You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows (Psalm 23:5, esv). Have you made a few enemies in your lifetime? The right answer to that question should be, “I hope so.” Please don’t get me wrong—we don’t enjoy having enemies, and we […]
My beloved is mine, and I am his (Song of Solomon 2:16, esv). We all start out in life as selfish, prideful people, wishing the world would revolve around us—what we want, what we need, what we think is right, what we hope will happen. That’s just one of the reasons that the introduction of […]
So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to […]
“May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us, so the world may believe You sent Me” (John 17:21, hcsb). All of us want to see more of our prayers answered, don’t we? That’s why we ought to be praying for […]
Behold, I am a servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:38, esv). What do you think of when you hear the word surrender? For me it’s “Come out with your hands up!” Maybe you picture waving a white flag. But the biggest battle we face is […]
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. (Luke 1:26–27, esv). Times were tough in the nation of Israel. Occupied by the Romans, […]
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6, nkjv). We cannot appreciate the glory of Christmas unless we understand the depth of the problem it […]
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content (Philippians 4:11, esv). In Philippians 4:11 Paul wrote, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” Paul knew how to be content in highs and in lows, in abundance and in […]
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 When a royal child is born he is not immediately king, but even as a baby he is […]
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6, esv). Names are illuminating—especially when God Himself does the naming. So when Scripture says “his name shall […]