You must present as the LORD’s portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you. (Numbers 18:29) When we first moved to California, I wondered about the ball-shaped plants I saw hanging in sycamore trees in the park near our home. I was charmed to learn they were...
Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise...
Jesus: If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. (John 7:17) You will recall that Pastor Paul taught on this verse back in August.* He said that to know God’s will, we...
I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power in the inner man through His Spirit, and that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith. (Ephesians 3:16-17) Last Monday was Reformation Day (as well as Halloween). Four hundred...
Jesus: You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:43-44) Let me be honest. I dislike a couple of...
If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me!(Psalm 66:18-20) Sin blocks communion with God. I don’t think this passage...
So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. (Luke 15:20) I chose a phone as the new image for the prayer blog because it is a symbol of communication. Prayer, after all...
And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. (James 5:15) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends understanding...
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. (Luke 18:1) Over the summer, I came across a little blue notebook in which I had started a prayer journal two years ago. At that time, I was experiencing the aftermath of unresolved conflict...
Jesus: If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.(Luke 9:23) We often sat directly in front of Steve at our church in Detroit. Steve worked as a prison guard and was missing half of one of his fingers. I always wondered why. The...