As the Day Begins “The creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.” — Romans 8:21 There are mornings when the body reminds us that we are not yet what we will someday be. We wake up tired. Something aches. StrengthContinue reading “When the Body Groans but the Spirit Keeps Working”
Tag Archives: Christian hope
When Heaven Is More Than a Hope
As the Day Begins “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” — 2 Corinthians 5:1 Paul begins this passage with two wonderfully steady words: “we know.” He does not say, “we hope itContinue reading “When Heaven Is More Than a Hope”
When Home Is Still Ahead
As the Day Begins “For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” — Hebrews 13:14 There is something wonderfully clarifying about beginning the day remembering that this world is not our permanent address. Hebrews does not tell us that earthly life is unimportant. Quite the opposite. Our days matter greatlyContinue reading “When Home Is Still Ahead”
When Redemption Feels Like a Dream
DID YOU KNOW Did You Know? God’s redemption can be so unexpected that it feels unreal when it arrives. Psalm 126 opens with the memory of a restoration so astonishing that the people could scarcely believe it was happening: “When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream” (PsalmContinue reading “When Redemption Feels Like a Dream”
Loving His Appearing
As the Day Ends “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels.” — Matthew 16:27 As the quiet of evening settles over the day, it is worth asking whether my heart truly longs for Christ’s return or merely acknowledges it as a doctrine. The early church greetedContinue reading “Loving His Appearing”
When Praise Changes the View
On Second Thought “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” (Psalm 95:6) Most believers understand that worship is an important part of the Christian life. Yet many of us think of worship primarily as something we do when circumstances are favorable. We worship when prayers areContinue reading “When Praise Changes the View”
Known by Name
On Second Thought “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows them that trust in him.” — Nahum 1:7 There is a great difference between knowing about God and being known by God. Many people know facts about Scripture, can quote verses, and can even discuss theology with confidence,Continue reading “Known by Name”
Trading Mud Pies for Glory
On Second Thought “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” —Continue reading “Trading Mud Pies for Glory”
When God Rewrites the Dream You Thought Was Yours
On Second Thought “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” — Jeremiah 29:11 There is something deeply personal in the way God speaks through Jeremiah. The Hebrew word for “thoughts” here is machashavot, whichContinue reading “When God Rewrites the Dream You Thought Was Yours”
The Day Death Lost Its Voice
A Day in the Life There are moments in the life of Jesus that seem quiet on the surface but echo through eternity. I find myself standing with the disciples, watching events unfold that I do not fully understand. Death had always been the final word. It was the one certainty none could escape. KingsContinue reading “The Day Death Lost Its Voice”