His Father Saw Him
Read: Luke 15:11-24 But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. (v. 20) When I was a child, I got on the wrong bus on my way home from my very first day of school. My anxious parents were looking […]
Son and Daughter
Read: Matthew 9:1-8; 18-22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” (v. 22) My dad would lovingly say to me, “You’s a good daughter!” Instead of saying, “You’re,” he purposely used improper English followed by a sweet smile and often a peck on the cheek. I loved […]
Carried by the Shepherd
Read: Isaiah 40:1-11 He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart. (v. 11 NIV) David reminds us in Psalm 100 that we are the Lord’s sheep. We belong to him! Isaiah continues with this beautiful image of the Lord as our shepherd. He not only tells us that our sovereign […]
His
Read: Psalm 100 It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. (v. 3) Picture a beautiful, lush pastureland. The sheep are lazily grazing as if they did not have a care in the world. Their shepherd is nearby protecting them. He tends to them […]
Lives Changed in Indonesia
We received the following testimony from a man named Alexander who is in his 60s and who attends a Words of Hope listener community group in Indonesia. “God changed my life through devotion and discussion of God’s Word in the community meetings,” shares Alexander. “Before I joined the community, I liked to drink liquors such […]
Chosen
Read: Ephesians 1:1-6 For he chose us in him. (v. 4 NIV) Do you remember a time when you were chosen for something? Maybe you were chosen for an athletic team or musical group. Or perhaps you were chosen to read in class or join a club. How did that make you feel? Special? Loved? Wanted? […]
Ties of Love
Read: Hosea 11:1-11 I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. (v. 4 NIV) The phrase “ties of love” from our passage reminds me of preschoolers walking with their teachers, holding tightly to a rope. This rope is for their safety, binding them together through the love and care of their teachers. […]
You Are Mine
Read: Isaiah 43:1-7 I have called you by name, you are mine. (v. 1) “You are mine” are strong words of belonging. Children cry, “Mine!” when a toy is taken from them. They want it back especially when it’s theirs. God’s people had a history of straying from him. God wanted them back. He says, “You […]
Banner of Love
Read: Song of Solomon 2 My beloved is mine, and I am his. (v. 16) When children sing the song “His Banner Over Me Is Love,” they are encouraged to put their arms over their heads interlocking their hands demonstrating God’s banner of love that covers them. In the Old Testament, banners were raised to proclaim […]