As the Day Ends “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” — 1 John 3:16 As the day comes to a close, there are some truths that are easier to receive than to define. Love is one of them. We can describe love, analyze its effects,Continue reading “Love You Can Feel Before You Can Explain”
Category Archives: An Evening Prayer
There Are No Shortcuts to Knowing Christ
As the Day Ends “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 3:14 There is something reassuring about Paul’s words because they remind us that spiritual growth is not automatic. Even the apostle who had encountered the risen Christ still described himself as pressingContinue reading “There Are No Shortcuts to Knowing Christ”
Saved for More Than Escape
As the Day Ends “May He equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ.” — Hebrews 13:21 As this day comes to a close, Hebrews 13:21 gives us a larger way to think about salvation. It is certainly true thatContinue reading “Saved for More Than Escape”
Tears That Still Know How to Hear God
As the Day Ends “Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep; let your laughter be turned to mourning.” — James 4:9 There are days when tears seem like a weakness, something we should quickly wipe away so we can get back to being strong. Scripture gives us a different picture. James 4:9 does not praise sadnessContinue reading “Tears That Still Know How to Hear God”
When His Wounds Become Our Peace
As the Day Ends “Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” — Isaiah 53:4 As this day comes to an end, Isaiah draws our attention away from what we accomplished, failed to accomplish, carried well, or carried poorly and directs usContinue reading “When His Wounds Become Our Peace”
When Heaven Measures Greatness Differently
As the Day Ends “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” — John 12:26 As this day comes to a close, it may be helpful to remember that God measures a life differently than theContinue reading “When Heaven Measures Greatness Differently”
When Fear No Longer Holds the Reins
As the Day Ends “Neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” — Acts 20:24 Paul’s words carry unusual freedom. He is not saying life hasContinue reading “When Fear No Longer Holds the Reins”
TEACHING THE SOUL TO THIRST AGAIN
As the Day Ends “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” — Psalm 42:2 As this day comes to a close, there is something refreshingly honest about the psalmist’s words. He does not merely say that he believes in God. He says that his soulContinue reading “TEACHING THE SOUL TO THIRST AGAIN”
When the Day Belongs Back to God
As the Day Ends “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” — Romans 14:12 There is something about evening that naturally invites accounting. The workday closes. Conversations are over. Decisions have been made. Words cannot be taken back, and opportunities that belonged to today are now becoming part ofContinue reading “When the Day Belongs Back to God”
When Religion Looks Right but the Heart Is Wrong
As the Day Ends “Then Jesus said to them, ‘I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?’” — Luke 6:9 As this day ends, there is value in asking not only what we did, but why we did it. WeContinue reading “When Religion Looks Right but the Heart Is Wrong”