Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray . . . ” (Luke 11:1–2, esv). Roughly 60 percent of Americans claim they pray daily. Another nearly […]
Then Samson called to the Lord and said, “O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.” . . . Then he bowed with all his strength, and the house fell. . . . So the dead […]
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7, ESV). Israel’s first king was Saul. He […]
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (Psalm 23:1, esv). Think how much of our misery comes from our wanting. Wanting a particular level of income. Wanting a specific kind of vacation. Wanting a certain desired job, position, or assignment. Wanting to be like somebody else, or wanting what they have. Wanting this, […]
And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating […]
Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5, esv). What’s one of the hardest things you do in a typical day or typical week? Something job-related? Something to do with your kids? Your marriage? Your in-laws? Something physical, like […]
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 29:13–14a, ESV). The most important choice you will ever make in your life is to choose God. To choose to connect with the God who made you and me and […]
We exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory (1 Thessalonians 2:12, esv). Have you ever walked anywhere accidentally? I’m not asking if you’ve been on a walk and ended up somewhere unplanned. I mean, […]
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold (Job 23:10, ESV). Job knew suffering. This one man absorbed more pain than most of us ever have to imagine. In a single day, Job lost his wealth and all ten of his children. Then he […]
And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail (Isaiah 58:11, esv). More than just the seat of emotions, your heart represents the immaterial part of you […]