I love the Lord. He heard my cries, And pitied every groan. Long as I live, when troubles rise, I’ll hasten to His throne. (From a poem and hymn by Isaac Watts) Richard Smallwood Richard Smallwood is an American gospel composer, music director, and arranger. He has won many awards and his songs have been translated into Korean, German, Hebrew, …
Joy in Jesus: The God Who Hung on the Cross
Jesus said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected. And He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life….No one takes My life from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.” (Luke 9:22; John 10:18) …
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Near Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, there was a multitude of the heavenly host (angels) praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” (Luke 2:13-14) A Great Hymn Yes, Christmas is past, but I’m still singing this hymn. It’s based on the Scripture above. “Hark! The Herald Angels …
Things to Pray For (Part 2)
Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray….The Lord has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord accepts my prayer. (Psalm 5:2, 6:9) Shallow Prayers? Fran Tarkenton is a former NFL quarterback who led his team to three Super Bowls. He wrote an article for The Wall Street Journal lambasting himself and other …
Things to Pray For (Part 1)
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him. (1 John 5:14-15) Need Help in Praying? Ross McCall of Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ) loves to help people pray. …
Why Do Christians Suffer?
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are …
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 …
United Praying in Troubling Times
An Illustration from World War II In 1939, German warplanes began bombing London and the government feared that societal chaos would follow. Would civilians be ready for the trauma and horrors to come? How would they cope if life as they knew it was overturned? How would they grapple with the nightly threat of injury or death? Would they riot, …