Pray and Be Transformed by His Peace
“And don’t say anything you don’t mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, ‘I’ll pray for you,’ and never doing it, or saying, ‘God be with you,’ and not meaning it”—Matthew 5:33(MSG). It has taken me years to follow faithfully through on my promises to pray for others when asked. I still fail, sometimes. I’ve learned a secret. Pray right then. Right now. Whether in public or private, I stop and pray, because if I don’t, I forget. Inserted inside my Bible …
Clinging to the One Who Never Changes
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”—Hebrews 13:8(NIV). If we need a reminder of the changes that have occurred in our world, we only need to study history. One can also read newspaper headlines or listen to the daily news. Nothing stays the same. If it did, there would be no news to report. A recent post on Facebook reminded me of how times have changed since I was born and maybe since your birth. The list was long, but here are a few of the mind-boggling changes mentioned: Did you think in 1998 that three years …
When You’re Called by Jesus
Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him. Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles—Mark 3:13-14a (NLT). Currently, I’m reading through the gospels again. I love the similarities and differences found in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John because they reveal a more complete picture of the life of Jesus. While each one is concerned with the same historical events—the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ—they present different versions of these events. We get distinct viewpoints because characters are portrayed from …
Searching for Significance in a Broken World
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart”—Jeremiah 29:13(CSB). Social media has created a world where people can publicly and shamelessly promote themselves. From U-Tube videos to live-streaming on Facebook, many seek significance in a broken world. And it’s not just celebrities. Watching young people constantly posting selfies breaks my heart. I understand their struggles, including feelings of worthlessness. They want to know they’re loved, wanted, and needed. They’re searching for significance. Seeking to be known, people often choose paths that lead to self-destruction. Today, where more connections are made online than …
Discovering Where You Belong and to Whom
“Great blessings belong to those who know they are spiritually in need. God’s kingdom belongs to them”— Matthew 5:3(ERV). Two words describe my immediate feelings when I see a homeless person walking down the road: grateful and blessed, followed by a prayer for the person. If the area is safe, I stop and offer money or food, depending on the place and time. I often wonder, “Where does he or she belong? What is their story? Of course, I never ask. God has increasingly placed it on my heart to help the homeless. In the past, I would have judged …
Learning Patience Leads to a Mature Faith
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience”—Colossians 3:12 (NIV). In a recent conversation with an acquaintance, we were discussing our grandchildren. We both questioned why we were more patient with them than we were with their parents. Yes, we are older, and hopefully have more wisdom, but does that mean patience follows? Not necessarily. I’ve observed grandparents in public with some of their grands. Not all are calm when their children’s offspring act out. I’ve seen them lose their temper, yelling at a child until he or she begins …
Recover Your Life with Jesus’ Help
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly”—Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG). Packing. Moving. Unpacking. I questioned, once again, “Why did I have so much stuff?” It’s not the first time I’ve moved in almost 20 years. It’s the sixth time. I …
Jesus Can Make All Things New Each Day
“He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true”—Revelation 21:5 (NIV). The New Year is here! After the stresses of 2020, I doubt anyone wants to cling to the past. With the turning of the calendar to January 2021, sighs of relief were probably expressed by many. Have you made any New Year’s resolutions? While I used to, I don’t anymore. My list used to look something like this: lose weight, eat healthier, save more money, etc. Those are also some of the …
Called to Be a Light in a Dark World
“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness”—John 12:46 (ESV). Although I’ve never watched the television show, it draws millions of viewers. Each episode of “The Great Christmas Light Fight” features different families or groups that create elaborate Christmas light displays. Chosen in advance by the producers, the contestants’ displays are judged on three categories: use of lights, overall design, and Christmas spirit. After judges review each display, a winner is chosen and is the recipient of $50,000 and a trophy. That’s a lot of money. I’m sure it …