Grateful for Sunsets
Read: Psalm 2 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. (v. 11) My family lives about 25 miles from the sandy shores of Lake Michigan. While we do not often watch the sunset over the vast waters, our view to the west provides the chance to see vivid pinks, oranges, and yellows as […]
Grateful for Sunrises
Read: Lamentations 3:19-27 “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” (v. 24) I love the beauty of the sunrise. As the first piercing bursts of color in the morning sky break the dawn, I am reminded of God’s providence for yet another day. The book of Lamentations is […]
Grateful for a Living Hope
Read: 1 Peter 1:3-12 According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (v. 3) On our first day in this series, we considered a quote by Max Lucado, intended to inspire our thinking in a world of […]
Grateful for What Has Been
Read: Psalm 139 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! (v. 23) Are you grateful for how your life has gone so far? Perhaps you can readily praise God for the family he put you in, the friends he has blessed you with, or the talents he gave […]
In Times of Need
Read: Matthew 5:1-16 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (v. 3) Today’s reading takes us back to the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus had a captive audience eager to hear his every word. They came in droves, willing to give up food and shelter and sleep. They were […]
In Times of Plenty
Read: Proverbs 3:1-18 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (v. 5) It’s easy to want more, isn’t it? More money. More things. More of what someone else has. And if not more, maybe it’s a consistent desire for an upgrade of one of your most […]
Living Free: Martin’s Journey from Bondage to Freedom
Martin Obbo sat clutching his boda boda helmet, hesitant and reflective. He lives in the country of Uganda.
Gratitude Takes Focus
Read: Matthew 6:19-34 The eye is the lamp of the body. (v. 22) The closing verses of Matthew 6 are one of my favorite portions of Scripture. The reminders there of God’s all-encompassing care for us for today, for tomorrow, and forever are a comfort in both the best of days and the most challenging […]
Giving in Gratitude
Read: Galatians 6:1-10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone. (v. 10) In the United States, we’re approaching Thanksgiving, a day when we pause and reflect on God’s provision throughout another year, and his enduring faithfulness to us always. Families and friends gather for holiday meals, and often share the […]