I love reading the lyrical language of the King James Version, but I have a whole shelf of Bibles in various translations because sometimes I need a little further clarification for a verse’s meaning. The Message translates this scripture in this way: “I follow your directions, abide by your counsel;…
Every now and then I have the privilege of leading women’s retreats. My favorite presentation includes building a “rock altar” of memories of the times God acted on our behalf. Each of those events—an answered prayer, a peace beyond description, an open…or a closed…door—are pieces of the testimony He is…
HYMN DAY! You should be familiar with this one: “My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less” by Edward Mote. Is this true? Then sing it loud and strong! My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean…
The New Living Bible translates this verse to “Those who love your laws have great peace of heart and mind and do not stumble.” When we love something, we protect it, do we not? If we love God’s law (His Word), then we should want to guard it. We should…
“Seven times a day I do praise thee…” Ouch. How often is this statement true? Most days, I confess, I get so wrapped up in life in general that praising the Lord gets pushed to the end of the to-do list. But, in retrospect, each day holds at the very…
Love for His law is the first step toward wisdom. Love for His law molds us into Christ-like behavior. Hating those things that bring destruction and separation from Christ is appropriate, but that doesn’t mean we hate people. God never hates people. His law tells us clearly that we are…
Several years ago, our area of Kansas suffered horrendous prairie fires. The fires lasted for days, and at one point we were instructed to evacuate our home. When you’re told, “Get out now,” you figure out pretty quickly what is really important to you. Everything that we “store up” down…
HYMN DAY! The words to “Trust and Obey” by John H. Sammis hold such wonderful advice! When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all…
When in question or doubt, there is one place we can always go for direction: God’s word. It contains nothing but truth. It provides us with wisdom. The guidelines given are in place to protect us from living in shame and self-recrimination. His nature is just, so we know we…
I think most of us, no matter how long we’ve walked with the Lord, can recall periods of time when we questioned God’s presence. Circumstances sometimes challenge our faith. Ill treatment from fellow believers can tempt us to distance ourselves from Christians, and therefore from God. But something—or rather Someone—always…
