Overcoming a Poor Start

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!”(…)

More

Giving Thanks To

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever! 1Chronicles 16:34 (ESV) On this Thanksgiving Day there are reflections on the many things that we are thankful for. However, it is important to go beyond what we are thankful “for” to what who we are thankful “to.” Pastor(…)

More

SOMETIMES WE LOSE

In God we boast all day long,and we will continually give thanks to your name. (Selah)But you rejected and embarrassed us.You did not go into battle with our armies.You made us retreat from the enemy.Those who hate us take whatever they want from us. (Psalms 44:8-10 NET) When my son was about 9 years old and(…)

More

Jumping to the Wrong Conclusion

                  I jumped to conclusions and said, “I am cut off from your presence!”                                                                                                                              Psalm 31:22 NET             This morning I was reading Psalms 31 in the New English Translation when this verse stood out to me. Perhaps it is because it so often describes our quick reaction to life when things are not(…)

More

THE HEART OF THE MATTER

As I was reading Jeremiah, a verse caught my attention. In the context, Jeremiah is complaining to the Lord about the wicked who always seems to prosper. These whom the Lord allows to flourish, even have a show of religiosity. You are always on their lips, but far from their hearts. Jeremiah 12:2 NIV I(…)

More

The Beginning of the End

“In those days, the LORD began to reduce the size of Israel.” 2 Kings 10:32 NIV This verse is one that should attract the attention of those who want to learn lessons from the Old Testament history of Israel and Judah. After the death of Solomon, Israel was a divided kingdom. Ten tribes form the(…)

More