Having trouble getting to sleep? The psalmist settled on a solution
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.”
What will we do with the blank canvas of 2023 that God has given us?
Some daily responsibilities will continue, but we also have new and fresh possibilities for what God can do in us and through us as we offer ourselves and our talents to him.
A new year changes nothing about the God who always was and will be
As we begin this new year, what do you need to let go of or close from last year? What in your life needs to drop in your celebration of 2023’s arrival?
How to do more than simply get through the new year ahead of you
Whether your year will be smooth or riddled with unanticipated trouble, God will provide the resource for choosing the second option.
The best advice for those with needs unmet in 2022: Wait on the Lord
I have lost track of how many of the prophets told us to wait for the Lord, look for the Lord, be silent before the Lord, make our complaint to the Lord, and other similar messages.
Why trying to lock the door against stress is not the answer
I often experience significant stress. There are times I feel like I am locked in, locked out, and locked down. And in moments like these, there is only one who can bring me peace.
How Job’s questions—and God’s—shed light on what we’re asking
Anyone feeling up to tackling some of Job’s questions? Those who will may find answers for the dilemmas in their own lives.
How to navigate the whirlwind, an experience everyone will endure
I’ve been through a whirlwind, and I’ve heard the “Peace be still” of Jesus. I can only wish the same for every reader.
Christmas is over, but not the work God has for us in the new year
Go ahead and relax now that the Christmas scurry is over. And while you’re resting, think about all God may have for you to do in 2023.
Bound as a baby, surrendered for a lifetime, setting us free
Over and over Jesus allowed sinful man to bind him, lead him, send him, take him, flog him, strike him, deliver him, and crucify him. No resistance, only humility and surrender motivated by love.
Two verses, important direction, perfect perspective as we celebrate
There is one familiar passage in Micah that always appears in Advent and Christmas celebrations. There is a second one in Micah that I would suggest we also consider during our Advent preparations.
Three gifts, two groups of seekers, one question for us today
Our focus this Advent should raise the question anew: Whom do we seek as we approach Christmas?
Join the angels in a ‘hallelujah’ for Christmas and the year to come
The words of this grand chorus come solely from scripture. Most of the lines come straight from the book of Revelation. You can hear the magnificent melody as you read this line from Revelation 11:15: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
Like those who saw him first, we also want to see him face-to-face
Only few saw the newborn King face-to-face, but his prayer is that one day all of us will see him and know God’s glory.
The gift of Jesus never ends, and the prayer of Jesus always applies
The specific prayers of Jesus for you and me never end, and there’s one prayer whose vision is most important of all.
Glory to God in all Jesus did and does, not only in his birth
The angels sang “Glory to God,” but Jesus demonstrated God’s glory in all he did and said.
Why our relationship with Jesus is so much better than Santa Claus
Most of us have watched a child make his requests to Santa Claus. No harm in that, of course, unless we tend to think this is something like our relationship with God.
Jesus knew some would hate him, and we see them in many places today
Jesus knew some would hate him and others would hate those who love him. Even though this is still happening today, we can move forward with love.
What is your mood this Christmastime? And what would improve it?
There always seems to be a frenetic pace in December. Everything we were doing the first 11 months of the year continues, but December adds a significant amount of extras.
The message of John for us: Jesus knows our all and wants our all
The message of Jesus to the churches who first received John’s Revelation was, “I know your works.” As we read, we can imagine him saying the same to us.