“About three in the afternoon, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘My God, My God, why have you forsaken me.’” Matthew 27:47 (NIV) Excruciating pain pulsated with each weakened beat of His heart. His back ached against the coarse cross. Splinters dug into His skin with every move. His hands, sides and feet burned…
Category: Submission
Mary’s Treaures, Part III
“Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” Matthew 1:18 NIV Joseph was a righteous man. He obviously was a man possessing a great amount of self-control. First, when hearing of Mary’s pregnancy he knew he couldn’t…
Mary’s Treasures, Part I
“The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you,’” Luke 1:28 NIV The young Mary was startled and scared at the sudden appearance of an angel. She hadn’t received a written notice of Gabriel’s impending arrival. Her mother probably never instructed her on how to…
Wise Men, Part III
“Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, of frankincense, and of myrrh.” Matthew 2:11b, NIV After bowing down and worshipping Jesus, I knew it was time to present my gift to God’s Son. Excitement coursed throughout my body as I knelt before the boy, gently lifting my gift from the…
False Voices
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8, NIV) Satan slithered up and spoke with a simple, soothing voice, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree…
Faithfully Facing Uncertainty, Part IV
“He said to his servants, ‘Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.’” Genesis 22:5 NIV When Abraham decided to follow God, he was a relative newcomer to faith. He did not come from a godly heritage. He…
Faithfully Facing Uncertainty, Part II
“She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ she said, ‘I have seen the One who sees me.’” Genesis 16:13 NIV Pregnant. Abused. Alone. Out of fear, she fled to the desert. She carried a barren soul to a barren landscape. As a servant,…
Faithfully Facing Uncertainty, Part I
“He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11 NIV, emphasis mine. Read Daniel 1 and 6. He was the guy who did everything right. You know, that guy. The one hated by seemingly everyone else for being so perfect. The one everyone else was jealous of but…
Lessons From Tipper, Part I: Choosing To Follow
How a nine-week-old puppy demonstrates how we are to follow God.
Words
“Lord, even before I speak a word, you know all about it.” Psalm 139:4 NIRV I read the words on the screen before me. They cut very deeply. I knew the judgment was not accurate but that didn’t quell the pain rising inside me. Anger flowed through my veins. But I knew my immediate…