Faith

You’re heard the proverbial question, “If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self?” Our minds flash back to that stupid mistake (or series of mistakes) we made as teenagers. Or we think of the first marriage. Or the second one. Or the third one. We may feel that residual pang of regret, even if …

When Jesus saw him lying there … he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6) Picture yourself walking through a hospital, surrounded by sick, hurting and scared people. Some have been recently admitted; others have been there days, possibly weeks. Now imagine walking up to someone who has been there for 38 years and asking him, “Hey, …

A few months ago someone said something about me that was untrue. I won’t elaborate. I’ll just say that it really stung; it kind of grated on me for a while. The thing that bothered me most was I didn’t understand why it was bothering me so much! As offenses go, it was rather minor. Even so, for some reason …

He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40) Who is foolish enough to plan a sailing trip knowing a storm is headed straight for him? Well, Jesus did (Mark 4:35-41). Of course, it makes a big difference when you know you will safely arrive at your intended destination in spite …

Blindsided, flattened as if by a freight train, and covered in toxic slime. Ever felt like that? Chances are, each one of you has been mistreated so badly at some point in your life that you were left dumbfounded. Interactions with abusive (or just plain mean) people can leave you feeling as though you’re covered in a funky, debilitating slime. …

And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (I Kings 19:9) In addition to asking about our past, God often questions the present. It is one thing to agree with God about past failures; it is quite another to discuss my present course of action. Confessing to a mistake is admission of something I …

What if our greatest mistakes in life lead to our most abundant blessings? Major screw-up = amazing outcome. Wouldn’t that be awesome? We have all experienced God’s redemptive power upon accepting Him as Lord of our lives. But it doesn’t stop there. God can and will redeem and bring greatness from our mistakes when we submit them to Him and let …

When he went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” (II Kings 5:25) No matter where you go, God is there. Jonah could not outswim God. Paul ran into God on the dusty Damascus road. Even King David pondered the inescapability from God: Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I …

Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? (Job 38:4). Until and unless you accept God as more than a curious entity swirling around somewhere in outerspace, you will have warped views about Him, yourself, and this thing called life. This question confronts us with who God is and affirms His sovereign control. The story of Job confirms he …

But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9) Initially, that may sound like a weird question. Um, God; I’m right here. You know all things so You already know that answer. Next question, please. Yes, He does know all things. But the amazing thing about God’s questions is that He asks them not for His …