We can either trip over Jesus or build our lives on him. As we each construct our lives upon the living stone of Jesus, we become a spiritual framework that God uses in expanding his kingdom.

Long before screenwriters used the technique of a plot twist, the Holy Spirit had already mastered the method. And if foreshadowing is a part of a good plot twist, then the ancient writers with divine inspiration used that technique as well. We see all of this in many places in the drama of Scripture, but maybe the book of Esther is the best example of perfect and powerful plot twists.

Today I am considering that Peter’s beautiful words stretch to include my friends and all of us who share friendships with each other as we watched loved ones depart this world and take claim of what we all believe we one day will also receive.

Remember these four words, and you may find a new reason every day to be thankful.

Living with a bad decision is like walking with a bag of sand tied to your feet. And of all the possible bad decisions, choosing the wrong partner is one of the worst.

Just like my stubborn shoulder, God’s people were hard to handle. The Bible had some corrections for them—me, too!

I’ve never heard a preacher speaking of the relation between Haggai and James. But today I saw something new about how they, and you and I, are connected.

While we’re waiting for important people and big-news events to make the differences we’re seeking, God will probably work through someone almost nobody knows.

How do you grow a business, a nonprofit, a church, or a community without a plan? Is James 4 suggesting that we simply quit thinking and planning for the future? If you read only verses 13 and 14 you might decide that.

Good, not good . . . how good? We may never agree about that in many situations, but God through Christ has offered a way for us to experience unity.

Darkness comes, but it does not win. It can’t because according to Jesus, it is finished.

It’s a humble path and a simple pursuit. Perhaps this is why so many fail to discover perfect, lasting peace.

When we’re a member of a group, we learn to follow the rules the group imposes. But this prominent Jew decided something else was more important.

The pandemic has created stress for everyone, and for some it has been severe. But stress occurred before COVID-19, centuries ago, as we discover in the lament of the prophet.

Maybe you got yourself into this mess. Or maybe it washed over you through no fault of your own, and you’re overwhelmed with confusion about how to get out of it. Whatever the case, God will hear your cry for help.

Sliding into the base was natural for me. After many years of playing ball, it was my common practice. But not so much for the team I had just joined.

Jesus gives an illustration of a truth to challenge every believer: The amount of the gift is not nearly as significant as the heart of the giver.

Neither Jeremiah nor Jesus promised us that life would be comfortable. But both did promise the dark will not last forever.

The preaching of Jesus, the song of the psalmist, the writer of Proverbs, and the science of building all lead us to the same conclusion.

If Jesus always noticed and always took time for the people he met each day, why do I think my mission is so important I can ignore the people who fill mine?