“After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.” — Hosea 6:2 (NIV) Have you ever noticed how often the “third day” appears throughout Scripture? When God asked Abraham to offer Isaac, it was after a three-day journey that they arrived atContinueContinue reading “The God of the Third Day”
Category Archives: Old Testament
Create in Me a Clean Heart
“Generous in love—God, give grace!Huge in mercy—wipe out my bad record.Scrub away my guilt, soak out my sins in your laundry.I know how bad I’ve been; my sins are staring me down…Soak me in your laundry and I’ll come out clean,scrub me and I’ll have a snow-white life.”— Psalm 51:1–3, 7 (MSG) It’s that timeContinueContinue reading “Create in Me a Clean Heart”
My Personal Purim
“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”
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”
A Star Shall Rise
“I see him, but not here and now.I perceive him, but far in the distant future.A star will rise from Jacob;a scepter will emerge from Israel.”— Numbers 24:17 (NLT) Many people rise to stardom, only to fade just as quickly. Like shooting stars, their brilliance is captivating but brief. Yet from ancient times, Scripture foretoldContinueContinue reading “A Star Shall Rise”
Here to Dwell
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”— John 1:14 (NIV) Since ancient times, people have tried to contain God’s presence within a physical place. King David longed to buildContinueContinue reading “Here to Dwell”
Rising with the Son 