Burying Fear

The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 is a familiar parable, but something new hit me this time that I never considered. In verse 24-25, when the master returns and asks for an accounting of the talents he gave to each servant, the man given one talent told him he buried it in the […]

Have Mercy On Me

In Mark 10:46-52, we read about a blind man named Bartimaeus who was sitting by the road begging “when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene (47, NASB)” approaching with a large crowd. He immediately cries out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me (47)!” Many in the crowd tell him to be […]

A Living Witness for Christ

In Mark 5, we see the powerful witness of a man once consumed by evil transformed by an encounter with Jesus. People are astounded when they see a man once inhabited by a legion of demons now proclaiming how Jesus changed his life. It is how people react today when Jesus Christ transforms someone from […]

Trading the Past for the Future

The past is what I know. It impacted me, helped shape me into who I am. I can look back and see what happened; remember; and see how things turned out, good and bad. There is no going back to the past to change things. The future is unknown. I do not know what is […]

The Casserole

The tears stream down my face. The pain is immense. Between sobs I hear a gentle tapping on the door. Who could it be at this hour? Am I hearing things? A light rumble of thunder. The gentle rain continues. Another knock. I open the door and there he stands. Such gentle, caring eyes; such […]

Weary From Waiting

Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. – Isaiah 40:31 (NASB) This verse from Isaiah is such a reassuring verse. It has given me hope in some very difficult […]

Just Reach Out to Him

So much effort; so hard to just extend your hand toward Jesus. In the midst of your pain, you reassure yourself to just reach out to Him.

Let’s See Your Credentials

The world operates on credentials. Degrees, certifications, licenses and identification. In many ways, it defines us in this world, but not in the Kingdom of God. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3:1-3 that our credentials come from the Spirit of God, from Jesus. As a follower of Jesus, our qualifications come from believing in him. […]

Dread and Fear

The disobedience of the first generation of Israelites to leave Egypt has cost them God’s promised land. Now a second generation of Israelites is preparing to enter the land. Deuteronomy 2:7 tells us, “These forty years the LORD your God has been with you; you have not lacked a thing. (NASB).” God has provided for […]

When Envy Stalks Us

Sometimes it is hard to see the prosperity of others and not feel envious of their life. They seem to have everything they desire and it appears they have no troubles. As the psalmist puts it in Psalm 73: “For there are no pains in their death, And their body is fat. They are not […]