A Better Hope
Read: Hebrews 7:11-28 But on the other hand, a better hope is introduced. (v. 19) When I was in college, I worked at a camp for elementary school students. Each week the counselors would put on a skit teaching the basic rules for the week. We’d find clever ways to explain why campers weren’t allowed to […]
A Solid Promise
Read: Hebrews 6:13-20 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul. (v. 19) I grew up in a church that sang hymns—I mean, sang them with skill and passion. The congregation sang in harmony and the sanctuary resonated with strong voices. Every week we sang the “Doxology,” and I still find myself […]
We Belong
Read: Hebrews 3 For we have come to share in Christ. (v. 14) Have you ever been to a convention, seminar, or training session? One of the first things you do is pick up your name tag, which you then wear constantly for the rest of the event. These tags identify you by name, but they […]
Becoming Like Us
Read: Hebrews 2:10-18 Because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (v. 18) I started skiing when I was three years old. Skiing is in my family’s DNA. So naturally, when I first met my husband, I tried to teach him to ski! He would need to […]
Spitting Image
Read: Hebrews 1:1-4 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature. (v. 3) While my husband was away for a couple of weeks, I took my two boys with me to visit the church where my husband and I worshiped when we were in seminary. I told the […]
August 2023 Prayer Guide
INDIA — Words of Hope in India is engaged in many community development projects. Through these projects, the team seeks to reach out to benefit needy individuals in the community with the love and compassion of Jesus. This year, another Words of Hope tailoring center was opened in the Garhwali region. Twenty women have enrolled […]
Free to Love
Read: 1 John 4:7-21 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. (v. 12 NIV) Let’s start by stating these truths: “God is love” (v. 16), and without God there’s no love (v. 19). There is no shame nor is there fear […]
Belonging
Read: Romans 8:12-17 Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. (v. 14 NIV) There are unspoken battles on the inside of most, if not all, of us. The apostle Paul described this: “I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I […]
New Beginnings
Read: Romans 8:1-11 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (v. 1 NIV) The word that catches my eyes and heart most in this passage is in verse 1: the word now. This word is crucial to our understanding of what this verse is saying to us. In Romans 1-7, […]