From the beginning God chose you. —2 Thessalonians 2:13 Rejection hurts. The boy who was always last to be chosen for the team never forgets it. Neither does the girl who navigated her high school years without once being asked for a date. Peanuts comic strips made Charles Schulz rich …
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. —Romans 12;17 Bitterness sucks the joy out of life. It has a voracious appetite, consuming huge helpings of hatred, anger, resentment, and self-pity—devouring enormous amounts of time, mental energy, and spiritual stamina. It creates a downward spiral that never hits …
I have delivered Jericho into your hands. —Joshua 6:2 God didn’t say I will deliver, but I have delivered. Joshua’s troops had to be skeptical. Jericho was a walled city, and they were on the outside. Conquest appeared dubious. God’s …
We have different gifts. —Romans 12:6 A movie critic wrote of a longtime but little-known actor, “Though never a great actor, he was invaluable in small parts.” That is one of the finest compliments I’ve ever read. The church couldn’t function without those who are incapable of great things but are invaluable …
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us. —2 Corinthians 5:21 Was there a time when you were given a second chance that enhanced your life? Have you given someone a second chance that enhanced theirs? Second chances transform lives. God gives the ultimate second chance. We mess up. “There is …
It is not good for the man to be alone. —Genesis 2:18 Rent-a-Family began in Japan in 1991 and has since spread to numerous countries, including the U.S. All rented relationships are strictly platonic. Rentals include father-of-the-bride, companions for social occasions, surrogate grandparents, and …
If it is the Lord’s will. —James 4:15 Ellen Langer in The Illusion of Control asserts that we usually overestimate our degree of control. James agrees: “You that say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will travel to a certain city, where we will stay a year and go into business and make a lot …
I have never met Sue, but her letter made me wish I had. She had reason to be bitter but wasn’t. Sue wanted children—four of them. Instead, in her first six years of marriage, she had four miscarriages. The fifth pregnancy was problem-free. Sue was going to have this baby! And she did. Baby Robby …
Be strong and courageous. —Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Jo 1:9). With these three sentences, God sealed Joshua’s commission to lead Israel. The first sentence consists of two positive directives: Be strong and courageous. The second …
Encourage one another. —1 Thessalonians 5:11 Everyone remembers the painting of Benjamin Franklin conducting his kite experiment to ascertain the electrical nature of lightning. Benjamin Franklin Drawing Electricity from the Sky is just one of many famous historical scenes produced by artist Benjamin West. When he was a youngster, West’s attempt to draw a picture …
