Faith

Romans 4:4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. I have one grandson of my six grandsons who has discovered the joy of faith. Let me explain. He is twelve. He offers his services to his neighbors, cutting grass, pulling weeds, walking pets, just aboutContinue reading “Faith”

Slow Motion Instant Replay

Matthew 8:3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” There are some moments in sports that the slow motion instant replay is so fun to watch. It might be the amazing touchdown pass flying through the air catch with the tips of his fingers before beingContinue reading “Slow Motion Instant Replay”

Fighting for Them

Joshua 10:14 There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a human being. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel! Have you ever had someone say to you, “I will be there for you,” but when the time came, they weren’t? Just at the hourContinue reading “Fighting for Them”

Bold Claim!

Deuteronomy 20:3-4 He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. 4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Can youContinue reading “Bold Claim!”

Expressing

Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Have you ever had to get a new cell phone and then had difficulty figuring out how to use it? With each new iteration of device, the way they work shiftsContinue reading “Expressing”

Discouraged

Numbers 32:7 Why do you discourage the Israelites from crossing over into the land the LORD has given them? The power to discourage is in everyone’s hands. It is easy to discourage other people. We just need to focus on what is wrong. And there is plenty of that! We see it every day inContinue reading “Discouraged”

Objection Ignored

Acts 9:15 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. Have you ever just wanted to be heard? You were talking with someone about something important, and you could tell they were somewhere else,Continue reading “Objection Ignored”

Insufficiency

Mark 6:38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five — and two fish.” I often feel like I don’t have what it takes to accomplish really important tasks. I am not the most educated person. I haven’t been trained in the fine nuances ofContinue reading “Insufficiency”

Deserved?

Genesis 26:12 Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the LORD blessed him. One of the common ways to think about life is this: if you do some good stuff, good stuff will come your direction. It is almost like a math equation. Good stuff in, good stuffContinue reading “Deserved?”

Framing

Genesis 15:2-3 But Abram said, “Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” I paint. Walls, ceilings, exterior surfaces. But IContinue reading “Framing”