Ruth 1:15-18 (ESV) And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be…
Tunnel Vision
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him…
Stop Overanalyzing
Philippians 4:4-7 (TLB) Always be full of joy in the Lord; I say it again, rejoice! Let everyone see that you are unselfish and considerate in all you do. Remember that the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers….
Why Suffering?
Isaiah 61:1-7 (MSG) The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God anointed me. He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners. God sent me to announce the year of his grace—a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies—and to comfort all who mourn, to…
Double-Sided Sticky Tape
Proverbs 19:21 (AMP) Many plans are in a man’s mind, but it is the Lord’s Purpose for him that will stand (be carried out). It happens every time. God will give me a glimpse and I create a vivid picture. He will point me in a certain direction and I plot the destination. He speaks…
Unsettled
Proverbs 1:32-33 (NLT) For simpletons turn away from me—to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” Complacency – a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some danger, defect, or the like; self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction…
Fear of Greatness
Proverbs 22:4 (AMP) The reward of humility [that is, having a realistic view of one’s importance] and the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord is riches, honor, and life. “The enemy is subtle and warps truth into lies for us. He tells us we are being humble, responsible, and selfless, while we are killing the things…
Prickly People
Hebrews 10:23-25 (NLT) Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now…
Out of Obscurity
John 3:19-21 (MSG) “This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won’t come…
