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 […]
Gratitude
Read: Psalm 100 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! (v. 4) Pastor, author, and speaker Max Lucado has defined gratitude as this: “More aware of what you have than what you don’t. Recognizing the treasure in the simple—a child’s hug, fertile soil, a golden […]
Prayer in Heaven
Read: Revelation 4 Day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy.” (v. 8) We don’t know the first words someone prayed when “people began to call upon the name of the LORD” (Gen. 4:26). We do know the words of prayer that will echo through all eternity. The four living creatures of […]
Why Celebrate Advent?
The weeks leading up to Christmas can be hectic—Christmas programs, work parties, school events, shopping, wrapping, cooking, baking, cleaning the house, preparing to travel. The list of things to do at this time of year can seem endless. What’s more, the mad dash toward Christmas seems to start earlier and earlier every year. It can […]
When Words Fail
Read: Romans 8:18-30 The Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (v. 26) Times of prayer can be full of sweet conversation with our heavenly Father. There are also times when words do not come. We simply do not know what to pray. Our pain and suffering find dissonance with the […]
What is Advent?
Advent is the season of the Christian calendar that comes directly before Christmas. Its name comes from the Latin word, adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival.”
Singing Amid Suffering
Read: Acts 16:16-34 Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God. (v. 25) One brave man I know lives in Bhutan. Sharing the gospel is forbidden. One Sunday I met a group of Christians in his house. I was surprised to hear them sing joyful praise that could be heard in the neighborhood. […]