In the Life of Christ “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love.” —Genesis 39:21, ESV I would like to believe that doing the right thing always leads to a better situation. We resist temptation, tell the truth, honor our commitments, and expect life to become a little more settled. Joseph’s storyContinue reading “When Doing Right Leads Somewhere Wrong”
Category Archives: Jesus Christ
When What You Own Takes Hold of You
In the Life of Christ “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” — Mark 10:25 Money can solve many problems. It can repair a leaking roof, purchase needed groceries, and provide transportation to work. Scripture recognizes theContinue reading “When What You Own Takes Hold of You”
The Book That Brings Us to Jesus
In the Life of Christ “The sacred writings … are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”Continue reading “The Book That Brings Us to Jesus”
Growing Past “Nobody’s Perfect”
In the Life of Christ “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” —Matthew 5:48, ESV “Nobody’s perfect.” I have said it, and I suspect you have too. Sometimes those words express an honest recognition of our need for grace. Sometimes they help us avoid facing something God wants to change. ThenContinue reading “Growing Past “Nobody’s Perfect””
His Hands Are Still Raised in Blessing
In the Life of Christ “Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.” —Luke 24:50–51, ESV When someone we love leaves, we often remember the final gesture: a hand resting on ourContinue reading “His Hands Are Still Raised in Blessing”
When the Shepherd Needs Shepherding
In the Life of Christ “And I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” — 1 Kings 19:14, KJV There are moments when faithful people feel terribly alone. A pastor delivers another sermon while wondering whether anyone is listening. A parent keeps praying without seeing change. A caregiverContinue reading “When the Shepherd Needs Shepherding”
The Question You’re Afraid to Ask
In the Life of Christ “They did not understand the saying and were afraid to ask him.” —Mark 9:32 I can picture the student who keeps looking at the board, hoping understanding will arrive before the teacher calls on her. She has a question, but asking it might reveal how much she has missed. MostContinue reading “The Question You’re Afraid to Ask”
When Someone Else Carries the Song
In the Life of Christ “You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.” —Psalm 32:7, ESV There are days when I can sing the words of faith with confidence, and days when I need to hear someone else sing them first. Grief, weariness, orContinue reading “When Someone Else Carries the Song”
Trust That Gets Up and Goes
In the Life of Christ “My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?” —Ruth 3:1, ESV I have heard people say, “I’m leaving it in God’s hands,” and sometimes those words express beautiful surrender. At other times, I recognize in them a temptation familiar to my ownContinue reading “Trust That Gets Up and Goes”
When Someone Else Carries the Song
In the Life of Christ “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.” —Psalm 32:7, KJV Some days we arrive at worship ready to sing. Other days we arrive hoping someone else’s voice will help us remember what is true. Perhaps the weekContinue reading “When Someone Else Carries the Song”