What happens when we trust God with our mouths firmly closed
There is wisdom in knowing when to speak up and when to keep silent. Maybe the secret is in learning to listen to God.
So many were blind, and despite our song, we sometimes are, too
Jesus healed two blind men, but they weren’t the only ones who couldn’t see clearly.
How this ‘new commandment’ addresses a problem as old as time
Jesus said his followers are to be known for their love. But the struggle against hatred is real.
We understand, because we’ve suffered through storms ourselves
Two storms, the same reaction. And we can identify with the fear the disciples felt.
Even when we’re misunderstood and mistreated, God is with us
Since Jesus has handled our biggest problem of all, shouldn’t we trust his Father with the rest of them?
‘Keep the main thing the main thing’ is our main thing, too!
The Gospel of Mark opens by telling us the main thing: “This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.”
God sees and he understands. This means we know we can trust him
As disciples of Jesus, we believe God sees from the macro level of his universe to the micro level of our hearts. He not only sees it all, he understands it all and can guide us in dealing with it all.
Ancient sacrifice, the death of Jesus, and the awfulness of sin
Nowhere are the ugly consequences of sin made clearer than in the book of Leviticus. They make us even more grateful for the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus.
What seemed like the end of the story became a day like no other
They had no idea of the possibilities that would dawn on that day. Could it be that something life-changing is ahead for us today, too?
How all of us can discover the wonderful secret of ‘We have enough’
We know God can and will provide more than enough through the humble offerings we bring. And yet too many can say, “We do not have enough.”
Moses wanted what all of us need, the presence of God with us
We can approach God with the same boldness Moses had. God has promised his presence with us.
No matter what else is happening, our place is to praise God
God will do what only God can do. Meanwhile, we can patiently watch and wait and praise him for who he is and what he makes happen.
What to do when it costs more and takes longer than you thought
It always costs more and takes longer than you think. Four decades of experience tell me that applies to most aspects of life. We don’t like to hear it any more than the ancient Israelites did!
When faced with peril, we can rest with the psalmist in God’s hands
Allstate may have grown its business promising, “You’re in good hands.” But God offers the protection that all people in all ages have needed.
Think there’s not enough? Maybe, instead, you should expect leftovers!
After reading these stories, maybe we should call Jesus the Lord of the leftovers!
How we can protect ourselves against moving from praise to complaint
How long does it take to go from praising God for his deliverance to complaining and blaming God for your problems? If the children of Israel are any barometer, the answer is about three days.
Celebrating deliverance: what to do when the waiting is over
Do we always react with such passion and joy when God answers our prayers? I suspect God might sometimes wonder why he gets a tepid response when he does amazing, even miraculous things to help us.
God leads us to awe and grace through his creation and his Word
Maybe it was while staring at God’s creation that David recalled the truth of God’s Word.
Like children, we receive help when we’re not too proud to ask for it
It is childlike dependence on God that turns God’s heart to reveal more and more of himself and of his strength to those who come to him with open hands and hearts.
When to wait, when to go, how to trust—a challenge for all believers
“God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land.” And sometimes he chooses a longer route for us, too.