You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. —Psalm 139:1 The Green Hornet was a radio show created in 1936 about a fictional crime fighter who had uncanny insight. He saw things no one else saw. I had a friend who was a Green Hornet fan. When he asked a difficult question, and […]
This I call to mind, and therefore I have hope. —Lamentations 3:21 The song, The Way We Were, begins with the words, “Memories light the corners of my mind.” Three thoughts about memories: Some memories need to be forgotten. “[God] blots out your transgressions . . . and remembers your sins no more” (Isa
[We] will see his face. —Revelation 22:4 What will it be like when we see Jesus? Gospel singer Bart Millard wondered about that after his father’s death—and he wrote a song about it. Here are some of the words: Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for you, Jesus,
This is the way, walk in it. —Isaiah 30:21 “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal 5:22). You must make choices today. How about being guided by the above verse? Choose love. Love God and everyone God loves. Choose joy. Rejoice
The tongue of the wise brings healing. —Proverbs 12:18 The doctor’s credentials were impressive, but his manners were abrasive. He had the communication skills and compassion of a cabbage—brusque and tactless. Ring any bells? We all encounter tactless people—and distance ourselves. A tactless pulpit
How often should I forgive someone who sins against me? —Matthew 18:21 Keep replaying the scene where you were wronged, and when you come to the end, it isn’t THE END. The end is bitterness. Peter asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
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I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. —Philippians 4:13 “I can’t get over my bitterness.’ “I can’t conquer my temptation.” “I can’t forgive my spouse.” “I can’t overcome my resentment.” “I can’t control my tongue.” Is “can’t” the right word? Or would a more accurate word be “won’t”? “What I
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Let us examine our ways and test them. —Lamentations 3:40 Self-examination is frequently self-deceptive because we are skillful at self-justification. When we compare ourselves with others, we lean toward comparing our virtues with their vices. We are more tolerant of our own weaknesses and sins than
My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. —Matthew 26:38 In the little church where I did my first full-time preaching, there was a sweet couple who lost three children before they reached school age. I couldn’t fathom the depth of their agony and hadn’t a clue how to console them.
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I press on toward the goal. —Philippians 3:14 The piano sits idle. It is full of the music of Vladimir Horowitz, Frederic Chopin, and Ludwig van Beethoven—but only from the fingers of hours of disciplined dedication. Whether you do or don’t spend hours running the scales is your decision—but if you want
