risingwiththeson

A Tribute to a Special Teacher

He spent his days in the Temple teaching… All the people were up at the crack of dawn to come to the Temple and listen to him. (Luke 21:37-38 MSG) I’ve had many influential teachers over the years whose names I can recall to this day. Not long ago, I had the pleasure of seeingContinueContinue reading “A Tribute to a Special Teacher”

Slow Learners

“Don’t you understand yet?” Jesus asked. (Matthew 15:16 NLT) The disciples were slow learners, and oftentimes, I am too. God allows me to go through something and I still don’t seem to understand the reason behind it. But like the disciples, I’m not afraid to ask for an explanation and true to His character, GodContinueContinue reading “Slow Learners”

Your Kingdom Come

“This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in Heaven…Your kingdom come.” (Matthew 6:9-10 NIV) I came across a fascinating quote while walking in the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World (see picture below). If you’ve been there, you’ll know what Walt Disney meant. There’s something “magical,” if you will, about being there.ContinueContinue reading “Your Kingdom Come”

A Time of Peace

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. (Acts 9:31 NIV) After a period of intense persecution, the whole Christian body finally enjoyed a time of peace. We find this consistent pattern throughout the Scriptures. No matter how much pain and trouble God’s people experienced, He also let them enjoyContinueContinue reading “A Time of Peace”

Give It Up

Later, Jesus met the man in the temple and told him, “You are now well. But don’t sin anymore or something worse might happen to you.” (John 5:14 CEV) Sin tied him up for thirty-eight years. His only hope was that as he sat by the pool in Bethesda, someone would help him get intoContinueContinue reading “Give It Up”

Your Best Advocate

Only you can say that I am innocent, because only your eyes can see the truth. (Psalm 17:2 CEV) Have you ever been wrongfully accused or judged for something that you did or didn’t do? What did you do about it? If you’re like me, you probably spent your time and energy trying to explainContinueContinue reading “Your Best Advocate”

Know Your Boundaries

You set a boundary they cannot cross. (Psalm 104:9 NIV) Isn’t it funny how someone can get mad and speed past you, but you all end up at the same red light together? No matter how careless someone might be on the road, they still have to obey the law. It’s called boundaries. God hasContinueContinue reading “Know Your Boundaries”

Getting Rid of Jesus?

The chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses were looking for a way to get rid of Jesus, because they were afraid of what the people might do. (Luke 22:2 CEV) Today, there are still people who try to get rid of Jesus. Besides taking God and prayer out of public schools,ContinueContinue reading “Getting Rid of Jesus?”

The Forty-Day Challenge

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. (Matthew 4:1-2 NLT) “What’s the significance of the number forty in the Bible?” someone once asked me, as they began to recount its various occurrences inContinueContinue reading “The Forty-Day Challenge”

Humility vs. Pride

Too much pride can put you to shame. It’s wiser to be humble. (Proverbs 11:2 CEV) Throughout the Bible, humility stands out in sharp contrast to pride, which should make us want to choose humility over pride, but being human, it’s easier said than done. The only time the Bible permits pride is in JeremiahContinueContinue reading “Humility vs. Pride”