“But Abram replied, ‘O Sovereign Lord, how can I be sure that I will actually possess it?’” - Genesis 15:8 We've read about Abraham's many acts of faith, even called the "Father of Faith" by some. In Hebrews 11, he left everything and moved his family to an unknown destination because the Lord told him to. We recall his act of obedience to sacrifice his only son on the mountaintop found in Genesis 22. Even in Genesis 15, he is recorded to believe God and counted as righteous because of his faith. It would be easy to elevate Abraham in our minds as someone above us, higher than us, and somehow different than us because of his excellent displays of...
“Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.” - Hosea 6:3 People often feel like they are not doing enough for the Lord. They desire to have peace and clarity in their lives, but are stuck and paralyzed by indecision and apathy. They want to feel close to the Lord which they interpret as feeling a sense of peace or happiness. Jesus declared it is the Father’s will that He would not lose one believer. (John 6:39 NLT). Our salvation is dependent upon the perfect sacrifice of Jesus and our faith in Him. No...
“Dear friends, I warn you as ‘temporary residents and foreigners’ to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.” - 1 Peter 2:11 In a season of new beginnings and pursuits, there is a danger of being consumed with the events and influences of our culture. So many things can serve as distractions for us from the eternal. From entertainment and current events to arguments and deep pain, the range of interruptions that overtake our attention is unrelenting. This tension is what led Paul to encourage Timothy to endure as a good soldier and not get entangled in the affairs of civilian life. (2 Timothy 2:3-4) Likewise, Peter warned believers to keep away from worldly desires...
“Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places.” Isaiah 40:3-4 Looking back over the past year, feelings of gratitude are mingled with regret. Gratitude for how our Heavenly Father has sustained us and carried us through, and possibly regret over missed opportunities or mistakes. The spectrum of emotion varies equally regarding our outlook of a brand new year, and for 2020, a new decade. From wide-eyed wonder and expectation of great things for some to melancholy indifference for others, the scale of hope is as varied as there are...
“Be not afraid, only believe.” - Mark 5:36 As citizens of heaven, we are called to a life of faith. Faith in our Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally, but who also requires faith to please Him. Jesus is the master teacher of faith and trust, always leading people past the signs, miracles, and works to a further revelation of Himself. When Jairus came to Jesus in desperation over his ailing daughter, he sought a quick healing work, but the Lord delayed. This delay was not a mistake or an act of indifference; it was not an inconvenience to Jesus to minister to this young girl, but it was an opportunity to grow Jairus in faith. Jesus showed compassion to...
