My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has shown concern for His humble servant. (Luke 1:46-48) Metrical Psalms A metrical Psalter is a kind of Bible translation or paraphrase from the Bible’s Book of Psalms. It translates a Psalm into poetry, often for singing as hymns in a church. James 5:13 asks, …
Christ’s Friendship Toward Us
A “Yes” Face Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) was our third president in the USA. One time, he and a group of companions were traveling on horseback and came to a flooded river which had washed away the bridge. Each rider forded the river on horseback, fighting against deadly currents. Another traveler, not part of the group, walked up to the President …
How Should We Think of Christ?
Come near to God and He will come near to you. (James 4:8) Help From Richard Sibbes Richard Sibbes (1577-1635) was an English pastor who loved to encourage Jesus’ people with reminders of God’s love and grace. In his book, The Bruised Reed, he wrote “We have this for a foundation truth, that there is more mercy in Christ than …
Grace Focused Optimism (Part 2)
I will make an everlasting covenant with them. I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear and respect Me, so that they will never turn away from Me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all My heart and soul. (Jeremiah 32:40-41) Note: This …
Better Than Optimism
I trusted in the Lord when I said, “I am greatly afflicted.” In my alarm I said, “Everyone is a liar.” What shall I return to the Lord for all His goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. (Psalm 116:10-13) Do Optimists Live Longer? Faith in God (Father, …
Rest in the Lord
Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 116:7-9) A Sweeter Song Ancient Greek sailors faced many perils at sea and this was reflected …
Love for God Should Drive Us
I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy. Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live. (Psalm 116:1-2) Success in Running and Life Jess Movold is a runner and coach in New York City. In a 2020 interview, she discussed principles for successful running …
Precious in the Lord’s Sight
Precious in the Lord’s sight is the death of His faithful servants (His saints, Jesus’ followers, His loved ones). (Psalm 116:15) The Pain of Death and Loss Liz Shepherd is a Boston artist, and her sculpture, “The Wait,” was done when her father was dying. Liz spent long days at his bedside, feeling the fragility of life and the pain …
Don’t Be Afraid!
After calming the storm and rescuing His disciples, Christ said “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40) This post builds on Jesus Calms the Storm Christians are Made for Faith, Not Fear Eli Stanley Jones (1884-1973) was an American Methodist missionary. He conducted evangelistic lectures held across the Indian subcontinent and said: God has …
Jesus Calms the Storm
Christ got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. (Mark 4:39) Reagan’s Perfect Pitch Many things in Scripture and life are deeper than they seem at first. In April 1984, President Ronald Reagan threw out the first pitch at a Baltimore Orioles game and then …