Jabez was a better man than his brothers, a man of honor. His mother had named him Jabez (Oh, the pain!), saying, “A painful birth! I bore him in great pain!” Jabez prayed to the God of Israel: “Bless me, O bless me! Give me land, large tracts of land. And provide your personal protection—don’tContinue reading “Don’t be a Pain”
Category Archives: Old Testament
Stay Humble
Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on theContinue reading “Stay Humble”
Lord, Save Me!
But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!”(Matthew 14:30 MSG) Peter remembered the source of his strength when he cried out, “Master, save me!” (Matthew 14:30). After all, it was because of the Master that Peter had steppedContinue reading “Lord, Save Me!”
Please Save Us!
The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:9 NIV) Since the beginning of time, God has promised to save the people He has created because salvation isContinue reading “Please Save Us!”
The Healing Power of Love
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5 NIV) Love has the power to heal us in a way that nothing and nobody can. There’s something about it that helps us overcomeContinue reading “The Healing Power of Love”
Turn the Light On
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (Psalm 119:105 NIV) By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. (Psalm 119:105 MSG) Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible and which celebrates God’s Word, “is used in Jewish traditionContinue reading “Turn the Light On”
The Rising Sun
“Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death,to guide our feet into the path of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79 NIV) For those of us who have had to navigate through some really dark momentsContinue reading “The Rising Sun”
Behind Closed Doors
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6 NIV) “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will rewardContinue reading “Behind Closed Doors”
He Still Shuts the Mouths of Lions
“My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight.” (Daniel 6:22 NIV) Daniel was promoted, but with that promotion came opposition. When his opponents couldn’t find anything wrong with him, they created it. They asked the king to create aContinue reading “He Still Shuts the Mouths of Lions”
Plan on Giving Thanks Daily
I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. (Psalm 9:1 NIV) A few years ago, I started counting my blessings using a “Blessings Jar” that someone had gifted me. Every time I was “blessed” with something, I would write it down and store itContinue reading “Plan on Giving Thanks Daily”
Rising with the Son 