“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friendsContinue Reading
Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?Show us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation. (Psalm 85:6-7 NIV) [The following paragraphs are from an article I read online. I invite you to read them as if God was speaking to you about the children, youth, and youngContinue Reading
Yahweh now reigns as King! Let everyone rejoice! His rule extends everywhere, even to distant lands, and the islands of the sea, let them all be glad. Clouds both dark and mysterious now surround him. His throne of glory rests upon a foundation of righteousness and justice. All aroundContinue Reading
How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small. (Psalm 104:24-25 NIV) Where I live the middle of the winter contains days that are surrounded by long nights. Although nowContinue Reading
[The body of this post is excerpted from an article by Mandy Adendorff; I wrote the prayer.] For this is what the Lord says: “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream;you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a motherContinue Reading
“My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long—though I know not how to relate them all. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone. Since my youth, God, you have taught me, andContinue Reading
This passage from Isaiah 43 has been one of my favorites for several years because it is a wonderful gift to be able to put my name (your name) in this it: Now, this is what the Lord says— he who created ME, he who formed ME:“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I haveContinue Reading
Choose [God’s] instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. (Proverbs 8:10-11 NIV) Once-upon-a-time I attended a workshop with Bill Hybels who was then the pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in the Chicago area. Many years laterContinue Reading
The Lord is king forever and ever. The nations have vanished from his land. You have heard the desire of oppressed people, O Lord. You encourage them. You pay close attention to them… (Psalm 10:16-17 GW) [I saw this story online, but I do not know who originally wrote it.] “A man wasContinue Reading
Make no mistake about this: You can never make a fool out of God. Whatever you plant is what you’ll harvest. If you plant in ⌞the soil of⌟ your corrupt nature, you will harvest destruction. But if you plant in ⌞the soil of⌟ your spiritual nature, you will harvest everlasting life. We can’t allow ourselves toContinue Reading