Children grow up. Those, who once were under the shadow of the wings of their parents, grow their own wings and step out from the protection of their parents. Employees start their own business. Those, who once were under the shadow of the wings of their bosses, grow their own wings and step out from the protection of their employers. These things…

Have you ever thought, “I just feel like there’s something missing in my life”? What could it be? There’s a lot of things it could be, but how about a series of questions to explore this together? Do you come to church more than just Sunday morning? Are you in Bible class on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights? Do you read a…

The special providence of God is one of the richest blessings that children of God enjoy. In the Old Testament, Joseph was thrown into a pit, sold into slavery and ended up in an Egyptian prison. Many would ask, “Where’s God? Why has God allowed all of this to happen?” About 40 years after his brothers started him down this path of…

As Christians, one of the greatest blessings (or maybe THE greatest blessing) we have is hope. Can you think of anything better? In First Peter 1:13, the great apostle urges us to “fix” (NASB) our hope completely upon the gracious gift that Jesus will bring to us at His return. What a day that will be! Can you picture it? How do…

Have you ever noticed that many people tend to have “selective hearing,” but very few seem to have “selective speaking”? There are some folks who are just more interested in being heard than actually listening. There are a number of proverbs that speak to this matter of speaking. Consider these three. “Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is…

On a recent flight, I sat down next to a very talkative lady. In my lap was a legal pad and my Bible. “Is that an actual book?” she quickly asked, “You don’t see those much anymore, with everyone using electronic devices.” “Yes,” I gently responded, “it’s my Bible” (realizing that she had not recognized what kind of “book” it was). Her…

Have you ever had one of those stains? The kind where you worked on it yourself for a while. You checked the internet for additional ideas and solutions. Finally, you called the professionals. But, to your dismay, even they could not “get it out.” You will not find a stain more troublesome or impossible to expunge than that of personal sin. It…

God’s people had been taken into captivity by their enemy as punishment for continued rebellion and unfaithfulness to their faithful and loving God. But even while under the rule of a foreign regime, the Lord never stopped pleading with His wayward Judah to return to Him. His promise and plea:  “Please come back! Keep My commandments! Let’s be like we were before–you…