“And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, . . . so that you became an example to all the believers.” (1 Thessalonians 1:6–7) Suppose they could actually speak to us, the characters described...
Extension
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Purpose
Take 40
I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.” (Psalm 40:1 NLT) Puzzling angle, this call to wait patiently when our natural instinct is to sprint ahead to fix our...
Delivery Room
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) It appears that joy is in short supply. Joy-stealers, robbers, and...
Emerge
“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you…For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) Knocking down walls is never pretty. During our...
A Glimpse of Chapter One
The metallic bird crouched on the steamy asphalt pad like an enormous vulture, eagerly anticipating its prey. Within minutes it would lift off from the heliport at Miami Children’s Hospital and separate...
Hush
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the...
Did This
“Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.” (Genesis 6:22) This intriguing verse haunts me, floats inside the middle of my mind and refuses to go overboard. I can’t shake it; it’s caught in the...
Just a Minute
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.” (Psalm 40:1) Waiting patiently for the Lord means we don’t try to cajole an answer out of him or force our wants and wishes on the...
Backyard Pulpit
“Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.” (Psalm 16:1) The racket emanating from my backyard escalated, forcing me to abandon my task and discover what could possibly be creating such uproar. With...
Mark My Words
“And they were astonished at his teaching.” (Mark 1:22) “And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching” (Mark 1:21). Enter our home, dear Lord, as...
Likewise
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36) In this instance, the crowd did not come to Jesus. This time...
Outdo
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve...