It’s just been difficult…just really difficult… Is that you? Over the past several weeks, I’ve noticed more obituaries on social media websites and more and more people thinking and talking about the struggle which was 2023. I know that some years are more difficult than others, but it seems like 2023 was different for [...]
7Each man said to his mate, “Come, let us cast lots so we may learn on whose account this calamity has struck us.” So they cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. 8Then they said to him, “Tell us now! On whose account has this calamity struck us? What is your occupation? And [...]
But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshis from the presence of the Lord. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshis, paid the fare, and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. Jonah 1:3 What happens when your [...]
For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:14 Fear is a strong motivator, but is it the kind of motivation we need every day? Perhaps not. What we fear often becomes a negative motivator and creates a life of dissatisfaction and legalism. But [...]
O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. Judges 16:28 I imagine there is never more of a self-centered approach to our faith in God than when we pray. I realize that sounds like a [...]
The Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 The State Fair was one of those events I loved to go to as a child. The smell of fattening fried food, footlong corndogs, greasy fries, and those elephant ears would cause my parents to go broke every year. But, the thing [...]
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 "There is no danger that Titanic will sink. The boat is unsinkable and nothing but inconvenience will be suffered by the passengers." Phillip Franklin, White Star Line vice-president, 1912 The first passengers on a luxury liner in [...]
Increase our faith Luke 17:5 Faith is an exciting thing. When I was younger, I used to watch the television show "Bewitched." I thought it was the coolest show. Samantha, not your ordinary evil witch, was married to Darrin. They had a daughter named Tabitha, who also had some magical powers. It was one [...]
Do not fear, only believe. Mark 5:36 When your world collapses and all seems lost, only believe. That's easy for Jesus to say...I mean, He's Jesus. I think it's ok to be real with each other. Sometimes it doesn't seem that Jesus is enough. Did I say that? Yep. Sometimes it seems that Jesus is not [...]
Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 I've often heard that the Lord will never give you more than you can handle. I think that statement is only partially true. The truth is that the [...]