In the Book of Revelation, Jesus dictates letters to seven young churches in modern-day Turkey. Jesus says that the church in Ephesus has done many things well, but “you have lost your first love” Revelation 2:4. What can you do if you have lost your first love? What is the solution? The loss of firstContinue reading “Have You Lost Your First Love? Don’t Give Up! 2 Chronicles 31:4-8.”
Tag Archives: Prayer
Give God Your Heart and Every Emotion You Find Therein. Psalm 88: a Paraphrase.
Psalm 88. —By Heman, son of Korah, of the tribe of Levi, servant to King David. Oh, God who saves! I’ve been crying to you day and night! Listen to me! My soul is filled with trouble. I can feel my life slipping toward the grave. I’m as good as dead. Might as well callContinue reading “Give God Your Heart and Every Emotion You Find Therein. Psalm 88: a Paraphrase.”
YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN. Matthew 5-7.
Official portrait of King Charles by Jonathan Yeo, revealed March 13, 2024. Royals have many titles. Before he was crowned King, England’s Prince Charles bore many titles: “The Prince of Wales, Earl of Chester, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Lord of the Isles, Baron of Renfrew, and the Prince and GreatContinue reading “YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN. Matthew 5-7.”
JFK, the Moon Landing, the Flat Earth. 2 Timothy 2:23.
“Conspiracy Theory” is an apt phrase because it captures an idea for which no other phrase fits. But let’s use instead a phrase not invented by the CIA. Let’s use the broader language of “current events.” We all want to understand current events. Everyone wants answers: who started this war or that war? What roleContinue reading “JFK, the Moon Landing, the Flat Earth. 2 Timothy 2:23.”
He Hears Your Voice. Psalm 55.
God hears. No matter what day, no matter what is going on. No matter what you have done—God hears. Take your complaints, your hurt, your fear, and broken heart to God. He hears you. He loves you. He will deliver you. When David was upset and afraid, he wrote Psalm 55. “But I call toContinue reading “He Hears Your Voice. Psalm 55.”
DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN? Judges 2:10-12,14.
When I was a child in Sunday school, I always wondered what went wrong? We would read about Adam and Eve, the way they walked with God in the garden. But in a few generations, people were so evil, God chose to flood the earth and start over. Then Noah and his three sons andContinue reading “DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN? Judges 2:10-12,14.”
WHAT WORDS DO YOU PRAY? Colossians 1:9-12.
I remember being asked to pray in public as a child. I LOVED public speaking, but was terrified of public praying. What if you can’t think of something to say? What if you love your friends or family or students, but don’t know what to ask God for on their behalf? Does the Bible provideContinue reading “WHAT WORDS DO YOU PRAY? Colossians 1:9-12.”
JESUS’S SECRET. Luke 5:15-16; 6:12.
YouTube is a parade of infomercials—ads for diet secrets, health secrets, stress-reducing secrets, and more. The one I hate most is a muscular young man in a selfie video: “If you’re a guy between 25 and 55, listen up,” and he begins explaining why cardio won’t work, but don’t worry, he has the secret toContinue reading “JESUS’S SECRET. Luke 5:15-16; 6:12.”
CELEBRITY. Matthew 4:23-25.
Have you ever walked into a store and been dogged by the sales staff when you wish they would leave you alone? If you’re like me, you want to browse the store a bit, get a feel for products and prices, and maybe you’ll try something on or maybe you’ll walk out and hit theContinue reading “CELEBRITY. Matthew 4:23-25.”
David Asks God to Make Him Pure.
How much do you pray? Do you pray every day? For five minutes? Ten? Are any of your prayers unselfish? In Psalm 141, David prays unselfishly that God would make him more obedient, more pure-hearted, and more pleasing to God. “Lord, set up a guard for my mouth; keep watch at the door of myContinue reading “David Asks God to Make Him Pure.”
Household Words: 