A Bad Habit Read: Exodus 17:1-7 They tempted the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” —Exodus 17:7 Most people have a bad habit or two. Some habits are just irritating, such as talking too much or too fast. Others are much more serious. Consider, for example, the bad habit developed by the people of ancient Israel. They had just been delivered from slavery (Exodus 14:30), and they ought to have been thankful. Instead, they started to complain to Moses and Aaron, “Oh, that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt!” […]

Contentment Philippians 4:4-13 “… I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Philippians 4:11 How in the world can Paul say that: “content whatever the circumstances”? It’s not hard at all to be content when everything is going our way, but what about those days when it all seems to fall apart? Must we mouth words about contentment then too? Does it mean that I must be satisfied to be a cancer patient? Does it mean that I must like major surgery? Must I welcome those haunting moments of radiation therapy? Does it mean that I must, as some […]

TRIALS DEVELOP PATIENCE (unfortunately) Verse: “The trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7). The Lord has chosen to develop patience and character in our lives through trials. Endurance cannot be attained by reading a book, listening to a sermon, or even praying a prayer. We must go through the difficulties of life, trust God, and obey Him. The result will be patience and character. Knowing this, we can face trials […]

Celebrate Winter Read: Psalm 42 Why are you cast down, O my soul? . . . Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. —Psalm 42:5 I love living where there are four seasons. But even though I love settling down with a good book by a crackling fire when it’s snowing, I must admit that my love for the seasons grows a little dim when the long gray days of winter drone on into February. Yet regardless of the weather, there is always something special about winter: Christmas! Thankfully, long after the […]

SPECIAL: TODAY! As Christians, we must live a day at a time. No person, no matter how wealthy or gifted, can live two days at a time. God provides for us “day by day” as we pray to him (Luke 11:3). He gives us the strength we need according to our daily requirements. We must not make the mistake of trying to “store up grace” for future emergencies, because God gives us the grace we need when we need it. When we learn to live a day at a time, confident of God’s care, it takes a great deal of […]

Following Where He Leads Read: 1 Kings 19:19–21 Then [Elisha] set out to follow Elijah and became his servant. 1 Kings 19:21 As a child, I looked forward to our church’s Sunday evening services. They were exciting. Sunday night often meant we got to hear from missionaries and other guest speakers. Their messages inspired me because of their willingness to leave family and friends—and at times, homes, possessions, and careers—to go off to strange, unfamiliar, and sometimes dangerous places to serve God. Like those missionaries, Elisha left many things behind to follow God (1 Kings 19:19–21). Before God called him […]

Load Line Read: 1 Peter 5:5-9 Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. —1 Peter 5:6-7 In the 19th century, ships were often recklessly overloaded, resulting in those ships going down and the crews being lost at sea. In 1875, to remedy this negligent practice, British politician Samuel Plimsoll led the charge for legislation to create a line on the side of a ship to show if it was carrying too much cargo. That “load line” became known as the […]

Prescription For Anxiety Read: Psalm 55:4-23 Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. —Psalm 55:22 According to a Wall Street Journal report, anxiety has overtaken depression as the leading mental health problem in the United States. Anxiety-fighting drugs are now the top-selling pharmaceutical products. Even with a booming economy and political stability, worry and apprehension remain part of our human condition—one that can never be adequately relieved by a pill. When David composed Psalm 55, his mind was agitated by the same types of situations we struggle […]

Consider Your Ways! Read: Haggai 1:1-11 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!” —Haggai 1:7 How long has it been since you read Haggai? If you’re like me, it’s been a while. Why not take a few minutes and read all 38 verses of this book. Look for the word consider. It occurs four times (1:5,7; 2:15,18). God spoke through Haggai to the Israelites who had returned from exile. He said, in effect, “Think about it. You don’t have enough to eat. Your clothes don’t keep you warm. You’re not prospering. I have commanded you to rebuild My […]

Peace In The Storm Read: Psalm 37:1-11 Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. —Psalm 37:5 During a terrible storm on the ocean, a small passenger ship rolled precariously in the roaring tempest. The furniture and anything else that could move was tied down, and the passengers were confined to their bunks for their own safety. Many on board thought the vessel was doomed. Finally, a passenger who was determined to find out if there was any hope for survival set out to see the one who was in command. […]