“On the very day when the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, the opposite occurred, in that the Jews themselves overpowered those who hated them.”— Esther 9:1 (NKJV) There is something breathtaking about those words: the opposite occurred. Three months ago, I found myself reflecting on the Book of Esther—especially the momentContinueContinue reading “My Personal Purim”
Author Archives: risingwiththeson
Journey to the Resurrection
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. – Philippians 3:10-11 (KJV) For many years, this Scripture was my daily prayer. But there came a season whenContinueContinue reading “Journey to the Resurrection”
Unburned
“He said, ‘Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.’So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies,ContinueContinue reading “Unburned”
For Such a Time as This
“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, IContinueContinue reading “For Such a Time as This”
New Beginnings
“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” — Isaiah 43:19 (NLT) How is your new year going? Does it truly feel new, or are you still dwelling onContinueContinue reading “New Beginnings”
A Mountain Year
“‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.'” – Zechariah 4:6 (NIV) This year felt like climbing mountains I never planned to face. Some days I barely moved upward, and other days I slipped and wondered if I’d ever reach the top. The climb was exhausting, and there were moments IContinueContinue reading “A Mountain Year”
Unto Us a Child is Born
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” — Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) Can the birth of a child change our lives for the better? I believe it can.ContinueContinue reading “Unto Us a Child is Born”
Silent Night
“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” – Luke 2:12 (NIV) The first Christmas was anything but silent. From the cry of a newborn, to the lowing of cattle in the manger, to the unexpected arrival of shepherds, the night was surelyContinueContinue reading “Silent Night”
The Gift of Light
The people living in darknesshave seen a great light;on those living in the land of the shadow of deatha light has dawned.— Matthew 4:16 (NIV) The greatest gift we have been given is the gift of God’s Light—Jesus Himself. Just as His light was desperately needed that first Christmas, it is still needed today, perhapsContinueContinue reading “The Gift of Light”
The Gift of His Presence
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).—Matthew 1:23 (NIV) For four hundred years, heaven was silent. There were no prophetic words, no visions—only waiting. God’s people longed for a messenger, someone who would speak on His behalf as He had doneContinueContinue reading “The Gift of His Presence”
Rising with the Son 