I’m doing a word study on ‘Hope’ for my next book. It was interesting to see the word is Tiqvah in Hebrew and it means a stretched cord. That gives me an interesting word picture. Hope is a rope secured to a promise of God. Hope anchors us in times of uncertainty. Hope pulls us forward when fear paralyzes our feet. Hope lifts our head, when the world disappoints. Sometimes...
Persistent
Jesus gave a parable about a friend knocking on a door late at night. While the friend was not moved by their friendship, he was moved by their persistency. Jesus paints a picture of shameless audacious prayers availing much. Knocking, asking, seeking until our hearts’ desires are realized. But He further explains, we ask like a child petitioning our parents. We do not beg God. If our prayers are aligned...
Prepare And Wait
”I am a woman deeply troubled,” is how Hannah describes herself. For years, she had wanted a child, but alas, her womb was closed. Her rival taunted her, made fun of her because of her barrenness. Her husband was frustrated because he didn’t understand why having a child was more important than his love. So Hannah wept bitterly before the Lord. Many of us can understand Hannah’s frustration. It may...
Married
The book of Isaiah is prophetic and Messianic. It spoke of Israel’s exile ending but it also speaks of Christ’s coming and the days of His reign (today). We can grab hold of the promises spoken in Isaiah. Have you gone through or are you going through a difficult season? Do you feel exiled? Isolated? This is what Israel was experiencing when Isaiah prophesied their glorious future. His prophecy speaks...
Blessings
I came of age spiritually in the prosperity movement. I can quote all of the prosperity scriptures. Deuteronomy 28 was a particular favorite. But this morning, as I was reading it, I struggled with the verse: “You will have many children.” I struggled because I was reminded of the many women I know struggling to conceive, to start a family. By posting that truth will it make them despair, wonder...
Your Future
Yesterday was rough. The adrenaline of starting a new school year wore off and the reality that I operate on less than six hours of sleep a day set in. I was physically tired. And that is when the enemy likes to whisper in my ear. “If you had been a better parent then…” “If you hadn’t said then..” “If you had taken better care then…” “If You had really...
Giant Slayer
Between you and your promise is most often a giant. Abraham had to slay infertility. Moses had to slay impetuousness and condemnation. Joseph had to slay enslavement and accusations. David had to slay Goliath, jealousy and low expectations. When it was time for the children of Israel to receive their promised land, it was everything God had promised. A land flowing with milk and honey, fruit as big as your...
God’s Promises for Me
Understanding the Old Testament as a New Testament Christian can be tricky. It can almost seem like we are picking and choosing what we believe. It can seem like we are ordering from a menu, “I’ll have the blessings but hold the curses.” This is a challenging topic and can in no way be answered in a FB post at 5:00 am by a sleep deprived math teacher. But I’ll...
Wake Up
We have been promised that we have the mind of Christ. Which means we have His thoughts, His feelings, His purposes and His desires. We are also promised that we have a tree growing in our hearts that produces love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. But my reality is sometimes my thoughts are evil. Sometimes my desires are selfish. Some days it feels as if my...
Greater Works
Greater works He emphatically promised. We, those who believe He is Savior, can heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the leper. We, ordinary people – teachers, cashiers, game designers, graphic artist, housewives, engineers – get to represent Him extraordinarily in this world. I’m standing on this promise today. I’m trusting His promises are yes and amen. I’m believing I will see greater works. I will lay hands on the...