The God of All Grace

Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen and support you after you have suffered a little while. – 1 Peter 5:10

This verse jumped out at me as I read through my Sunday school lesson a few weeks ago, so I immediately wrote it on an index card (more…)

That Watched Pot

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.—Isaiah 40:31

Waiting on the Lord to answer a prayer request can be like watching a pot that seemingly never comes to a boil. Everything in your meal hinges on (more…)

It’s Okay Not to be Okay

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.—Ephesians 6:2

Most of us put a bit of time into getting ready for church—primping, dressing, making sure our brood looks like the poster family for Christianity. We put our church faces on and we smile. As people pass us and politely ask how we are, we respond, “I’m fine, thanks,” whether (more…)

Rebounding from Failure

And when they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah put out his hand to take hold of the ark, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God. And David was angry because the (more…)

Giving Thanks in All Circumstances

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

We think of Thanksgiving as a time to give thanks for our blessings, but sometimes the holidays don’t bring to mind thoughts of abundance. They instead remind us of loss and want.

The empty chair that just a year ago was filled. That familiar (more…)