My precious child, Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in Me (John 14:1). Faith is a spiritual action, not a physical one. I asked you to faithe Me because honestly, that’s the only way that you and I can connect. Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in …
When Prayer Turns Desperate (Part II)
(Continued from yesterday) Moments after my brother-in-law’s single engine plane hit the ground, Ray fought for his life, suspended upside-down in a burning crop duster. By now, the flames had engulfed the cockpit and Ray’s hands and chest were in such agony that unfastening the hot metal buckle was proving impossible. Realizing that the fire was reaching his face, …
The Ruler of the Air
I was twenty years old when I flew to Taiwan for the first time. Since I had spent most of my life on a farm, landing in a city of 3 million was quite an experience. As the summer progressed, I began to realize that it wasn’t only the sights and sounds that were unique. I could feel …
The Word on Our Laps and in Our Hearts
One of Jesus’ many names is “The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13). Then doesn’t it make sense that when we “pray in Jesus’ name” it also means to “pray the Word of God”? The Word of God on our laps and the Living Word within us have an intimate connection. In order to pray …
The Strong Man and His Opponent
“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed” (Luke 11:21). “House” (“aule” in Greek) depicts the uncovered courtyard found in the center homes when this Gospel was written. You’ve seen the pictures – a square or rectangular house in which the easiest way from one room to another may be by crossing …
Brokenness: His Pathway to Healing
“God’s sustaining strength showing up in extreme weakness”. That’s kinda been our theme over the last couple of weeks, huh? Today, another faith walker shares her story. Teesa Klear is well acquainted with words like febrile seizures, Brugada syndrome and internal defibrillators. But she has allowed all all of these things to lead …
Both the Strength and Weakness of Waiting
I met today’s faith walker when she was a single career missionary in Taiwan. In 1998, Sharon Williams left her position in Taiwan to return to the states to become Mrs. Abe Martinez. Fast forward a few years and I hear that Abe and Sharon are headed to Thailand with their two sons. Yet not all works …
What Kind of Salvation Do You Have?
“There is no scripture that supports only a limited and partial deliverance. Yet, many Christians unfortunately are satisfied with just that.” Hannah Whitall Smith Just exactly what kind of salvation do you have? Does your relationship with God grant you daily peace or does it most often cause you more stress? Does your dependance upon …
Yeast and the Kingdom
“I’ll make the Sopapillas!” As newlyweds, Mark and I attended a church that was having a Mexican dinner to raise funds for youth camp. I had made these fried puffed tortillas several times before and figured it would be an easy way to help. After all, they only had six ingredients, and that was if you counted the …
“And the key is….”
When our girls were little, we always read them a devotional story before tucking them in bed. One page in length, the devotional usually included a verse, a present day story, and some type of applicable lesson. Hannah and Hilary always knew when it was almost time for bed when we began the summary with …