There is one who is always there when we call. Psalm 138: 3 expressed it this way: “On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.”

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.

Sure, you’re busy with many important activities, but how do your actions reflect the beliefs you proclaim as you worship today? This week’s posts challenge us to get on with God’s work because we have faith in him. Take a few minutes from your busyness to reread and share some of these posts.

My friend spoke of chaos and his decision to step into it in order to serve Christ and his church. In a way he reminds me of the choice Mary made.

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.

In a week when many are counting their blessings, this week we’ve concentrated on the believer’s greatest blessings of all. Which of these posts especially increased your gratitude quotient? Maybe you know someone who would be encouraged by that post as well!

A study of Francis Chan’s book makes me wonder how willing I am to seek and submit to the Spirit’s power every day.

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.

Read these excerpts as a reminder of the hope and challenge available at this site every day. Choose one or two of these posts to read again. And decide who else you know who’d like to know more about this blog.

What will you put at the top of your gratitude list this Thanksgiving? One item in my Top 10 will surely be “I haven’t come down with COVID-19.” Which goes to show you just how inadequate my thanksgiving list is!

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.