When God calls us, it’s not because he’s misplaced us. God calls to check our availability and even to see if we are ready to move another step closer in our journey of discipleship and maturity.

When God gives us a mission, he accomplishes it because we continued to surrender to him and depend on him.

I do not think we always know in every detail of every day that God is or isn't specifically directing us. What I hope to learn and encourage you to consider is how to involve God more and more in all decisions and at the same time have confidence in his provision.

There is no balance to preparation for dealing with the enemy. And there is also no balanced approach when it comes to our reliance on God to meet our needs.

John the Baptist denounced the religious leaders because they were watching for all the wrong reasons. Could we be guilty of the same?

Much about this story raises questions. But much about this story also takes away all of our excuses and simply challenges us to take a step of obedience.

Some find any celebration of Jesus as little more than an irritant. But for us who believe, Christmas is only the beginning of his offer to us.

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.”

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.

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?

Whether your year will be smooth or riddled with unanticipated trouble, God will provide the resource for choosing the second option.

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.

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.

Anyone feeling up to tackling some of Job’s questions? Those who will may find answers for the dilemmas in their own lives.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Our focus this Advent should raise the question anew: Whom do we seek as we approach Christmas?

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.”