Your 100 Day Prayer: Day 68 – Valley of the Shadow
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. –Psalm 23:4 Have you had a near-death experience? Did you feel God's presence with you as you were going through it? King David knew God was with him the many times he "walked through the valley of the shadow of death." So, what is this Psalm celebrating? "So this psalm celebrates that aspect
Your 100 Day Prayer: Day 64 – Suffering and Comfort
by TJ Bates Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. –2 Corinthians 1:3-5 It isn't uncommon to hear cancer patients describe how they were
Your 100 Day Prayer: Day 47 – When Heaven Meets Earth
by TJ Bates The kingdom of heaven is near. -Matthew 10:7B Do you remember, back in Day 19, Paul's ability to be joyful while in prison because he didn't think of God being billions of miles away, but just inches above his head? Hear again the meaning of "the kingdom of heaven is near." "
Your 100 Day Prayer: Day 31 – Love
By T.J. Bates A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. -John 13:34 I just love LOVE! Don't you? Don't you LOVE that dress, or LOVE that movie, or LOVE what I'm saying? In the present day, "love" is a word that is overused and often meaningless. However, Jesus is not using the word love carelessly as we do. He wants us to truly love one another—to be a conduit of his
The Gift of Praise
As we walk through this holiday season and find ourselves alone or in a hospital room, with no gifts to give or receive, or partaking of a very meager meal, how do we praise God in the midst of it? Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. –1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 This year as we enter the holiday season, it may seem to occur at a particularly difficult time, when many
Bleak Saturday: New Life
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. -Galatians 2:20 Yes, on Saturday, for the disciples, the future looked very bleak. Their beloved Master had been brutally crucified and now lay resting in the tomb. They believed his message and had hope for some ultimate resurrection. But, unlike us, they
Good Friday: What’s Good About It?
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? –Psalm 22:1 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity
Giver or Taker
Giver or taker? Which one are you? God is the biggest giver in the Bible. His gift to us is the gift of salvation. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The Bible clearly defines who God wants us to be—a giver. It is not only pleasing to God to give and serve, but it is also the Christian’s job description and a way
