Many decades ago, one of my college friends gave me a small picture that has meant a great deal to me. There is nothing remarkable about it from an artistic standpoint, but it has given me great comfort during some important times nonetheless. In fact, not long ago, I asked the Lord for direction…
A Beautiful Ending
The emperor of China had a problem. Something was destroying his mulberry trees. So he did what any brilliant man does when faced with a problem he can’t handle: he turned it over to his wife! When Empress Ce Ling Shee looked at the trees, she noticed a moth laying eggs on the mulberry…
Relinquishing Control
When you can’t sleep, don’t count sheep — read Scripture. Distinguish between God’s voice and the voice of fear. Worry takes a look at catastrophes and groans, “It’s all coming unraveled.” God says, Every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. — Romans 8:28 MSG Worry claims, “The world…
3 Scriptures That Will Help Draw You Near to God
This is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. — 1 John 5:14-15 Have you ever shared something deeply…
Who Is This Giver of Prayer?
The first privilege of having an intimate relationship with God through prayer is that you get to know God. Consider what a great and awesome honor that is — to know the One who not only created all that exists but also directs it from His mighty throne. This is an amazing thought when you…
Nothing Wasted: God Doesn’t Waste Your Life
This is a great week to read chapters 1–3 in the book! Introduction (5 MINUTES) Leader, please read aloud to group: Predestined = {a course of events determined in advance by divine will} — Merriam Webster Dictionary As humans, we tend to want to settle most matters of life in terms of “either-or.” But with…
It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way Week 6 — Kingdom Minded. Eternally Focused.
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. — James 1:12 The pain we’re walking through… It isn’t for nothing. ~ Lysa Welcome to our last week of the It’s Not Supposed…
It All Ends Alright with God’s Promises
In all things God works for the good of those who love Him. — Romans 8:28 NIV Haman had it out for the Israelites. We read about his story in the book of Esther. A few hundred years earlier, the Israelites had defeated Haman’s people, the Amalekites. Haman was an Amalekite carrying a huge grudge…
The Joy Model: Radically Trusting God
Buzz. Buzz. Michelle’s cell phone vibrated twice on her night stand. It was a text coming in at 12:40 a.m. I was zonked out and the sound barely registered with me. “Jeff, Jeff, wake up. Look.” It was a text from my seventeen-year-old son’s ex-girlfriend: “Please check on Neal. He sent me this photo.” It…
Unwavering: Living with Defiant Joy Week 4 — Expectant Hope
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her! — Luke 1:45 He has promised that we can have joy in the midst of everything that life is throwing at us. ~ Stasi OBS Friends, You’re half-way through the Unwavering: Living with Defiant Joy Online Bible Study! Last week…