I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels. —Isaiah 61:10, NLT I hope Cody, today’s groom, has been called handsome many times in his life—and will be called handsome many more…
Remember, the LORD is coming soon. —Philippians 4:5b Paul shares this apocalyptic zinger just after having shared this verse for those who love to cheer for God: “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)” Some wonder why Paul stands firm in the…
His sons used to take turns hosting parties in their homes, always inviting their three sisters to join them in their merrymaking. When the parties were over, Job would get up early in the morning and sacrifice a burnt offering for each of his children, thinking, “Maybe one of…
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. —Ephesians 2:10 NKJV I was once told that worship with me as pastor was like a pep rally. This comment came to me indirectly. It was not…
One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up to the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them. —Matthew 5:1 Jesus was popular at this point, the talk of the town. But here, as I read this, Jesus…
Then Esther went again before the king, falling down at his feet and begging him with tears to stop the evil plot devised by Haman the Agagite against the Jews. —Esther 8:3, NLT The term Agagite is used in the Book of Esther to describe Haman, a power-seeking socio-political climber….
Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. —Colossians 4:3 President Trump taken to Walter Reed Hospital. Prayer chain? I received this message (above) in an email at 7:12 PM on Friday, October 2, 2020. This was the…
Then Moses cried out to the LORD, “What should I do with these people? They are ready to stone me!” — Exodus 17:4 Listen for the word ‘then’ in your story. We typically use the word after something significant has happened. Here’s an example. She burns breakfast. The heel on…
On the sixth day they will gather food, and when they prepare it, there will be twice as much as usual. — Exodus 16:5 NLT You are applauded and revered when you know the answer. You also feel good about yourself when you get it right. The flipside of…
When Joseph arrived, he embraced his father and wept, holding him for a long time. —Genesis 46:29b You can picture this scene, can’t you? This father and son, torn apart for decades, are finally reunited. They were like puzzle pieces coming together without the picture on the box’s lid to…
