risingwiththeson

Finding Strength in God

David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God. (1 Samuel 30:6 NIV) While reading First Samuel chapter 30, I found myself drawn to the last sentence in verse six, “ButContinueContinue reading “Finding Strength in God”

Confronting Our Bullies

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” (1 Samuel 17:45 NIV) No one seems to have an answer to bullying these days. Helpless kidsContinueContinue reading “Confronting Our Bullies”

I Told You So

Oh, that my people would listen to me! Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths! (Psalm 81:13 NLT) God’s ancient people wouldn’t listen to Him or pay attention to His warnings. So He let them be in order that they would learn to listen the hard way. “Listen to me, O myContinueContinue reading “I Told You So”

In Who Do You Place Your Trust?

“Let there be a treaty between me and you,” he said, “as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you a gift of silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me.” (1 Kings 15:19 NIV) Israel’s ancient kings often madeContinueContinue reading “In Who Do You Place Your Trust?”

You Live and Learn

These things happened to them as a warning to us. All this was written in the Scriptures to teach us who live in these last days. (1 Corinthians 10:11 CEV) Mistakes are inevitable. However, as unpleasant as they might be, they can actually teach us something, if we let them. As a family member wouldContinueContinue reading “You Live and Learn”

Know Your Real Boss

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. (Colossians 3:23 NLT) A professed atheist once said that one of the things that he liked about Christianity was the idea of doing something with all your heart, but I don’t think he really knew why thatContinueContinue reading “Know Your Real Boss”

Warning Markers

These are all warning markers—DANGER!—in our history books, written down so that we don’t repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel—they at the beginning, we at the end—and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fallContinueContinue reading “Warning Markers”

Onesimus

I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. (Philemon 10-11 NLT) The name Onesimus means “useful.” In his letter toContinueContinue reading “Onesimus”

Weak but Strong

But he replied, “My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak I am. Yes, I am glad to be weak or insulted or mistreated or to have troubles and sufferings, if it is forContinueContinue reading “Weak but Strong”

Confronting Closed Doors

Paul and his friends went through Phrygia and Galatia, but the Holy Spirit would not let them preach in Asia. After they arrived in Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not let them. (Acts 16:6-7 CEV) As a new graduate, I was thrilled by the prospect of aContinueContinue reading “Confronting Closed Doors”