Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6–7, esv). Peace is the calm assurance that what God is doing […]
The Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners (Isaiah 61:1, nasb). I will never forget the first time I saw the Rockies. I was maybe eight years old, riding in the back of […]
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple (Psalm 19:7, esv). God’s Word transforms us. It changes and renovates us. And according to Psalm 19:7, it converts death into life and spiritual ignorance into wisdom. The word law in “the law of the Lord” translates the Hebrew Torah as […]
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13, esv). It doesn’t take a long look at the world around us to wonder if the whole thing has gone crazy. In the midst […]
The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (Exodus 34:6–7, esv). Let’s say you’ve got some unpleasant news to deliver to someone you’re worried about offending […]
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him (Psalm 34:8, esv)! When we go through hard times, we need truths to cling to for dear life. We need the truth of God’s presence: He is always with us. We need the truth of God’s sovereignty: […]
He came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God” (Luke 1:28–30, esv). […]
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift (Matthew 5:23–24, esv). Forgiveness is the starting point in restoring relational harmony—there are […]
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9:7) It’s tempting […]
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). We all have favorite memories of Christmas. Maybe it’s a family tradition, a vivid scene from childhood, […]