I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. — Numbers 11:14 Moses boldly spoke these very honest words to the Lord: the Israelites were far too big a burden for Moses to bear. God responded to Moses’ weariness by assigning additional people to carry the load, specifically seventy…
Not Even Cancer Can Separate You From God’s Love
Down to Our Hair Two weeks from the day I had my first infusion of chemo, my hair fell out. I had been warned, of course. But secretly I cherished the hope that my thick locks would defy the statistics, clinging to my scalp despite the red stuff dripping into my veins. A volunteer barber…
Dance in Thanks
David danced before the LORD with all his might. — 2 Samuel 6:14 Too often we are hesitant to dance, whether it’s dancing in the literal or figurative sense of the word. Perhaps that’s because much of our society’s dancing seeks to glorify the created rather than the One who created. But as Solomon so…
Choose Your Words Wisely
Read Proverbs 16:16-33 Children say cruel things to each other. Very few of us escape our school years without getting our feelings hurt over something another child said to us. Often as children, we were taught to respond to a verbal barb by saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never…
Make Lemonade (Good News for the Sour Seasons)
Read Psalms 115–118 When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. This is a popular phrase encouraging a person to make the best out of the difficult situations we experience in life. The encouragement is to look for the life lesson to help a person cope and give a person strength and knowledge to better face…
The Good Shepherd
Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs Know that the Lord is God It is He who made us, and we are His; We are His people, the sheep of His pasture — Psalm 100:2-3 Read Psalms 100–102 We come across another lament of an afflicted man in Psalm 102. Deep and…
Why, When, and How Should We Pray?
Why Should We Pray? God insists that we ask, not because He needs to know our situation, but because we need the spiritual discipline of asking. — Catherine Marshall Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. — Philippians 4:6 So I say…
Enduring with the Lord’s Help
Hasten, O God, to save me; come quickly, Lord, to help me May those who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. — Psalm 70:1-2 Read Psalms 69-71 David’s psalms are a continual returning to urgent petitions. He asks God to hear him,…
What Are You Thinking About?
What Are You Thinking About? Whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things. — Philippians 4:8 Too often our thoughts take on a life of their own, wandering freely and sometimes landing in dark places. Our Creator…
Guard Your Heart
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. — Proverbs 4:23 Have you ever said something and wondered where that comment came from? Or maybe an idea crossed your mind that you wouldn’t tell your best friend about — and exactly where did that come from? Or maybe you did…