Bible Reading

At the top of Matthew, chapter one, in my Bible stands the word “grace” written in capital letters. This is because God’s grace permeates the genealogy of Joseph, which we find recorded there. Grace, the unmerited – undeserved – favor of God. Favor bestowed on us simply because of who God is, because of His […]

I almost missed the sound as I drove by the church, but the refrain just barely caught my ear. Church bells! I rolled down my window to see if I could identify the tune, but the noise of the cars kept coming, frustrating me that I couldn’t hear well enough. I wanted to listen – […]

Moses was an illegal alien, an adopted child, a murderer, a man in exile who was called of God to lead a people from bondage. We are not kind to our leaders. He endured threats of violence, incessant complaining from the people, the betrayal of his siblings, and a stubborn and willful nation, but through […]

When a chapter begins with a death, you get an inkling that you may get additional bad news in that story. The twentieth chapter of Numbers begins with the death of Miriam, Moses’ and Aaron’s sister, and it goes downhill from there. The children of Israel are well into the wilderness of Zin at this […]

Clouds flow like spilled buttermilk across a sky so blue it hurts to look at it. Monarchs cling to blossoms on the butterfly bush, like children on a carnival ride, as the breeze tosses them, getting their fill of nectar before their long journey. Hummingbirds flit and fight as they stake their claim on the […]

How do you live if you are not afraid of dying? In Hebrews 10:38, the author quotes a line from Habakkuk 2:4, “The just shall live by faith.” We have heard that verse before, probably quoted it many times. We flick it off our tongue from memory while continuing to carry around the cares of […]

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled (Hebrews 12:14-15) The weed was small, and I let it grow. I thought the tiny […]

Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise Him in the heights. Let them praise the name of the LORD: for His name alone is excellent; His glory is above the earth and heaven. – Psalm 148:1, 13 Throughout scripture we are commanded, yes, commanded to praise the Lord. We are […]

One of my greatest discoveries has been the flashlight on my phone. It is wonderful! I am no longer in the dark. No matter where I am, I have a light. When I go to my car at night, I can turn it on and see where to put my feet. When I need more […]

When I was a child, our large family Bible sat on the coffee table in our living room. It was filled with replicas of the old masters depicting famous Bible stories and the life of Christ. Even before I could read, I would spend time looking at each picture and thinking about the events they […]

Once again, I found myself in Psalm 103 this morning, and once again I found myself rejoicing in the benefits provided by our Father. The benefit package he gives far surpasses any I have ever been offered by the world, and it bears reviewing on a regular basis. Check it out. Read that list again, […]

As I began another journey through the book of Psalms this morning I found guidance for my new year. Blessed is the manWho walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,Nor stands in the path of sinners,Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,And in His law he meditates day and night.3 He shall be […]

As I read through the ninth chapter of John this morning, the first few words struck me. “And as Jesus passed by, he saw…” (John 9:1, KJV). It’s not as if Jesus was just out for a stroll. The last verse of chapter eight tells us he had just passed through the midst of people […]

Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy (Psalm 64:1, KJV). We have just weathered two major storms, and fear has permeated the air. Broadcast on every station, brokered in all the stores, shared among neighbors and across social media, and carried across state lines anxiety has […]

I’ve started to notice a few leaves on the ground. The breeze that whispers through the day has a bit of a different feel to it, and this morning I woke up to a brisk 58-degree temperature. While the mid-day heat still rises, evening shadows lengthen bringing quickly cooling air. A few pumpkin decorations are […]

Where you get your water matters. Pure, clear water is a luxury that much of the world struggles to secure. Countries battle over water rights and the poor fight diseases brought on by dirty water. We recently saw a sign on property in Wyoming that offered land for sale – if you can find water. […]

God gives victory. Sometimes the triumph is miraculous and awesome in our eyes, and for a few minutes we are amazed and in awe of His power. But often the conquest, though no less monumental, is not the success of a champion but the training of the soldier. It occurs in the strength to take […]

The day on which we celebrate the birth of Christ has passed, but did our joy and wonder pass with it? The gift of Christmas is a gift that changes those who embrace and receive it. This gift does not wear out or tarnish. We can’t outgrow it, but we can let it get lost […]

If we could speak face to face today, you might just tell me that you are overwhelmed with all the disastrous happenings in the world. I know that some days find me scratching my head and asking, “what else, Lord.” Even in this season of peace, shooters attack unsuspecting people, earthquakes shatter, volcanos erupt, war […]

Philippians 1: 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: When I stop and think about how God has allowed me to walk with Him through this life, I am blown away by the multitude of blessings that […]