We sometimes confuse the word “blessed” with “happy.” Listen, trials will not make us happy. But they will bring about the blessing of greater strength and spiritual maturity. When we stand the test—when we hold to our faith even in the face of great pressure and conflict—to us will come…
I confess, when someone repeatedly asks me for the same information, I can get a little impatient. I am so glad God does not get impatient with my questions. Because I ask a lot of them. And I love that He gives generously and ungrudgingly to ALL who ask. He…
HYMN DAY! “Be Thou My Vision” was originally a 6th-century poem written by Irish poet Dallen Forgaill. The stanzas were translated by Mary Byrne, and the result is a beloved hymn that truly reads like a prayer. 1 Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; naught be all…
Have you ever felt like snapping at someone, “Grow up!”? (Maybe someone has snapped it at you…heh, heh, heh.) James was kind of telling his readers, Listen, folks, it’s time to grow from baby Christians to maturity. From the day we receive Christ until our final breath, we should grow…
I realize we’ve been in James before, but…really…can a person get too much of James and his wisdom? I see James as a primer for living a triumphant Christian life, so we’re going to revisit him. Raise your hand if you celebrate when hardship comes. (I don’t expect any raised…
MY God (personal!) will supply every NEED (necessary for spiritual growth) according to HIS RICHES (unfathomable!) in glory in CHRIST JESUS (the Savior of the world!). I wrote in my journal next to this verse: “He never leaves me in want of His love, grace, guidance, presence. But I have…
Philippians 4:13 (the last sentence above) is a pretty well-known verse. I hear it used most often as a kind of chant of encouragement when someone is facing a challenge from small to large. Unfortunately, it’s sometimes used as a replacement for personal effort—kind of a “Bail me out, God,”…
A.E. Hoffman penned these words in 1887, and they are as true today as they were then. You could read “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” as a prayer. 1 What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms; what a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning…
There’s a whole lot of discontentment around us. Mostly because people try to find their contentment in temporary things or relationships. “Temporary” means it will not last. Even the most quality of purchases eventually breaks, wears out, or can be replaced with a “better” model; humans come and go either…
When you’re down in the dumps or in the midst of a heartache, doesn’t it give your spirit a lift if someone expresses concern for you? A card, a kind word, a hug…these are little things, but they can make a big impact. 1 Corinthians 13 includes this familiar snippet:…
