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We need warriors today – those who will stand against the tide of public opinion, who will live courageously and honestly in a hostile culture. People who will cling to God’s truth regardless of the consequences. However, we sometimes place our human interpretation of love and mercy onto others who are in the fight for […]

You know what? I bet having a baby was not on Mary’s ‘to do’ list for the year Jesus was born. Just a teenager, she was still looking forward to a wedding. Then the angel came and spoke words that rocked her world, interrupting any plans she may have had. The angel’s announcement set her […]

Father, Sometimes I don’t feel very loving. Sometimes I think I have given enough. I want to sit back and wait for others to take a stand, fill the gap, give the gift, care. Sometimes I feel pretty mean inside, and I think, “I’m NOT doing it!” Then I remember You. I remember Your consistent […]

I love the story of the Magi. Referred to by various names – wise men, kings – they give us a picture of a people determined to celebrate and worship the infant King. Some traditions say there were three of them, but Scripture only confirms that there were at least three gifts (Matthew 2:11). The […]

As we begin this Advent season, this time of remembering the birth of our Lord, I echo the thoughts of Dietrich Bonhoeffer – “May God in His mercy lead us through these times, but above all may He lead us to Himself.” Psalm 25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the […]

Psalm 138 When I call, He answers and strengthens me. (verse 3) Though I walk in trouble, He will preserve me. (verse 7) The Lord will fulfill His purpose in me. (verse 8) God’s mercy and steadfast love endure forever. (verse 8) Father, Thank You for answering the cry of my heart so many times. […]

Genesis 19:15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. 16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand […]

Father God, You have been gracious to me. You have provided for and kept me according to Your grace and mercy. Your faithfulness has preserved my soul. There will be problems today that I don’t have to solve. You didn’t call me to be a problem solver but a servant. Let my service give comfort […]

It happened again tonight. I expected a beautiful sunset over a turbulent sea. Clouds swelled in the sky, and I knew they would display the color. But what I saw was glory. Within three minutes the sky went from blue and gray to brilliant oranges and yellows. The sun sank quickly, and just before it […]

“For the birds” is an American idiom that means trivial or worthless. When we say something is ‘for the birds’, we are not usually offering a commendation. God loves birds, though, and having a day for the birds is not always a bad thing. Sometimes, they are just the reminder we need that God has […]

I have friends who are jubilant right now. I have friends who are not. I have friends who are celebrating right now. I have friends who are not. I have friends who see the world as their oyster. I have friends who believe the oyster has spoiled. I find my direction in Psalm 146. While […]

In church today we sang the old hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness”. What a timely reminder to my heart in these days of uncertainty and change. Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou […]

The 7th chapter of Isaiah records God’s promise: “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” (v. 14). This promise, in response to King Ahaz’s unbelief, came at a time when circumstances looked ominous for Israel. Enemy nations threatened […]

The confidence of my heart lies in knowing that God loves me. He has seen me at my worst, and He loves me still. He knows my every thought, my every heartbeat, and I am held in the strength of His hands. I am always on His mind. As the psalmist says, “such knowledge is […]

As I continue to pray for God’s grace and mercy and guidance for our nation on this election day, I must remind myself of some truths. God will not be dethroned. God’s truth will outlive and outshine any lie. God did not promise me a life without trial and persecution, but He did promise His […]

Sometimes I sit down at the piano and just play through the hymnbook. I was doing this the other day when I came across a hymn that I had not thought of in a while. The song, Near to the Heart of God, was written in 1903 by Cleland McAfee, a minister and choir leader. […]

If you miss your bath for a few days, people will notice. I find the same principle applies to my spiritual life. When I go days without reading and meditating on God’s Word, it is noticeable – in my words, in my thoughts, in my attitude, in my relationships – and it is not a […]

Sandwiched between the two mountains described in Psalms 22 and 24 lies the familiar Psalm of the Shepherd, Psalm 23. Many people recognize this psalm, but it is important to note the psalms that precede and follow it. Psalm 22 gives us the experience of Mount Calvary. Here we read Jesus’ cry from the cross, […]

There is a verse in Psalm 119 that has often brought a smile to my face. My husband and I use it to remind each other not to be easily offended. Great peace have they which love Thy law, and nothing shall offend them. Psalm 119:165 In context, the word offend means cause to stop […]

God is a gentleman, and He is just. When we refuse His offer of redemption and relationship with Him, He honors that choice. We are shocked then when the blessings that are innate in God are not provided as we go our own way apart from Him. We are like the prodigal, rebelling against and […]