You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good. —Genesis 50:20 The things that happened to Joseph were puzzling and faith-challenging: sold into slavery by jealous brothers; jailed because of the false accusation of a lying woman; forgotten and forsaken by those he helped. It …
I will be with you and will bless you. —Genesis 26:3 What’s holding you back? Does the task seem too big? The project too long? The problem too great? The habit too ingrained? The hurt too intense? The resentment …
Do not be afraid. —Genesis 15:1 “Do not be afraid,” God said to Abraham. He said the same thing to Moses, Joshua, David, Daniel, Mary, Paul, and John. He knew their names, and their fears. Add your name to that list, because he also knows your name, and your fears. “When I am afraid, I …
If you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door. —Genesis 4:7 One of Norman Rockwell’s fabled illustrations pictured a genial neighborhood butcher weighing a turkey for an elegant elderly lady. The eyes of both were focused on the scale’s display. …
Mark Zuckerberg, head honcho at Facebook, is seldom seen in anything other than jeans and a gray T-shirt. He says that eliminating clothing decisions simplifies his schedule and keeps him centered on priorities. You may question his sartorial taste, but you have to admire his discipline. Most successful people keep a tight focus on priorities—they …
Their father was dead. Of the left-behind sons, Bunyan’s Greatheart said: If they see any place where the old pilgrim hath lain, or any print of his foot, it ministereth joy to their hearts, and they covet to lie or tread in the same. Perpetuating the principles of the “old pilgrim” is a tribute of …
F.W. Boreham somewhere wrote about a family that lived in a comfortable house, with a delightful river running nearby. One day the river overflowed, the basement of the house flooded, and the chickens that roosted there drowned. The man of the house stormed off to see the landlord and told him he was giving notice …
“Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there … Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it’” (Luke 19:30-31). What do you do when you catch a couple of rustlers red-handed, …
Approval rating of politicians is at an all-time low. When Americans were asked to rank 22 professions for honesty and ethical standards in Gallup’s latest survey, Congress scored next-to-last. We long for integrity in our elected leaders; but sadly, it no longer surprises us when a politician is caught lying, discovered taking bribes, exposed as …
It was printed in the church bulletin: “There will be no service on Wednesday night before Thanksgiving.” Ditto in the Sunday handout: “There will be no service on Wednesday night before Thanksgiving.” Before beginning his sermon the minister tossed out this reminder: “There will be no service on Wednesday night before Thanksgiving.” And again in …
