I am a friend of God. You’ve probably heard songs making that bold claim. You may have even sung them in worship on Sunday morning. It’s a wonderful concept, and I love the reminder that God is approachable and seeking relationship. But I wonder if God’s definition of friendship matches ours. Are you really living […]
In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly . . . and the Lord remembered her. 1 Samuel 1:10, 19 It’s 6:30am on Wednesday morning. Blog day. I should have something ready to post, but I don’t. I started writing a teaching for you last week—a message on friendship with Jesus—but I […]
Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” Genesis 15:4 NIV I imagine you’ve probably experienced the dull ache of a longing unfulfilled. Life disappoints all of us at some point or another. […]
“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” John 12:24 Death scares most of us. We spend the majority of our lives trying to avoid it. And no wonder. Death represents an end, ceasing to exist […]
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” Matthew 5:14-15 Jesus called you and me the light of the world. It […]
“ . . . no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV “I opened this door.” God whispered the words into my heart one morning in […]
Not again. Clutching my Bible and prayer journal, I retreated to my favorite chair, eager to spend some time with the Lord. Well, that’s what I told myself anyway. I really just wanted to feel better. Here I am, Lord. I scratched the words on the page, searching for where to begin. Worship filtered through […]
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3 On Sunday we celebrated Jesus’ resurrection. A throng of people filled our sanctuary, many dressed in pristine Easter finery. Ushers scurried to find seats, busily lining folding chairs along the walls and aisles […]
And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” Revelation 5:9 Today we celebrate our risen Lord. Jesus. The Word made flesh. Savior. Redeemer. The Son […]
“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me.” John 17:22-23a Feeling stirs my heart as I ponder the words of our opening Scripture today. They flowed from the mouth of Jesus on the night of His arrest. […]
