I call to God Most High, to God who fulfills [His purpose] for me. He reaches down from heaven and saves me, challenging the one who tramples me. God sends His faithful love and truth … God, he exalted above the heavens; let Your glory be above the whole earth (vv. 2–3, 5). Again IContinue reading “My Song of Triumph”
Category Archives: hope
The Good in Good News
What is the good that makes the gospel good news? If the present, and especially the future, that the Christian gospel offers is undesirable, unimpressive, boring, bland, and unenjoyable, then how good is the good news? Is it only good in contrast with the active misery and punishments of hell? Or, does the good newsContinue reading “The Good in Good News”
The Remedy for Man
People-pleasing is a well-worn scheme and trap of Satan. If we think people-pleasing began with self-esteem training, the tolerance movement, or social media, we have underestimated how interwoven this temptation has been with humanity. The sin of people-pleasing is as old as people. Since the fall, we have been tempted to live for the praiseContinue reading “The Remedy for Man”
Your MVP
To sports fans, MVP means Most Valuable Player. Football’s Peyton Manning holds the NFL record with five MVP awards. Basketball’s Bill Russell and Michael Jordan each won five MVPs, while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won the award six times. Baseball’s Barry Bonds won seven MVPs, but the legendary Babe Ruth won it only once—in 1923, when heContinue reading “Your MVP”
The Beauty Mark of Other-Centeredness
Have you ever heard something good that happened to a friend but rather than being excited and celebrating with her, you compare your success or want what she has? It seems pretty common, and unfortunately, it was my mindset this week. It is an ugly place to be. Not much love for a sister. NotContinue reading “The Beauty Mark of Other-Centeredness”
Just a Few More Laughs and Tears
On account of the recent focus on injustice today, I have been meditating often on the final judgment. Scripture teaches that there will be a last day when the infinitely just and holy God will exercise perfect justice–showing a full manifestation of His mercy to those for whom Christ has satisfied divine justice (Eph. 2:7)Continue reading “Just a Few More Laughs and Tears”
When Our Hope Leaks
In the corner of our bedroom is a desk where I meet the Lord every morning in His Word. Its shelves hold several Bibles, devotionals, journals, and prayer books. During the years I served as teaching pastor at our church, the table was where I most often prepared my sermons. And on the right-hand sideContinue reading “When Our Hope Leaks”
And Now, Something Encouraging
Reading Acts 4 is exhilarating. Re-reading it today was breathtaking. The Apostles declare the supremacy of Christ in salvation (Acts 4:12). They are threatened to stop preaching (Acts 4:18). Peter by the way, knows in the back of his head that one of these days he’s going to die on a cross (John 21:18-19). TheyContinue reading “And Now, Something Encouraging”
We’ll Talk Later But First
Philip Yancey tells a modern-day version of the prodigal son, about a girl with a nose ring and an attitude. She rebels against her parents, runs away, and becomes a drug-addicted prostitute in Detroit. The months go by. She sees her face on a milk carton but never bothers to tell her family she’s alive.Continue reading “We’ll Talk Later But First”
Only Love Will Reach Gen Z
A recent study found that 48.5% of Gen Z identifies as non-religious, atheist or agnostic, and religious leaders have a lot of thoughts about the reasons behind the decline in faith. Gen Z’s mental health has declined along with their faith, as recent studies found that Gen Z reports the highest level of mental illnessContinue reading “Only Love Will Reach Gen Z”
Intentional Faith 