Latest writing
July 18, 2022
Our world, created and managed by God, is structured to meet the physical needs of all creatures, including humanity. But, as Matthew 6:26 declares, human beings are much more valuable than animals or birds. For this reason, we can trust God to superintend the seasons of life for our overall wellness.
June 16, 2022
As we have the ability to move from place to place easily by car, plane or train for business or pleasure, we may think traveling is a modern-day phenomenon. However, a closer look at Scripture shows us that travel and journeys are major themes in the Bible. Throughout both the Old and News Testaments, individuals such as Abram, Jesus and Paul, for example, regularly traveled.
We can learn much from Scripture for our journeying, whether for pleasure or purpose. In particular, the theme of travel and journeys can be applied to our spiritual lives as the Bible has much to say about our spiritual journeying.
Use the prayers below for your physical journeys, but also for the spiritual journeys of yourself and others.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Virojt Changyencham
May 13, 2022
Refreshment means to be given new strength or energy, like being poured a cool drink on a hot day. As Christians, we may think of refreshment as being spiritually energized. The Bible, however, speaks of refreshment in many different ways, including the importance of being physically refreshed and bringing refreshment to others. Use the prayers below to bring new strength and energy into all areas of your life and the lives of others.
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March 28, 2022
Here are the stories of three women missionaries who strongly sensed God’s calling to “go.” They persevered when faced with challenging situations to follow through on their calling. Often their paths were filled with what seemed like impossible hurdles to cross and overcome, yet, with determination, each one faithfully pursued their vision and mission.
February 28, 2022
Steadfast love is a distinct attribute of God shown towards people, particularly sinners. We find it throughout the Bible from the Old Testament and God’s dealings with Israel, to the New Testament and the coming of Jesus.
The Hebrew word hesed is used to describe this strong, merciful love. In our modern Bibles, as well as being translated “steadfast love,” it is also translated as “loving kindness,” “mercy,” or “goodness.”
So, what does God’s steadfast love towards us look like and what can Scripture tell us about it? Here are 10 amazing truths about God’s steadfast love.
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January 25, 2022
Awe, as defined in a dictionary, is a feeling or emotion. It is described as a mixture of respect, fear or wonder. We often think of awe as being filled with amazement. For example, one recent article suggested we cultivate experiences of awe because tapping into something larger than ourselves is beneficial for us. Research has shown experiences of awe can reduce stress, stimulate creativity and innovation, and help build relationships.
I don’t doubt the scientific research behind this article and the benefits of awe to make us feel better, but the biblical definition of awe is quite different. The Bible emphasizes our sense of awe is always in relation to God and His work. Being awe-inspired by God is more than an emotion. The Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology says “that genuine awe is primarily a disposition rather than merely an emotional state.”
A number of different Hebrew and Greek words in the Bible are translated as “awe” or “awesome,” but they can also be translated “fear,” which means a mixture of reverence and wonder at who God is and what he has done or is doing.
So how can we be awe-inspired again by God and His work? When we look at the words “awe” or “fear” in the Bible, we are given clues as to how to change our attitude or the posture of the heart, so we live in reverence of God.
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December 10, 2021
Knowing this poem was written for children gives sense to the lyrics. “Once” is similar to how a fairy tale starts, as in “Once upon a time.” However, I am sure Alexander never intended for the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth to be thought of as a fairy tale or make-believe.
November 16, 2021
The Bible teaches us that we are to give thanks to God not only during good times, but during hard times and everything in between. We are to be continually thankful in all circumstances.
Paul’s letters in particular repeatedly give instructions for always being thankful:
“Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).
“Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
If we are to give thanks in all situations, what specifically does the Bible say about giving thanks when life is most difficult? Scripture not only encourages us to include thankfulness alongside our pleas for help, but it gives firm reasons why and how we should thank God when we might be facing despair, anxiety, sadness and loss.
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November 3, 2021
Many verses in the Bible tell us we are important and precious to God (Isaiah 49:16, Jeremiah 31:3, John 3:16, Romans 5:8). But sometimes, getting that knowledge to move from our heads to our hearts and to live knowing we are of great value to God can be difficult.
In our everyday lives, it is common to struggle to know we are special, to not feel good about ourselves, or that who we are or what we do matters. Often, we look to self-help techniques to improve our self-esteem. Yet, by looking at what God says about us in His Word, we not only deepen our understanding of our worth, but can live out our purpose and be who God designed us to be. Here, we are going to dig deep into three real ways to know you are precious to God.
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September 22, 2021
A marriage ceremony and celebration can be beautiful and stirring, both for the couple and those who attend and witness the wedding. A successful marriage, though, is more than the loving feelings and the excitement the newlyweds feel as they embark on their life together.
Marriage is a life-long commitment and takes hard work. God’s plan is for marriage to last a lifetime, and the Bible gives valuable advice and direction for couples. Likewise, many couples prepare for this journey by investing in marriage preparation courses. To help them be successful in their vows, your prayers for their marriage can be powerful and effective.
Use the prayers below to pray for couples you know who are newly married. Fill in the blanks with their names. Keep these prayers close by and reuse them again and again.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Foto Pettine
August 23, 2021
The Bible instructs us to make every effort to do what is right in the eyes of God. But God’s Word does not just give us instructions, it shows us by example how to do the right thing. Through real stories of everyday people like you and me, we can gain strength and courage to do what God commands us to do.
Overall, the Bible is clear that we do not have to act alone in doing what is right (2 Timothy 1:7). God is with us, and His Spirit enables us to do what we cannot do on our own. Yet, it takes faith and trust, and we often have to battle against our own selfish desires, wanting to take the easy way out, or wanting to stay comfortable. These are temptations we can work to overcome.
Here are four lessons and prayers, through the examples of Moses, Joshua, Abigail, and the Good Samaritan, you can use when you need to have courage to do the right thing in your community or workplace, for your family or for the wider world.
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July 19, 2021
Christianity is the only faith with an empty grave, whose leader came back from the dead and walked and talked with his followers. Without the incarnation of God in the flesh and Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead, we would not have Christianity, or our restoration to God and eternal life. Jesus said: “I am the one who brings people back to life, and I am life itself. Those who believe in me will live even if they die” (John 11:25).
June 19, 2021
As we think about this special relationship with God, we should remember our heavenly Father is not human (Numbers 23:19). “God is spirit” says John 4:24. Yet because God is Spirit, this can make Him difficult to relate to. It is a natural tendency to turn to examples of human fathers for our comprehension. This, we know, can trip us up.
May 23, 2021
The Bible tells us God’s presence is everywhere and He is with us, yet we can still struggle to understand He is near us at all times. Sometimes it feels like God is far away – that He is no closer than a distant planet.
God’s holiness and majesty can make us think He is not within reach. We read words like “he builds his lofty palace in the heavens” (Amos 9:6a) and, like with royalty today, we can think that only special people, those who are better Christians than ourselves, get to be intimate with God. Yet, the Bible reassures us God is close at hand and with us always, even as ordinary and imperfect beings. Throughout Scripture we see God is the One who draws close to us.
Here are four important truths we should believe and remember about God’s presence when we feel forgotten or forsaken.
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