The Anxiety of Hope

The key is to pray when feelings arise of concern for others. We may still worry, still feel anxious, but don’t lose sight of praying for that person.

The Dirty Laundry in Our Life

As a culture, we seem obsessed with whitening things. Laundry detergent ads boast about how they make whites whiter and toothpaste ads boast about whiter teeth. But no matter how white they make things, teeth and clothes can soon become dingy. It reminds me of our efforts to purify ourselves of the “sin which so […]

The Motives Behind Faith

What is your motivation for following Jesus? Is it for personal gain, or is it driven by devotion to Him? People can profess loyalty, a belief in Jesus, but their actions express something else. Jesus saw this played out in the temple. “And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep […]

Ignoring the Obvious

I am amazed at the disbelief of the Pharisees. Jesus has raised Lazarus from the dead in front of dozens of witnesses (John 11:1-45). Later Lazarus is reclining at table with Jesus having supper (12:2). The undeniable proof of the miraculous works of Jesus, Lazarus, is sitting at table with him eating after being dead […]

When Bitterness Consumes Joy

It’s easy to point a finger at Haman and say he should thank the Lord for all his blessings, but it’s also a warning to us that the things of this world will not satisfy; that bitterness can consume us.

Angry Loss

What does anger cause us to miss? Our frustration, bitterness and resentment can taint our day and cause us to lash out at people, damage relationships and create difficult situations. This response does not convey God’s love, grace or holiness to others. When we respond to life with anger, we miss out on what God […]

Putting Away Malice

When I feel I am treated unjustly, it seems my first reaction is to strike back, to defend myself. But Peter reminds us, “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance (1 Peter 1:14, NIV).” While we have the Spirit of God within us as followers […]

Preparing for Battle in Times of Peace

The time to prepare for battle is not when the enemy shows up at your door with a million soldiers—twice what you have in your army. In 2 Chronicles 14:9, “Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and 300 chariots, and he came to Mareshah.” Asa is King […]

Putting Your Heart and Soul Into It

Deuteronomy 6:5 tells us: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” It is a scripture Jesus quoted when asked what is the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37). But how do you do that? You start by putting God first in your life, […]

Acquiring a Heart for God

Nehemiah teaches us what it takes to have a heart for God. We can sense his longing to make his desires God’s desires. He is someone we can model after.