Why Good Things Happen to Bad People

For many of us, life doesn’t seem fair. Godly people are unable to conceive, or they lose their beloved children. We see the righteous die young. They experience hardship and devastation. But it becomes more difficult to process how bad things happen to good people as we see good things happening to bad people. How? Why?

You are always righteous, Lord, when (more…)

The Patience of . . . Noah?

And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him. Noah was 600 years old when the floodwaters came on the earth—Genesis 7:5-6

When we think about a biblical role model for patience, our minds naturally go to Job, the character who inspired the saying “the patience of Job.” Few of us would have remained so steadfast in the face of so much loss. (more…)

The Power of Praise

Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, and they were defeated . . . And the fear of God was on was on all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of (more…)

It’s Not Your Job to Rebuke the Devil

But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”—Jude 1:9

Years ago, while I was in the thick of a trial that didn’t seem to go away, a friend gave what she felt was helpful advice. “Rebuke the devil!” (more…)

Deliberate Acts of Kindness

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. – Colossians 3:12

For a while there everyone was talking about random acts of kindness. You hold open a door or return something that someone drops, and you can call yourself the Hero of the Day. Time to buy a cape.

But let’s take take (more…)