How can I give you up? —Hosea 11:8 The book of Hosea tells the story of Israel’s relationship with God being corrupted by their adulterous relationship with false gods. It’s a stomach-churning account of people who deserved annihilation. But there’s a touching sentence in chapter 11, where the grieving God …
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go. —Psalm 32:8 I’m not the brightest porch light on the block when it comes to direction. One night, my son Doug and I were driving to my apartment from across town. I thought I knew the way, …
Be generous and willing to share. —1 Timothy 6:18 Life is a trip between two nothings: “We brought nothing into this world, and we will take nothing out of it” (1 Tm 6:7). Money is the currency of time, not eternity. A love affair with wealth dead-ends in disappointment: “Whoever …
Test me and know my thoughts. —Psalm 139:23 I’m pretty sure there’s one place in your house that you don’t want anyone to see: your junk closet, where you stash stuff that’s broken, out-of-date, or just ugly. You didn’t intend for it to become your dumpster for the discarded. …
Let us love one another. —1 John 4:7 Charles Martel, who ruled in Austrasia in the eighth century, introduced “Human Chess” in 735 A.D. He used people as the pieces—costumed to reflect their rank—on a giant chessboard, manipulating them to his advantage. A harmless pastime, I suppose. But in …
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. —Psalm 116:15 I’ve lost a lot of dear friends in recent years. I miss them. So, I’ve been thinking quite a bit about Psalm 116:15—“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Hebrews 2:15 …
You are all one in Christ Jesus. —Galatians 3:28 A prayer, written nearly 2,000 years ago, and prayed each morning by observant Jewish men, runs this way: “Blessed art thou, O God, for not making me a Gentile, a slave, or a woman.” Connect the dots . . . Paul cites the same three groups …
Resolution [rěz ǝ-looʹ shǝn] 1. a decision or determination; a resolve; 2. firmness of purpose; the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute. Irresolution [ǐ- rěz ǝ-looʹ shǝn] 1. lack of resolution; lack of decision or purpose; vacillation. The life of each of us is defined by one of those words. A major …
Renew a right spirit within me. —Psalm 51:10 I RESOLVE to stop dwelling on the past (Isaiah 43:18) I RESOLVE to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23) I RESOLVE to do to others as …
[God’s] peace will control the way you think and feel. —Philippians 4:7 I RESOLVE to be kind and pleasant, regardless of the words or actions of others. I RESOLVE to remember that nothing that troubles me is too small for God’s concern and nothing is too large for him to handle. I …
