Good to Wait?
"The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD" (Lamentations 3:25-26 CSB)....
Let's Face It
"And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you" (Matthew 6:16-18). ...
Hananiah or Hananiah?
"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jer 29:11). ...
Bread Alone
"He answered, 'It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God'” (Matt 4:4 CSB)....
Now My Eye Sees You
“I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42: 5-6)....
Clay-Wrapped Vapors: A Call to Humble Ourselves before God
“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning" (Joel 2:12 ESV). ...
Wilderness
Like Israel, we can get so focused on what we want God to do for us tomorrow that we miss what he’s doing for us today. The wilderness, for Israel and for us, is not a place between destinations but a part of the journey. A place where God leads and provides and reveals himself to his people....
Dust and Ashes
When Job lost everything, as was custom, he sat in ashes (Job 2:8). Our culture avoids such blatant expressions of grief. We don’t like to wallow. But the intentionality of the symbol is powerful. Job didn’t pretend all was well when it wasn’t, nor should we. ...
Subtle Idolatry
The first things that comes to our minds when we hear the word “idolatry” are typically little statues, golden calves, and ancient religion. Those are idols of course, but that is far too narrow of a view....
Prejudice
The call to love our neighbor can often be a struggle. Let's face it; some people are easier to love than others. As a result, we often strive to ensure our neighbors look and think a lot like us. It may not be a conscious effort. After all, it's only "natural" to avoid relationships with those who are more challenging to be around. ...
"Grace Works Grace"
Ezekiel 18:2121 "But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die.I am constantly mesmerized by the apparent tension between grace and works in scripture.I am also always learning about the truth of God's character through scripture passages like...
Keep ReadingThere is Hope
Psalm 102:2, 1112 (ESV)Do not hide your face from mein the day of my distress!My days are like an evening shadow;I wither away like grass.But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever;you are remembered throughout allgenerations.Lent is a solemn time of fasting, reflection, and preparation. It is appropriate to reflect on where we need hope in our lives. Our planet is in distress...
Keep Reading