We overestimate how much we can do. Or how much depends on us. And then, we foolishly make that (our ability) the measure of that person’s worth. I recently watched a documentary on Stephon Marbury. He’s a former NBA basketball player who was cut 5 years ago by an NBA team. Since then, he went […]
Psalm 64:1,10–1 Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy…. 10 Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him! Let all the upright in heart exult! Much like a movie, life can be seen a certain way in the beginning, […]
As I’m sitting on the couch of my house writing this devotional, I see my girls playing with the toys they opened yesterday for Christmas. As almost every year, it’s an embarrassment of riches that I witness when I see them go through piles of gifts from family and friends. And what I read this […]
I used to think Christian salvation in terms of heaven. Being saved is receiving a ticket to heaven. And so, until we get to heaven, we do our best to not lose our ticket by being a good Christian (such as not smoking, drinking, fornicating, etc). But Jesus sees salvation very differently. He sees salvation, among […]
James 5:11–Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. Today I had the opportunity to attend a funeral for a friend’s father. All three of his son’s spoke concerning what they […]
When I was in Indonesia, one of the difficult questions that the missionaries had to answer was when a muslim becomes a Christian, does he have to let his family know. Because that will essentially cut him off from his family. It might even mean death. It will certainly mean being disowned and being cut off […]
Isaiah 5:20–Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! One of the things that I try and instill in my own fight against sin, as well as correcting, disciplining, or encouraging my kids, is […]
For many, Christmas time is a reminder of what they don’t have and thus a sad time. Perhaps, it is like that for you. While most others seem to be eagerly awaiting the arrival of the day, you are eager to get it over with. You don’t want any more reminders… That was true of […]
Christmas is in the air! Every radio station is playing the Christmas music, every store decorated, many houses lit up, Christmas cards are flowing in, toy stores are crowded, and children are excited. It is hard to dislike this time of the year. It is easily my favorite season of the year. But the very first Christmas […]
Numbers 22:11-13-‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and it covers the face of the earth. Now come, curse them for me.Perhaps I shall be able to fight against them and drive them out.’” 12 God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.” […]