Hezekiah prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly (2 Kings 20:2-3). The LORD (YaHWeH), God (Elohim) of his ancestor David (same God, everpresent, in full control) said: "I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Look, I will heal you" (v.5b). Josiah heard the Word (Torah) of God and tore his clothes, repentant, and said to the priest: "Go pray, intercede!" (2 Kings 22:11-13). The LORD responde...  Read More

Jesus said, "The one who comes to me I will never cast out." (John 6:37b)I found today's Prayer Journal reading from Matthew 9:38 (a passage we have studied recently) very compelling. Meditate on these few words by David Goodwin, its author."The instruction in today's scripture comes from a reservoir of love bigger than the universe itself. The gut-wrenching compassion of Jesus compels him to enli...  Read More

John's sign #4 is today's Gospel reading (John 6:1-21 - we looked into the 1st on Sunday, water to wine; the 2nd was the healing of the Gentile officials son; the 3rd was the healing at the pool). One of our challenges in life is to want to be comfortable more than anything...you know, we are living in a material world and we like our creature comforts. When this becomes our sole focus, we are in ...  Read More

"Throughout the time the priest Jehoiada instructed him, Joash did what was right in the Lord’s sight." (2 Kings 12:2, CSB)Across the table from me sat a Christian brother and fellow pastor with whom I have developed a lasting and deep friendship. One lesson I have learned through life and ministry is that I do not have all the answers. God speaks to me in many ways, but beyond Scripture and praye...  Read More

Jesus said, "I can do nothing on my own...I do not seek my own will, but the will of him who sent me" (John 5:30, CSB). God's will prevails...ultimately and always. Whether it prevails in our lives is entirely up to us, but as for Him, He is Sovereign. Here is His grace demonstrated: He accomplishes His will so often through the surrendered heart. Take Jehoiada, the High Priest, for instance (2 Ki...  Read More

The second sign (John 4:46-54) of Jesus in John's Gospel reminds us that the Good News is for everyone...no exceptions. This gentile official would not have been welcome in the worship of Israel. He could not have sat at the table for a Jewish feast. Anything he touched that was ceremonially clean would instantly become unclean. He was welcome to come to the fringes, but not into the House of fait...  Read More