prayer Journal–Many Waters

Lord, you are mightier than the “many waters, the breakers of the sea.” I have seen the power of a fierce wind blowing across the sea and experienced its power, waves crashing against feeble, earthly things. I have felt the might gales press against me. Yet you Lord, your hand, is mightier than any force […]