A Thrill of Hope

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5 NIV) Christmas is the season of perpetual hope. It began on that first Christmas when Israel was expecting a King who would deliver them fromContinueContinue reading “A Thrill of Hope”

Praying for Those Who Hurt Us

After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.   (Job 42:10 NIV) I wonder what Job’s reaction was when God told him to pray for his friends, who we know were no friends at all. All the Bible tells us isContinueContinue reading “Praying for Those Who Hurt Us”

He is Touched by Your Faith!

While people were crowding and pressing against Him, Jesus stopped and asked the question, “Who touched me?” (Luke 8:45). Then Peter jumped in with his two cents, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you” (v.45). But Jesus wasn’t referring to just any touch, so He explained, “Someone touched me; I know that powerContinueContinue reading “He is Touched by Your Faith!”

Resurrection Moment

The devil thought he had won. Jesus was as good as dead, or so he thought. Then something happened that even the devil didn’t see coming – Jesus came back to life…stronger. There comes a time when this resurrection moment becomes a part of the Christian’s life. You experience a death of sorts and theContinueContinue reading “Resurrection Moment”

Resurrected and Restored

My Bible reading plan, which I’ve been following for many years now, took me back to the story of the Shunammite woman whose son Elisha brought back to life. But this time around, God revealed something new to me. I found it interesting that her resurrection story moved the king who heard it so muchContinueContinue reading “Resurrected and Restored”

You’re Better Off With Him

But she said, “Don’t call me Naomi; call me Bitter. The Strong One has dealt me a bitter blow. I left here full of life, and God has brought me back with nothing but the clothes on my back. Why would you call me Naomi? God certainly doesn’t. The Strong One ruined me.” (Ruth 1:20-21ContinueContinue reading “You’re Better Off With Him”

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”

My Type of Music

And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. (Romans 16:20 AMPC) I love to sing about God’s love and goodness in my life, but for a long time, spiritual warfare has been my type of music. You know, songs about warfare and victory which talk about God’s power and Satan’s finalContinueContinue reading “My Type of Music”

Rising with the Son

We are more than conquerors through [Christ] who loved us. (Romans 8:37 NIV) It’s been nine years since I launched a personal blog on Facebook. At first, “Rising with the Son” sounded like a catchy title for a Christian book I intended to publish. I still remember brainstorming a bunch of titles with my friendContinueContinue reading “Rising with the Son”