In Times of Doubt

John’s followers told John everything that was being said about Jesus. So he sent two of them to ask the Lord, “Are you the one we should be looking for? Or must we wait for someone else?” (Luke 7:18-19 CEV) Even the great preacher had his times of doubt. When Jesus didn’t bring the resultsContinueContinue reading “In Times of Doubt”

Behold His Salvation

“For my eyes have seen Your Salvation.” (Luke 2:30 AMP) God had revealed to Simeon, a man whom Scripture describes as “righteous and devout…[who was] looking for the Consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him…that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed)” (Luke 2:25-26).ContinueContinue reading “Behold His Salvation”

First Impressions

Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. (John 1:45-46 NIV) First impressions are often misleading. When I firstContinueContinue reading “First Impressions”

Facing Our Fears

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NIV) Joshua had big shoes to fill. After Moses’ death, Joshua went from being Moses’ assistant to becoming his successor. Therefore, it was Joshua,ContinueContinue reading “Facing Our Fears”

Saving the Best for Last

When the host tasted the water that had become wine (he didn’t know what had just happened but the servants, of course, knew), he called out to the bridegroom, “Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you’ve saved the bestContinueContinue reading “Saving the Best for Last”

Nothing Will Do

So Abraham said, “If they won’t pay attention to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even to someone who comes back from the dead.” (Luke 16:31 CEV) I once thought that knowledgeable preachers were capable of convincing many people to follow Christ, but as they themselves testify, that isn’t always the case. In LukeContinueContinue reading “Nothing Will Do”

Responding to Calamities

When Job heard this, he tore his clothes and shaved his head because of his great sorrow. He knelt on the ground, then worshiped God and said: “We bring nothing at birth; we take nothing with us at death. The LORD alone gives and takes. Praise the name of the LORD!” In spite of everything,ContinueContinue reading “Responding to Calamities”

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”