This hard-to-imagine, ancient invitation is still offered to us today
Just as it was difficult for those in exile to imagine the place where God was calling them, we may have trouble grasping his invitation to us today.
Five tips from Isaiah for those who want to be servant leaders
I speak with many who say they want to be leaders. But the Scripture gives a different picture of leadership than what they really want to experience.
Two little words can make a big difference. Which will you choose?
When the situation seems hopeless, when the uncertainty is intense, the right two words can make all the difference.
“I once was blind, but now I see.” It has happened often to me
The prophet’s promise echoes the Savior’s purpose: clear vision to see the purposes and pathways of God.
You can have peace even when God’s timetable doesn’t match yours
The prophet’s audience didn’t know what we understand about the prophet’s message. It’s coming to pass on God’s timetable, not theirs, and not ours.
When it seems you have just too much to consider, start here
“Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him.”
Drift is inevitable without action, so here’s what we can do
“We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” And how will we obey this admonition from Hebrews 2? We must act.
Why waiting on God is better than wishing for the pandemic to end
Waiting on God is something altogether different than just about any other kind of waiting we can experience, especially our weary want for this pandemic to be over.
Walk with me on the highway of God to a bright future reality
They were weary in their “wilderness moment.” But the prophet urged them to look beyond the horizon to the future God was promising.
The greatest storyteller, our perfect hero, offers our only hope
“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers.” Thus begins just one example of storytelling like none other.
Here’s how I plan to keep today’s bad news from making me afraid
Sometimes I let the bad news get the best of me. But the Scriptures I remember here are part of the way I overcome my fear and choose to focus on God.
The risky prayer that can accompany a most haunting question
Maybe you’ve asked the question while speeding, when discovering a mistake, or after a difficult conversation. But have you prayed the prayer that best accompanies it?
Someday, after simple meals along the way, a future feast is coming
Isaiah promises a Heavenly feast. Jesus says something about the earthly food to be shared by those who will sit someday at that banquet table.
How to cope when it seems we are just checking off the days
When will this be finished? How can I get through it? The life of Moses and the psalm attributed to him give us the beginning of answers to questions like these.
Intimately confronted by the majesty of God, we have but one response
Any of us would have been overwhelmed by an encounter with God like Isaiah’s. And many of us, engulfed by his grace and power, are answering his call today.
No matter how bleak or confusing our today, we can know hope
God’s people couldn’t imagine that salvation would arise from their defeat. And we sometimes cannot see how hope will conquer today’s bleak problems. But God’s promises are available to those with eyes of faith.
Wealthy folks have helpers. But sometimes they don’t help enough
What trust this landowner placed in the hands of the caretakers! What does this say about what God wants from us?
Jesus has the answer for all our prejudices, weaknesses, and fears
Some tried to trip him up with their questions. Another desperately struggled to believe. All of them challenge us to think afresh about our faith.
Two kinds of “no.” Which do you remember uttering most often?
One said no but then thought better and went to do it. One said yes but never got around to following through. Which was better? And which reminds you most of yourself?
A story with a strange ending, questions with a penetrating point
The one-hour workers were paid the same as those who showed up first thing in the morning! Of course, this wasn’t fair, but are we really interested in God being fair?