Remembering
Read: Psalm 78:7-39 . . . so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments . . . (v. 7) I’m one of those people who feels everything. I typically can’t even watch the news and expect to sleep for thinking of the horrors […]
A Prayer and Tears Change God’s Mind
Read: 2 Kings 20:1-19 Behold, I will heal you . . . and I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for my servant David’s sake. (vv. 5-6) […]
God Waits to Turn Toward Us in Mercy
Read: Isaiah 30:15-21 The Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him . . . He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. (vv. 18-19) […]
After Broken Vows
Read: Judges 16:15-31 “Sovereign Lord, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me just one more time . . .” Then Samson put his hands on the two center pillars that held up the temple. Pushing against them with both hands, he prayed, “Let me die with the Philistines.” (vv. 28-30 NLT) Samson’s story, from […]
Living in the Tension
Read: Exodus 33:15-34:9 The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty. (vv. 6-7) If I want to know God better, it’s important to study […]
Redirection
Read: Proverbs 16:1-9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. (v. 9 NIV) Planning a trip from New York to San Diego, I could find the fastest route or I could find another thousand roads that will get me to the same destination. If traveling is a metaphor for […]
January Prayer Guide 2021
SOUTH SUDAN — Pray for the production and reception of a series of programs titled, “Peace Building and Conflict Resolution.” Our local leadership in South Sudan is encouraging listeners to focus on the example of Christ, our Prince of Peace. They also ask for continued prayer support regarding efforts to combat COVID-19 in their country, […]
Moses Seeks Favor and God Relents
In this series, we will explore God’s free will to deviate from what he has set in motion. We don’t normally think of God in these terms, but the Bible is clear—there are times when God responds to his people in surprising ways. Scripture refers to this ability using words such as “relent,” “regret,” “turn,” or even “repent” (in the King James Version).
It’s Okay
Read: 2 Corinthians 5:16–6:2 In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. (v. 19) The car in front of me grabbed the last spot in the parking garage while a steady rain pelted and wind swirled outside. Parking in the […]