Sometimes disaster comes upon us so the Lord can use it as a platform for His love, power, mercy and restoration—case in point: Job.
Sometimes it comes upon us because of our own sin. We can repent, and we can change course, though we may endure the consequences of our bad choices.
But sometimes disaster comes upon us as the result of someone (more…)
Resilience was not an aspiration in Achsah’s day. It wasn’t a quality to be fostered. Nor was it a trait for which people received an award at the end of the school year. It was a matter of survival.
Achsah grew up wandering the desert—packing up as the Lord led His people on, facing constant threats from enemies, walking endlessly, longing for (more…)
Forrest Gump would likely summarize James 2:14-26 by saying, “Faith is as faith does.” And one Old Testament woman gives us a beautiful picture of that kind of living, doing faith.
She’s referred to as only “the Shunammite” in reference to her home in Shunem, whose people lived in the light of Israel’s God while simultaneously in the shadow of Baal worship. (more…)
You have been a pariah for more than a decade. Cries of “unclean!” and stares of condemnation follow you everywhere. The social isolation and loneliness add insult to injury. You’ve been bleeding for 12 years, and doctors have done nothing more than bleed your pocket dry.
You’re weak. You’re broken. You’re desperate. You have no money and have earned no sympathy.
But then (more…)
You may not realize it, but you’re faced with a decision that will define your life. Everyone around you is screaming for you to do something you know isn’t the right thing. You want peace, though you realize it comes at a high price.
But one person, one whose opinion should carry significant weight, begs you to ignore the crowds and act (more…)