“…and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us…” (Romans 5:5) I have—like many of you—been struggling since our regular lives have been getting shut down in the last week or so. During times of stress—and I can’t remember of a time of more stress, fear, and worry—I believe it …
Tag: Christ
The Strength of Jesus
I can do all things through [Jesus] who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13) Paul wrote today’s scripture while in prison. Every time he was behind bars, he was facing death. Being chained to a Roman guard, he would’ve been deprived of any privacy. Under such conditions you might think Paul would’ve been daunted or depressed—but read …
Seek First the Kingdom of God
Jesus said to the disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.’ (Luke 12:22) I don’t consistently live by today’s scripture. Whenever I read Jesus’ admonition to not worry, I cringe when I remember the nights I’ve been awake at …
Cast Your Burden Upon the Lord
Cast your burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain you… (Psalm 55:22) About a year after starting to serve at the church, I was invited to participate in a golf tournament that was raising money for our outreach ministries. After praying to begin the day, someone said, “Please join me in my cart. I …
Seeing, Finding and Serving Jesus
Jesus said, “… I have come to call not the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17) Having gone through Hurricane Harvey I was reminded of another storm—Katrina. In 2005, we watched whole neighborhoods being flooded, people looting, and some even dying, and horrendous conditions throughout New Orleans. In response to the horrendous conditions in New Orleans, …
Battling for God’s Kingdom
“In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab with his officers and all Israel with him… But David remained at Jerusalem.” (2 Sam. 11:1) We don’t know why David didn’t go into battle. Maybe he was tired. Maybe he forgot how important he was to his …
Traveling with Jesus
He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two… He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts… (Mk. 6:8) Recently I was behind a woman in the check-in line before a flight. When she put her suitcase on …
Through the Lens of Gratitude or Ingratitude
Though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit is on the vines; though the produce of the olive fails, and the fields yield no food; though the flock is cut off from the fold, and there is no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord… (Hab. 3:17-18) Every year …
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A Journey That May Heal Your Own Heart
Although I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink; instead I hope to come to you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. (2 John 12) I once had a serious break with my daughter that was breaking my heart. …
“Jamie, who are His People?”
An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham…. (Mt. 1:1f) If Jesus had lived in the neighborhood where I grew up, my grandmother would have been worried about me playing with Him. She would have wanted me to shy away from Jesus because He came from …