The Lonely Valley The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want . . . Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:1,4 ESV David, a shepherd himself, wrote Psalm 23. …
Category Archives: Devotion
Empowering Church Leaders Through Prayer and Support
Moses said to the Lord, “Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? Did I conceive all this people? Did I give them birth, that you should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse …
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Rueing ‘the good old days’
“And the people complained . . .” Numbers 11:1 ESV Those four words are a refrain that is repeated time and again throughout the Israelites’ journey across the desert. They complained, they grumbled, they fussed, they wallowed in their discontent. They bellyached about the heavenly bread – Manna – which God sent them from heaven. …
Mount Moriah
“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Genesis 22:12 This passage begins, “Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God …
Sheep and Goats
All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Matthew 25:32-33 (NIV) I used to struggle with this parable. It almost seems to preach a gospel …
Loving Like Christ
“Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14 ESV As I was pondering this verse and its application to my own life, the Holy Spirit led me to another Scripture that states, “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:8). 1 John 4:16 …
The Cost of Sin
“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 ESV My …
Knowledge or Love?
Knowledge puffs up but love builds up. 1 Corinthians 8:1 (ESV) The context of this verse is a discussion the Corinthian believers were having about food offered to idols. While some believers in the Corinthian church were scrupulous about what they bought, checking whether or not it had been used in any sacrificial ritual, others, …
Take Courage
“And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the Lord …
Fully Known Yet Fully Loved
Jacob’s story gives me hope. Why would He choose me with all my faults and flaws? But that is not how grace works. Grace is undeserved favor. And that grace has spilled over me, rendering me lovable and worthy in His sight. My imperfections are covered by His blood.