Do Not Lie
Read: 2 Kings 4:16-17, 25-37 Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me?’” (v. 28) As part of our tradition on Christmas, my extended family plays the white elephant gift-giving exchange. During this highly energetic and fun game, the hardest thing to watch is […]
I’m All Alone
Read: 1 Kings 19:9-18 I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away. (vv. 10, 14) One of my favorite poems is “Footprints in the Sand.” As I read it, I love the reassuring imagery of God in the flesh walking right next to us. Conversely, I shudder at […]
Call Me Mara
Read: Ruth 1:3-9, 16-22 Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. (v. 20) Recently, I became aware of a concept called “Class Reunion Syndrome.” In Psychology Today, Dr. Mary C. Lamia writes, “It’s common for high school reunions to trigger anxiety about appearance and status.” […]
Show Me a Sign
Read: Judges 6:15-17, 36-39; 7:1-7 Show me a sign that it is you who speak with me. (6:17) In the 1984 classic movie Karate Kid, one of the best scenes is when the teen star, Daniel, is getting beat up by five bullies from his high school. All of a sudden, his elderly neighbor, a […]
July Prayer Guide 2021
BHUTAN — A Bhutanese church leader shared the following update with us: “It’s been many months that I am getting the privilege to share the Word of God during Sunday fellowship in our local church. I am preaching mostly from Words of Hope’s YouTube sermons because they are not only consistent, but also very relevant […]
Do You Believe God?
Read: Hebrews 11:1-12 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (v. 6) In the classic movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Indiana embarks upon a search for the Holy Grail. When he […]
A Parent’s Blessing
Read: Matthew 10:37-42 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. (v. 39) We were visiting a supporting church in the United States. A middle-aged man said to me, “Our son wants to go into mission work. My wife and I are hesitant to endorse […]
Estevan Prayed
Read: Ephesians 6:10-16 Take your stand against the devil’s schemes. (v. 11 NIV) The Theological Education by Extension Program was finishing its fifth year. The goal of this program was theological training for the many new believers who would be teaching and evangelizing among their people. Over four hundred Tzeltals participated, each taking three courses […]
Heaven-sent Wisdom
Read: Leviticus 19:18; James 3:13-18 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (v. 17 NIV) Calixto and Maria had been childless for years. Calixto’s single sister lived with them too. Maria and Calixto had talked of adopting […]