Poor poor Leah. I know what it’s like to be picked last on a team, but I’ve never been my husband’s second choice for a wife. Jacob liked Leah’s sister, Rachel, the pretty-faced hottie with a body. Jacob thought he was working seven years for Rachel, but woke up the night after the wedding with a gasp of horror at his father-in-law’s switcheroo. Because Leah wasn’t what Jacob wanted, he kept working another seven years for the one he truly adored. Rachel. Our Compassionate God [box] But because Leah was unloved, the LORD let her have a child, while Rachel …
Raising Your Standard
[box] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 [/box] When I think of God-breathed, I picture God, up-close and personal, igniting life in Adam’s nostrils, awakening unlimited possibility-seeds in mankind. Just as God worked with dirt and breathed life, He used imperfect men as human pens. Breathing life on their truth-stories, His Spirit-seeds continue to produce every kind of good fruit in keeping with repentance. God describes his Word as a sword, just as our …
Everything Happens For A Reason?
“How can it be possible that everything happens for a reason? Some things are too painful!” Has a hurting friend ever said this? How did you respond? [box] “In your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15[/box] As Christians, our hope isn’t based on feelings and circumstances; it’s based on God’s character, Sovereignty, and unshakable love. The bright Jewel of heaven went through hell for us. Why? Because He’s all about redeeming our broken places. Look How …
Come Thirsty
When my stepdad visited last week, he told us a story about how as a little boy he liked to feed his calves fresh milk from buckets. The eager calves would stick in their heads so deep that they’d come out covered and dripping. Isn’t that the kind of dramatic effect we want when we plunge into the Word of God? We want our countenance to drip with so much of God’s love and light that others recount His wonders. Eternal Lord, help us assimilate Your Word so it becomes us. Moisturize our dead, dry parts. Restore our spiritual youth …
Why Read the Bible?
My child, I’m with you, waiting to lighten your day with Truth. Open yourself to freedom, joy, hope, health, & soul rest. Bathe in My pages that spear each test. Lean on Me when you can’t see. I’ll help you over-stand. Soak in grace. I was poured in your place! Truth seeps in the secret places, mending, brightening. I stumbled through wrath to make your path secure. Tiptoe close. Absorb My sweet-somethings in your ear. As the flower turns to the sun, or the dog to his master, so the soul turns to God. – William Temple To him who …
Hearing God
Even before we say “yes” to God, we hear His Spirit woo and whisper us near. Listen as He reminds us how to thrive in our listening adventure. Devour My Word, the Bible, your well-spring of foundational truth. Approach it thirsty, humbly, empty, letting its water wash your spirit, shape your desires. Mine its gold until it becomes you, infusing you with hope, clothing you with quiet confidence and captivating brilliance. Learn discernment by paying attention to My inner warnings and promptings. “Don’t touch that; don’t go there; yes, do that, take this path.” Learn to view narrow restrictions as …