HEBREWS 10:32-39 Homes in and around the central Texas community of Bastrop were destroyed by a raging wildfire at the beginning of September 2011. The headline of an article published a few weeks later in the Austin American-Statesman newspaper read, “People who lost the most, focus on what wasn’t lost.” The story discussed the community’s … [Read more…]
JOSHUA 24:2,8-14 As she put together lunch for her 3-year-old daughter, a young mother sighed. She said aloud, “If we just had a basket of fruit, I would feel rich!” when she noticed the empty fruit basket on the table in their small kitchen. Her young daughter heard her. Weeks went by. God provided for the … [Read more…]
MATTHEW 21:28-32; 1 JOHN 3:18 The student realised at the conclusion of the term that he needed a higher grade in order to participate in sports. What was he to do? I gave him two days to finish the assignments he had missed in order to raise his grade. He replied, “I am grateful. I will … [Read more…]
PSALM 119:105-112 Small compasses helped 27 sailors survive World War II. After being attacked, their ship caught fire and started to sink. Compass-equipped lifeboats were lowered into the water by Waldemar Semenov and his crew, who then used the compasses to direct them toward the shipping lanes closer to land. They were saved after three days. We … [Read more…]
PROVERBS 13:10-20 A couple went camping. One evening, as they were making their way back to their campground, they noticed two male bears boxing each other’s ears in the midst of a grassland. They halted to observe. They inquired of a hiker who was passing by about the conflict. “A young female,” he said. They questioned, “Where is she?” … [Read more…]
HABAKKUK 1:1-11; ISAIAH 55:8 Why is the sober victim gravely hurt in an accident while the drunk driver walks away unharmed? Why do evildoers thrive while good men suffer? How often have events in our lives left us feeling so perplexed? As he observed the unpleasant circumstances in Judah, where immorality and injustice were pervasive, Habakkuk was … [Read more…]
PSALM 34:1-7; ISAIAH 41:13 I made the choice to fly the lengthy distance. I felt just as nervous getting on the plane as I had the first time. In any case, what exactly is holding up the plane? We should not be terrified by irrational or even justified worries. King Saul, who was envious of David’s popularity … [Read more…]
2 CORINTHIANS 11:21-30 We could see the man’s serious cuts on his body thanks to the large, sharp close-up image on the enormous screen. He was being beaten by a soldier while a frantic crowd laughed at the bloodied victim. The visuals were so vivid that I groaned and wept as if I could actually feel … [Read more…]
1 PETER 5:1-9; JAMES 4:7 The man observed a fish emerge from the dense undergrowth to investigate. He approached and glanced at the enticing bait at the end of his line before backing into the weeds. He came a second time before he discovered the hook. He waved his tail, then vanished, never to be seen again. … [Read more…]
JOSHUA 5:13–6:2 Even though an army officer may have a general strategy, he must receive and pass on fresh orders before every battle. The Israelite commander Joshua had to learn this lesson the hard way. He was chosen by God to lead Israel into the land that He had given them. The city of Jericho was … [Read more…]
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