Category: daily meditations
I need your loving discipline!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 23 “Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4) I could spend time on every part of this psalm, there’s so much here. And yet my heart gets caught on the rod and staff. Used for prodding, pulling, or gently punishing if needed. Yet there is comfort every time the…
Here I am, Lord, use me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Numbers 26-29 “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him.” (Numbers 27:18) Buried in this boring reading on a census and regulations for offerings, I find this gem. Joshua is a man in whom is the spirit of leadership. Not just…
Your enemy is on the prowl
THE STORY OF JESUS: Numbers 21-25 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) Today’s reading is from the book of Numbers, but the text is from 1 Peter 5. What struck me was the subtle ways the Enemy uses to derail God’s plan….
Recognizing God’s Hand
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 17:9-13 “Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him.” (12) Is it possible that God is doing something in your life right now, and you don’t realize it? All you can see is the hard stuff, the bad stuff, or the ‘ordinary’ stuff. Your life is many things, but…
Crowned with glory!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 17:1-8 A great prince falls from his horse into mud; the horse bolts, leaving him stranded. Mud-covered, limping, he is unrecognizable to the people he meets. He begs for help, explains who he is, what he can do for them, but they don’t listen. They treat him as an ordinary serf,…
Give it up for Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 16:24-28 “Whoever loses their life for me will find it.” (25) Jim Elliot was one of five missionaries killed while serving among the Huaorani people of Ecuador. His quote seems to echo what Jesus is saying here as well. Nothing in this life is worth comparing to the full treasure of…
Get behind me Satan!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 16:21-23 “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me.” (23) Do you have negative or deceptive voices in your life? Either from people, even loved ones, or as thoughts in your head? The Satan is a deceiving voice, always trying to mess us up. Adam and Eve faced…
Inspired by a funeral!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 22 “I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you.” (22) I attended the funeral of a passionate ambassador for the kingdom of God. He fought a short, painful battle with cancer; he lost that battle but won the Fight! He and his family certainly…
Mercy remains!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Numbers 17-20 “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.” (Numbers 20:12) God’s business of restoring His creation kingdom is serious. As God’s mission team, especially leaders, we need to…