Have you ever wondered if you should have been born in another time? Perhaps 19th century France or even in the pioneer days? I realize that it’s fun to dream. But God isn’t that haphazard. God’s people were chosen before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). He fashioned us in our mother’s wombs and … Continue reading For such a time as this
providence
Don’t use providence as an excuse
Providence is the invisible hand of God. It is God directing, guiding and providing for his people, even when you can’t see him. Some people say they trust in God’s providence, and then they use that as an excuse for not responding to God’s call on their lives. They think to themselves, ‘Well, God is … Continue reading Don’t use providence as an excuse
Good out of bad
Corrie ten Boom tells the story about an old Russian woman she met during the Cold War. She was a woman of faith, but Bibles were not allowed. It was a time of persecution for Christians. The woman was so sick she couldn’t get off her couch. But she had one finger she could still … Continue reading Good out of bad
God is working, behind the scenes
[For a short post which explains the meaning of Shrove Tuesday, see the link at the end of this post.] “Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown … Continue reading God is working, behind the scenes
What if God was providing for you in advance?
In the previous devotional I said that it’s sometimes hard to see how God is working in your life, especially when you’re going through a time that is particularly head-scratching or uncertain. But just because you can’t see how God is working, that doesn’t mean he isn’t. Let me build on a related theme. There … Continue reading What if God was providing for you in advance?
Where is God when things seem crazy?
It’s sometimes hard to see how God is working in your life, especially when you’re going through a time that is particularly head-scratching or uncertain. Consider the events that took place after Jesus was born. King Herod was feared for his brutality. He drowned his brother-in-law, executed his sister’s husband, decapitated his wife’s grandfather, murdered … Continue reading Where is God when things seem crazy?
We don’t believe in luck
Christians believe in certain things. One of those things isn’t luck. Luck is the idea that everything unfolds according to chance. According to that line of thinking, God is neither almighty nor active. Granted, someone might say “What luck!” when it’s sunny on the same day they decide to go for a picnic. But any … Continue reading We don’t believe in luck
Being pursued by goodness and mercy
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…” (Psalm 23:6, ESV) Max Lucado tells a story about a mother and her first grade son, Timmy. She became worried when Timmy wanted to walk to school by himself. The mother wasn’t sure it was a good idea. But Timmy thought it … Continue reading Being pursued by goodness and mercy
Frowning providence, The Pilgrim’s Progress, and you
John Bunyan was a preacher who was thrown in jail in the 17th century. He was separated from his wife, children and congregation. A colleague named John Owen was a theologian who had a lot of influence, even in the government. Owen tried to get Bunyan released. He used his connections to do so, but … Continue reading Frowning providence, The Pilgrim’s Progress, and you
Providence not just in big things, but daily things
We’ve been talking about providence—that we are upheld and guided by God’s invisible hand. Today I encourage you to think about how this is true not only with respect to big things like global movements or world wars, but the little day-to-day details of our lives. Consider Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:29-31: “Yet not one … Continue reading Providence not just in big things, but daily things
