risingwiththeson

Lost and Restored

God, your God, will restore everything you lost. (Deuteronomy 30:3 MSG) God is a restorer. From restoring people who have wondered far away from Him to restoring our peace, hope and joy and right down to trivial matters, nothing is a lost cause for Him. Restoration is what He specializes in. He is a giverContinueContinue reading “Lost and Restored”

Front and Center

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (Psalm 23:5 NIV) God always rewards His servants in public, and I believe that He does it even more so for their enemies to see. By enemies, I mean people who do the devil’s bidding (News flash:ContinueContinue reading “Front and Center”

Back to Basics

Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. (John 21:2-3 NIV) There’s a reason whyContinueContinue reading “Back to Basics”

Glory in Suffering

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4 NIV) Some people don’t want to go through the difficult things you’ve had to go, but they do want the glory that is revealed in you through those sufferings, such as endurance, whichContinueContinue reading “Glory in Suffering”

In God We Trust

In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. (Psalm 25:1-2 NIV) The more we get to know people, the more we begin to realize that they can’t be trusted. Even the best of people are going to disappoint usContinueContinue reading “In God We Trust”

Oh Boy!

His daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and near the time of delivery. When she heard the news that the ark of God had been captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she went into labor and gave birth, but was overcome by her labor pains. As she was dying, the womenContinueContinue reading “Oh Boy!”

Beware of Scammers

A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convincedContinueContinue reading “Beware of Scammers”

For Your Benefit

“Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine.” (John 12:28-30 NIV) Jesus didn’t need to hearContinueContinue reading “For Your Benefit”

Look for the Light

You light a lamp for me. The LORD, my God, lights up my darkness. (Psalm 18:28 NLT) There’s no denying that we’ve been living through some very dark times and are desperately yearning for the light. So did the psalmist in today’s passage. Read at length, Psalm 18 reveals one of David’s darkest moments. ButContinueContinue reading “Look for the Light”

Speak the Language of Love

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. (1 Corinthians 13:1 NIV) Today the church celebrates Pentecost, a profound time in its history when the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles 50 days after Jesus ascended toContinueContinue reading “Speak the Language of Love”