Christ brought you over to God’s side and put your lives together, whole and holy in His presence. — Colossians 1:22, The Message Everyone’s life is [filled with] conflict and failure and fear, love and betrayal, loss and salvation. Every day is a story, a morning beginning and evening ending that are boundaries for…
Jehoshaphat, Isaiah, and Job — Prayers for a Time Such As This
For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You. — 2 Chronicles 20:12 Jehoshaphat and his people were about to face a great enemy, and they were afraid. Armies were on their way to drive them out…
Fasting: Two Throne Rooms
Several films have been based on the story of Esther. In the ones I have seen, she is ravishingly gorgeous. Eyes shaped like crescents, unblemished olive skin. A Hollywood heartthrob, this lady. And, indeed, she must have been. Selected as the queen of Persia out of a harem of lovely contenders. The movies are equally…
Teach Us to Pray
Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray.” — Luke 11:1 The first followers of Jesus requested, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Might their interest have had something to do with the jaw-dropping, eye-popping…
Fall Fellowship
They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. — Acts 2:42 Sadly, summer often rushes by in a blur. Family vacations (which are usually not as relaxing as we hope), summer camps, and swimming pools fill the days. There is a mad dash to get all…
Whose Agenda is Our Concern Anyway?
The first petition in the Lord’s Prayer is that God’s name be hallowed. The second petition, “Your Kingdom come,” builds on the first by showing us how God’s name is hallowed in the world. God reveals His character and reputation as His Kingdom spreads to every corner of the earth and as citizens of that…
Warrior Princesses
“Me, a princess?” “You are the legal heir.” “I never lead anyone.” “We will help you to be a princess, to rule. If you refuse to accept the throne then the kingdom will cease to exist as we know it.” —The Princess Diaries In God’s name, we must fight them! —Joan of Arc…
Refined in the Fire
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. — Job 23:10 The doctor was very matter-of-fact. When he told me I had breast cancer, his inflection didn’t change, his manner didn’t warm up, and he offered nothing in the way of comfort. He left…
Contend for Me
Contend for me, my God and Lord. — Psalm 35:23 God loves it when we fight for Him. But God loves it even more when we let Him fight for us! How do we do that? When we hit our knees, God extends His mighty right hand on our behalf. When we pray, He fights…
The Purpose of Prayer
The function of prayer is… to change the nature of the one who prays. — Søren Kierkegaard Scripture shows us many types of interactions with God. We see Jacob wrestling with God for hours, and Job overcome with doubt and bitterness in His presence. We see Moses’ fearful excuses and Jonah’s stubborn resistance. Then…