An Amazing Love
The final major historic acts of the Old Testament are described in Ezra and Nehemiah as God allowed the people of Israel to return from exile and resettle in Jerusalem. The City of David was repopulated with Hebrew families, a new temple was built, and the wall was repaired.
And that brings us to Malachi. This prophet, who was most likely a contemporary of Nehemiah, brings the written portion of the Old Testament to a close. Notice the first thing he said to the people of Israel: “ ‘I have loved you,’ says the Lord.” And look at their response: “How…
Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is a reminder to reflect on the love we’ve received since the day we were born, and to show our appreciation for the person who has never stopped loving us.
Mother's Day
Mother’s Day is a reminder to reflect on the love we’ve received since the day we were born, and to show our appreciation for the person who has never stopped loving us. It’s a day to celebrate all that our mothers have done for us.
It has special meaning to Grace and Joshua. When their mother suffered a traumatic brain injury,…
Grace commits
To demonstrate God’s grace to others we need to be fully committed. Today on “Discover the Word,” we continue the story of King David and Mephibosheth. David’s commitment to help Jonathan’s son was the result of a vow he made years before. Another facet of grace’s prism—grace commits. That’s today on “Discover the Word”!
The Same God
People sometimes ask me, “How come the God of the Old Testament seems so cruel and harsh compared to the God of the New Testament?” To answer that question, I start by assuring them that He doesn’t have multiple personalities—the God of the Old and New Testaments is the same God. He’s “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). I then explain that a good God can’t tolerate sin—an uncomfortable truth for some to acknowledge.
Storms on the Horizon
Our son, Josh, is a commercial salmon fisherman in Kodiak, Alaska. Some time ago he sent me a photograph he took of a tiny vessel a few hundred yards ahead of his boat moving through a narrow pass. Ominous storm clouds loom on the horizon. But a rainbow, the sign of God’s providence and loving care, stretches from one side of the pass to the other, encircling the little boat.
The photograph reflects our earthly voyage: We sail into an uncertain future, but we are surrounded by the faithfulness of God!
Jesus’ disciples were surrounded by a storm, and He used the…
In Jesus’ Love
In Jesus’ Love. He closed his email message with those words. And as I read them, I realized how poignant they were. For this young man—who I had seen come to a saving faith in Jesus, who I’d baptized, whose faith was maturing—was back home for a stay in his birth country, a place not known for kindness toward believers in Jesus. He mentioned receiving “strange looks” from nationals as he prayed before his meal in a restaurant, the coolness his friend showed toward his faith, and that he was lonely. So I strived to encourage him by writing, “I’m so…
Drawn in by grace
Have you ever felt like an outsider? And has anyone ever drawn you into their “circle” making you feel like you belonged? Today on “Discover the Word,” we look at another way that grace is like a prism—it invites. How the story of King David and Mephibosheth encourages us to always ask, “Who can I show grace to?” A revealing part of the series “Grace Prisms” today on “Discover the Word”!
Now that I have been game free for over a week I began writing in my journal again. I was reminded of God's promise at the beginning of the year Psalm 91:14–16. I made it personal and added healthy. "Because you have set your love on Me, therefore will I deliver you. I will set you on high because you have known My name. You shall call on Me and I will answer you; I will be with you in trouble; I will deliver you and honor you. With long, [healthy,] life I will satisfy you and show you My Salvation."
Addiction is a terrible blight on humanity. I have been prayed for many times, given it up several times and it is only God who gets the glory this time!Whether it is spending money, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, food, lust, etc., it controls one's life. It is a huge bondage, but Jesus came to set us free! He is the only One Who can deliver! Oh Lord how awesome You are! Thank You – how can I ever thank You enough! Oh that Your Spirit, Holy Spirit, would control my life!
Prism of grace
Grace is like a prism. It reflects the many ways that God bends Himself in our direction to show His love. Today on “Discover the Word,” we begin a study called, “Grace Prisms” with the story of King David and Mephibosheth. Hard name to say, and an even harder story to grasp in light of the Old Testament’s “kill or be killed” culture. “Grace Prisms”—join the study . . . today on “Discover the Word”!
Don’t Hesitate
Scientists conducted a social experiment with two groups of commuters at a train station. They asked one group to start conversations with their seatmates. They instructed the other group to remain silent. The commuters who talked while traveling said they had a “more positive experience” than those who did not. Initially, commuters believed starting a conversation would be hard, but they found that most people were happily willing to talk.
Greater than the Mess
A major theme of the Old Testament book of 2 Samuel could easily be “Life is a mess!” It has all the elements of a blockbuster TV miniseries. As David sought to establish his rule as king of Israel, he faced military challenges, political intrigue, and betrayal by friends and family members. And David himself was certainly not without guilt as his relationship with Bathsheba clearly showed (chs. 11–12).
Yet near the end of 2 Samuel we find David’s song of praise to God for His mercy, love, and deliverance. “You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into…
