I wrote this devotion 5 years ago. And I discovered it just when I needed hope in the waiting. Thank You, Lord! I’m sharing it with you in case you need some hope in the waiting. . . .
Read MoreThe Proverbs 31 Woman as the Bride of Christ
I would inwardly groan every time someone wanted to study the poem of the Proverbs 31 woman. I felt exhausted and overwhelmed at just the thought of trying to emulate that superwoman. That should have been my first clue that this proverb is a prophetic picture of the Bride of Christ. . . .
Read MoreBeauty Begins: Making Peace With Your Reflection
This mother-daughter team has written the book that has been on my heart for years. And they have done it beautifully! I can heartily recommend this book to every woman – young and old. Even husbands and fathers can find a blessing here, especially in the addendum written by the husbands of the authors.
The key to making peace with our reflection is to . . .
Read MoreGatekeepers
Armed with only a tiny bottle of anointing oil and our knowledge of the Word, my girlfriend and I spiritual cleansed her house. People had reported seeing “entities” in her house. We wanted to make certain that the only spirits living there were of the Holy Spirit. . . .
Read MoreThe Beautiful Temple
A deep longing for God throbs throughout this poetic song. The “beautiful temple” that the psalmist praised was an actual building. The building was grand in size and ornamentation, but that is not why he praised it. The “beautiful temple” represented the “Beautiful One.” To the Old Testament believer, the “beautiful temple” was the very presence of God.
Fires of sacrifices and offerings (passion for God) burned 24/7, . . .
Read MoreHur is of the Tribe of Judah
Hur is of the tribe of Judah. This struck me as significant because Hur, along with Aaron, held up Moses arms during Israel's first ever battle as a Nation.
After the Nation of Israel passed safely through the Red Sea, the Amaleks came and fought against them. Moses told Joshua to choose men to fight the battle, and he (Moses) would station himself . . .
Read MoreRomance and Redemption
Romance and redemption are the themes of Hosea. And, yes, there is even a happily ever after!
Hosea’s two marriages are a picture of Israel and the church, both are “brides” of God. Israel as the unfaithful wife and God as the Faithful Husband is a familiar allegory in the prophetic books. The prophet Hosea lives out that allegory . . . .
Read MoreEndurance to the End
My spiritual journals over the years are peppered with pleas that I would not deny Christ, like Peter did. And that I would not depart from the Lord in my old age, like Solomon did. Especially this last year, I have had many conversations with the Lord about “finishing well.” . . . .
Read MoreBlessed and Highly Favored
How are you?
When people ask me that, I usually reply “Blessed and Highly Favored!” Store clerks are often amused . . . or confused as how to respond to such a declaration. Still others will smile say, “Me too!”
My sunny disposition was forged in the trenches of combating negativity . . . .
Read MoreHeaven Needs No Protection
Apparently there are whole armies of war-faring angels. I have read over Jesus’ reference to “twelve legions of angels” probably hundreds of times without wondering why. Why does heaven have armies?
Heaven doesn’t need defending. . . .
Read MoreGod Is Our Personal Bodyguard
When my children were young, I would tell them that God’s rules are our umbrella of protection. If we follow God’s rules, then He covers us. But if we step out from underneath His umbrella of protection, then we make ourselves vulnerable.
These verses from Proverbs are even better imagery. When we follow God’s ways, He becomes our Personal Bodyguard. He is protecting and guarding us as we choose what is right. . . .
Read MoreTaken out of the side of Jesus
God pierced Adam’s side to give him a bride. And the Last Adam - Jesus Christ - His side was pierced to give Him a bride!
Blood and water came out of our Lord Jesus’ side. It was His redemptive blood and the water of His Word that gave us life – spiritual life. I have a fresh understanding . . .
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