Two weeks ago we looked at the life of Moses and the way he responded (and the way many of us respond) when God didn’t seem to deliver on His promise. But God was just getting started, beginning the layered process it would take to deliver the Israelites out of Egyptian captivity. Through this initial […]
I’m a type-A perfectionist. As such, one of my biggest strengths is what some might call optimism and what others might call idealism. It’s also my true Achilles heel when this optimism is disappointed and these ideals aren’t met. I aim my expectations at star-level and struggle to pick up the pieces when, after a […]
The life of Joseph is one of the most familiar and beloved Bible stories, with timeless themes of God’s sovereignty, beauty out of ashes, forgiveness, and restoration. (See Pastor Israel’s sermon on the life of Joseph: Part 1 and Part 2.) It’s no wonder Christians in a valley of hardship—chronic illness or otherwise—find solace and […]
Our last two devotional posts (Why Doesn’t God Heal My Chronic Illness? and God’s Providence in Chronic Illness) have been about embracing chronic illness, accepting what God gives us, and thanking God for the ways He uses our suffering for His glory. Does this mean we don’t ask God for change, that we throw up […]
Click here to read last week’s post. Recap: 1. You are not the main character, God is. 2. God has a plan, it’s for good, and it will be accomplished in your life. 3. God wants to use your suffering Another theme that shows up often on this blog is God’s redemption of our pain […]
Have you ever listened to a sermon that fit in all the right places where you needed that exact encouragement, perspective, or conviction (or all three), as if God custom built the message to your current situation? That’s how I felt when I listened to a Youtube sermon on the life of Joseph, preached by […]
We all know Ruth as the “face character” of the book that bears her name. After reading this book in my devotions, however–and watching the Sight and Sound production with Emily right after–I’d like to nominate Naomi as the “backbone character” of this story. It’s Naomi who starts the book, it’s Naomi who ends the […]
I recently read Genesis 18 in my devotions: Then [the Lord and His messengers] said to [Abraham], “Where is Sarah your wife?” So he said, “Here, in the tent.” And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.” (Sarah was […]
The Valley