“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isa 1:18). Warning! Red is used for stop signs, fire engines, street lights. No surprise that God sees our sin like scarlet. But wait—what else is red? “The blood of Jesus […]
“He said to them, ‘I have food to eat of which you do not know…My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work’” (Jn 4:32, 34). The disciples left their Lord weary in body. When they returned, He was refreshed. Had He eaten? Yes! How nourishing to […]
“And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious” (Isa 11:10). “IF God is for us…” A good question to ask: are they my plans and strategies today, or His? Moses […]
“And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him” (1 Jn 4:16). Hard to believe that a “Son of Thunder” wrote the book on love? But that’s the sort of thing God does with people. […]
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Rom 5:3-4). Boxer Mike Tyson said, “Everybody has a plan—until they get punched in the mouth.” But God’s plan works even after the punch! Our troubles are our employees; they work for us (2 […]
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me” (Jn 15:4). Independence in the Christian life is fatal. As Jesus put it, “Without Me…nothing” (v 5). And yet the Vine bears fruit on branches! Let […]
“And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Are all the young men here?’ Then he said, ‘There remains yet the youngest…And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send and bring him…And the Lord said, ‘Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!’” (1 Sam 16:11-12). Jesus saw the possibilities in the overlooked. A publican His first biographer? The woman […]
“And the Lord shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be— “The Lord is one,” and His name one” (Zech 14:9). It’s the sure road to disaster if the driver gets fixated on the bugs on the windshield. We have to look through present distresses and keep our eyes on […]
“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Heb 12:11). Wise people, when hard times hit, don’t only pray, “Lord, make it better.” They also pray, “Lord, in the meantime, make it count.” Don’t […]