Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” John 20:28 NIV Thomas shall forever be the disciple known as “Doubting Thomas.” But when I look at the other details we’re given about this follower of Jesus, I have to admit, I find him very easy to relate to and …
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15 NIV There are no “lone” Christians. As members of the body of Christ we are all family. We enjoy life together when all is well and benefit from each others support when life gets hard. That’s the way …
When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. John 6:16-18 NIV As …
Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to …
Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering… he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4a, 5 NIV Take a moment to reflect upon all Christ has …
Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). 2 Chronicles 20:2 NIV Jehoshaphat had to deal with two pieces of bad news: The …
Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. Psalm 119:1-3 NLT The simple truth is, you will never …
A man’s wisdom gives him patience, it is to his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11 NIV Glory? Isn’t that what God desires as a product of the lives we live? Are we not taught to glorify God in all we do? Aren’t we taught to pray that we …
I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Psalm 119:75-76 NIV I have to admire this psalmist’s relationship with God. There is something special about knowing God so …
So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Zechariah 4:6-7a NIV Sometimes the obstacles that stand in our …
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When …
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! Psalm 139:17-18 NLT We serve a God that we cannot see with our eyes or hear …
And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” Numbers 14:4 NIV What what was life like for the people when they were living in Egypt? They had slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor. Ex. 1:11 Their lives were …
“Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.” For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is …
I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. “I have given them the glory you gave me, so …
The one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:6b I was at the Jersey shore this weekend watching surfers navigate the rough waters of hurricane Hermine. There were two challenges the surfers faced. First they had to paddle through a …