"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,...
"Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy." (Ps 47:1 NIV) I have been exercising a lot more lately. I am not talking about those push-ups and sit-ups I do in the morning, either. The exercise I am talking about lasts all day long and makes me...
"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy...
"Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:35 NIV) I was pushing my shopping cart loaded with a week’s worth of groceries out of the store the other day when I suddenly heard, "Wait Dad you forgot!", behind me. My oldest son then ran...
The grocery store is a great place to get food for your body, but I have found out recently that it can be an even better place to find food for your heart, soul, and mind. This happened the other day as I was walking through the local store to get some oatmeal. Two...
"I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them." (John 17:13 NIV) I misplaced my joy this morning. I woke up to find it missing like a set of lost keys. I started...
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." (James 1:2-4 NIV) A walk with my boys got cut short the other day. We had been out for just a little while when...
"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." (Ps 126:3 NIV) I noticed something unusual today as I was working around the house: I wasn’t really working at all. I wouldn’t call it work when I was making the spaghetti for dinner, because I was...
"You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever." (Ps. 16:11 NASU) There is a wonderful quote from Ben Franklin that always makes me laugh and smile. It goes, "The Declaration of...
"God turned into good what you meant for evil." Genesis 50:20 Recently I read of something that happened during the Tsunami relief efforts. There was woman in a town in Thailand, whose baby died in the storm. Afterwards, she came to know the Lord, and she asked one of...