Don’t be a Pain

 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”

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”

See a Need, Meet a Need

The man went into the Temple with them, walking back and forth, dancing and praising God. Everybody there saw him walking around and praising God. They recognized him as the one who sat begging at the Temple’s Gate Beautiful and rubbed their eyes, astonished, scarcely believing what they were seeing. The man threw his armsContinue reading “See a Need, Meet a Need”

God is For You, Not Against You

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (2 Kings 6:16 NIV) The prophet Elisha could see what his own servant couldn’t see: God was for them, not against them. When the army of the king of Aram surrounded the city in order toContinue reading “God is For You, Not Against You”

For Your Benefit

 “Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine.” (John 12:28-30 NIV) Jesus didn’t need to hearContinue reading “For Your Benefit”

He Makes Wrong Things Right

Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25 NIV) I’ve been thinking a lot more about justice lately. Abraham’s words come to mind,Continue reading “He Makes Wrong Things Right”

Maranatha!

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20 NIV) After witnessing the apocalypse, the apostle John longed for that day and prayed, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus,” and this has been the believer’s prayer ever since. It’s the desire of every follower of Christ to beContinue reading “Maranatha!”