Tag Archives: hope

Strength in the Chaos

On an old ballfield back in the early days, some coach for the first time said, “Focus on what you can control and not what you can’t.” Many of us have repeated the same instructions to young players frustrated with … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Life | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Word of the Week – Hope

Daily news, endless media negativity, and the actions of people can leave one feeling discouraged about the future. Even worse, during these recent weeks, the voices of encouragement have been drowned out by those who profit from fear. So, in … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Life | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Why “Running the Race” is More Than a Sprint OR Marathon

It’s been said that the race of faith isn’t a sprint but a marathon. However, I submit that it’s neither sprint nor marathon, because in truth it’s more like an endurance race. To be clear, I mean no disrespect to … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Life | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Trust for the Future

The idea of “the future” invokes many emotions, hopes, worries, dreams, and personal questions. Some try not to think about it at all, while others are captivated by its promise. To be clear, there’s a certain end result as revealed … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What’s True in the Light is True in the Dark

It’s been said, “What’s true in the light is true in the dark.” and it’s a timely reminder. Not only is there a push now to accept immorality, but an increasing demand to celebrate it. Even some prominent church leaders … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Friday We Call Good

Each year, I’m reminded of a Friday in 2012 when a small group of us were in Munich, Germany visiting the grounds of the Dachau Concentration Camp. After walking through the various displays, I looked out across the main part … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Life | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Not Forsaken

There are points on the journey when the “weather” of life can go from clear and sunny to dark and stormy. Those are the exact times when the words of Psalm 9 are most applicable. Somehow, making the decision to speak … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Advent – Week 1 – Hope

The familiar people we read about this time of year (Mary, Joseph, Zacharias, Elizabeth, Simeon, and Anna) were considered faithful before miraculous events unfolded. In other words, they were found righteous in a setting where Gentiles ruled Israel, a tyrant … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Elements of Trust

“Confidence” and “expectation” are elements of “trust”. When it comes to people, to place trust in someone is to have confidence or expectations regarding their character. The interesting question is, “What produces the confidence or expectation?” Does it come from … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Giving Thanks…

I love Thanksgiving. To me, it marks the official beginning of “the most wonderful time of the year”. As we gather with family and friends, Psalm 100 seems especially appropriate:  “Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Deep Sense of Contentment

What does sufficiency mean for a disciple? The word “sufficient” means “needed amount”, or “wanted amount”; and in life, there are lots of needs and wants. For example, food and water are needed to live, and of course, humans are … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pleasing Aromas

Do you like the smell of cookies baking? Steaks grilling? Fresh coffee brewing? How about your wife’s perfume or husband’s aftershave? In life, there are emotions, memories, and mental images tied to aromas and fragrances. In 2 Corinthians 2:12-17 Paul … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Love is…

The word “love” is often used carelessly. In the Bible, however, the word love carries much more weight than just feelings that come and go, it involves an act of the will. It describes a “decided” love between people, love … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Lord’s Day 11-11-18

“The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” – … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wisdom 10.28

“The hope of the righteous will be gladness, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.” – Proverbs 10:28 NKJV A believer has many reasons to expect a better future, and hope connected to the things of God produces an … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Revealed

Logic can be dangerous concerning spiritual things. Not because reason must be set aside for faith, but because it’s according to “something” or “someone”. In the case of spiritual matters, reason according to God is the only rationale worth pursuing; … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Embracing the Cross

The cross is foolishness to those who don’t believe. It was true in the first century and still true today. Perhaps that’s why some preachers try to make the gospel more palatable and sophisticated for those who consider themselves above … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Enriched

Ever noticed phrases like “Enriched with…” or “Fortified with…” on food products? For example, vitamins, minerals or fiber are included to provide something not naturally present. In a similar way, Christ has provided many things not naturally present in us … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Question of Timing

Joseph was done wrong. First he was sold into slavery, then imprisoned by a false accusation. While confined in the Egyptian prison, Joseph interpreted the dreams of two officials who were being punished by Pharaoh. When one of them got … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Word Fitly Spoken

Who needs you today? As Paul was building on his statement to be “living sacrifices”, he mentioned this: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” – Romans 12:15 NKJV So who needs you today? You have the … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment