It is no secret that the Bible testifies over and over to the power and majesty of God. But did you know that the names used for God throughout the Bible have all different meanings to speak of who he is? Starting here at the very beginning of the Bible, we see the name Elohim…
Did you know that the Chinese pictograph for the word “busy” is two characters: a heart and killing? Isn’t that appropriate? The clock ticks fast every day as I move from breakfast to lunch to dinner and then back to breakfast once again. The calendar pages flip fast and before I know it, we are…
There is plenty to worry about in today’s world. Whether it is a personal health diagnosis, a wayward child, financial struggles, or a strained relationship, the many things we face can threaten our peace and joy. The book of Proverbs describes a woman who, although her life wasn’t perfect, was a person of character who…
In the book of Jonah, we see the prophet making an intentional choice to move away from God. Jonah had been told by God to go to the great city of Nineveh, which was part of the Assyrian Empire. But instead of moving toward God’s will for him, Jonah did an about-face and headed far…
We all love ourselves, so Jesus’ command to love our neighbor is based on our natural love of self. We all have a drive inside of us to be happy and think of ourselves first. No one has to teach a 2-year-old to be selfish. It is their natural default. Notice that this is not…
Jesus said the first and greatest commandment is to love God with all of our heart, soul and mind. This includes all of our thoughts and feelings. Is there something or someone who competes with God for your love? If we put the things of this world before God, we will regret it when we…
Romans 8:6 says, “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” I am the first one to admit that I can struggle to keep my mind and thoughts under control. Worry creeps in too often, and I find myself going down ridiculous rabbit trails…
Philippians 1:12 says, “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” (ESV) I love the way Paul flips the script and reframes his time in prison in the letter of Philippians. He doesn’t complain about his incarceration in a lonely, dingy prison cell. Instead,…
Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:1 says that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Strength does not require God plus something or someone else. God alone…
In the overwhelm of life and all the daily busyness we face, we can so easily forget what really fuels us and gives us direction. More than a cup of coffee, a good workout, or an easy life, we need God’s Word. It is what strengthens us and sustains us, no matter what a day…