Mary and Martha were confused, distraught, grief-stricken. They could not understand why the One whom they loved, the One with whom they had entertained in their home, the One who had opened blind eyes, caused the lame to walk, and healed countless would not come when their brother was sick. As their brother became worse, they must have remembered how he healed Peter’s mother in law and thought “He will...
Surrender
Many of my single friends are praying for their Boaz. As I hear them speak, it seems as if Boaz has become this mystical creature, this perfect husband, who completes this long list of requirements. But when I read the story of Ruth, Boaz was simply a man who was honorable, kind, and generous. (I don’t see all the other characteristics we attribute to Boaz.) I guess in some aspects,...
Trust
“He took Jesus at His Word.” That phrase stood out to me this morning as I was reading. This bible describes this man as a Royal Government official. He had clout, influence, wealth. I imagine he was self-reliant and powerful. But with all of his earthly authority and money, he could not heal his son. He humbled himself and this rich, influential, government official found himself at the mercy of...
Surrender
When you are between the promise and the fulfillment, surrender. If I have learned anything from reading Genesis to Revelation, it is this: “Life rarely turns out like we had planned.” But God can take our mistakes, our failures, our hurts, our pains and our tragedies, and use them for His glory. If we can trust Him with our past, can’t we trust Him with our future? God is...
Attitude Determines Altitude
It had been forty years since their last attempt to enter the promised land. But now was their time. Now was their season. What changed in forty years? God was still the same God. The God who promised to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, who had promised to deliver the inhabitants of the land into their hands, 40 years prior was the same. God had not...
Sunday Always Follow Saturday
It’s Saturday. The day after the storm. There is an eerie quietness on Saturday. We awake Saturday full of questions. “I thought He was…” “What if I had…?” “What shall we do now….?” “How come He allowed….?” Saturday. The day between Death and Life Despair and Hope Destruction and Restoration. Lost and Found Defeat and Victory Death and Resurrection. Saturdays are more difficult than Fridays. Saturday requires trust despite what...
The Truth
God is good. When I don’t understand – He is good. When I’m disappointed – He is good. When things are falling apart – He is good. When tragedy comes – He is good. When death steals – He is good. When sickness destroys – He is good. When my prayers seem unanswered – He is good. When tears stain my pillow – He is good. When the marriage falls...
Stay In Your Lane
Yesterday morning, as I was driving to work, I was prayerlaining (complaining disguised as prayer) to the Holy Spirit. He let me go on for a few minutes and then He showed me something beautiful in a bible story. Something I had never seen or heard before. Something that had absolutely nothing to do with what I was prayerlaining about. The Holy Spirit was reminding of my purpose which is...
Overcome Doubt
Do you have a situation in your life that you have been praying about for a long time? You’ve asked God to remedy, restore, remove to no avail. You’ve cried out for provision, promotion, prosperity and yet it seems as if you cries have fallen on deaf ears. They have not. But while you are waiting for your breakthrough to come, you can become weary in the wait. This man...
Walking On Water
This was the last thing I read before going to sleep. “May he grant you your heart’s desire and bring all your plans to success.” Psalms 20:5 CJB It was the first thing I read when I woke up. I’m in the middle of four major Heart’s Desire projects. Each require my resources – time, money, wisdom. Each require I take a risk and step out of the boat and...