Face to Face
Gazi sat in front of his television mindlessly flipping through the channels. He was looking for something more than entertainment, but he didn’t know exactly what it was. He stopped at a Christian station called SAT-7 TV. He was intrigued by a Bible teaching and devotional program called Umut Dolu Sözler, or Words Filled with […]
Courage Under Fire
Read: Exodus 32:11-16 And the LORD relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people. (v. 14) If the word courageous had a picture next to it in the dictionary, I think an image of Moses would be a top contender. When the call on Moses’ life came in the form […]
The Time Is Now
Read: Esther 4 And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (v. 14) I appreciate the many displays of God’s power and provision contained in the Old Testament. Only God could envision wiping the earth clean with a flood (Genesis 7) or parting the Red Sea […]
The Spirit Speaks for You
Read: Mark 13:3-13 And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. (v. 11) As Christians, our greatest joy should be sharing the […]
An Encouraging Word
Read: Philippians 4:1-20 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (v. 19) Years ago I claimed as my life verse Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” Generally, this verse serves as a comforting reminder that God always has […]
Thorns
Read: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 For when I am weak, then I am strong. (v. 10) In Paul’s second letter to the believers in Corinth, he addresses many subjects: a previous problem at the church, the value and intention of their ministry, his happiness over their repentance, and the importance of giving. There was a lot […]
Overcome Evil
Read: Romans 12:14-21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (v. 21) Sometimes, I feel like there is evil all around me. I hear about a mass shooting, and innocent lives taken. I read a story about men, women, and children forced into slavery by human traffickers. My news is filled […]
Rest
Read: Matthew 11:25-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (v. 28) In 1894, Labor Day became a federal holiday in the United States and has historically been observed on the first Monday of September. While many try to pack the lingering moments of the summer […]
Mere Man
Read: Psalm 56 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. (v. 3) In the United States, many people remember where they were on September 11, 2001. The tragedy of 9/11 occurred far from our northeast Iowa home, but fear, uncertainty, and the reality of evil was very real and felt very close […]