Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God. (Psalm 146:5) Pastor Randy Alcorn states: The happiest people in the world have a deep, gratitude-drenched relationship with Christ. We don’t pretend all is well. But knowing God’s commands to rejoice in Him through His all-sufficient power, we meditate on His word …
Christ: The Lifter of My Head
You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. (Psalm 3:3, NKJ) Why do we need Jesus to lift us up? One magazine surveyed readers about grief and nearly 10,000 people responded. Many had lost a loved one years ago, but still felt a continual sense of misery. Many still dreamed …
Total Forgiveness in Jesus: The Rooster Story
Expanded from Kairos Prison Ministry. Used also in teaching and counseling. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever. He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. (Psalm 103:8-9) The Story Jacob, an East Texas farmer, …
Jesus is Quiet Over You in His Love
The LORD your God…will be quiet over you in His love…. (Zephaniah 3:17, my translation1) From Christ is Everything to His Followers; Belhaven University (OT & NT Survey); Bible in 90 Days; other teaching, training, counseling, and prison work. An Illustration of Quiet Love Imagine a surgeon named Dolan, telling of a young woman he operated on. After she awakes …
Rejoicing in Christ’s Providence
When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul….The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD. (Psalm 94:18-19; Job 1:21) John Allen was an Irish farmer who owned a fine mare and one day the …
Christ’s Providence (Like a Surprise Garden)
The Son of God sustains all things by His powerful word….The LORD has established His throne in heaven and His kingdom rules over all….All this also comes from the LORD Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent. (Hebrews 1:3; Psalm 103:19; Isaiah 28:29) Anna’s Story Imagine young Anna growing up in Nashville, Tennessee.1 Every year her mother gave …
Christ Cares for Those Who Trust Him
Audio Version Listen to an audio version of this post Text Version From the class “Christ is All”. Used also at Belhaven University and in counseling and prison ministry. In the last two posts, we examined Nahum 1:7. When we take a Christ-centered approach to this Old Testament (“OT”) verse, it teaches the whole Bible’s message in a nutshell. …
Christ is Our Refuge in Time of Trouble
Audio Version Listen to an audio version of this post Text Version From the class “Christ is Everything to His Followers.” Used also at Belhaven University and in counseling and prison ministry. Nahum 1:7 summarizes much of the Bible’s teaching in a nutshell. If you missed it, you can read Christ is Good (Even in Hard Times) The LORD …
Christ is Good (Even in Hard Times)
Audio Version Listen to an audio version of this post. Text Version From “Christ is Everything to His Followers.” Used also at Belhaven University and in counseling and prison ministry. We gave an overview of the Old Testament (“OT”) book of Nahum elsewhere in class. Now let’s look at just one verse in three bites. It’s a favorite Scripture …
Safe in Christ (Part 2)
From “Christ is Everything to His Followers.” Used also in counseling and prison ministry. Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him. (Psalm 91:1-2 NLT) In …