Many people think that their lives unfold according to chance. But that contradicts the biblical teaching about providence. The word “providence” sounds like “provide.” A provider in a household anticipates what is needed and then ensures those needs are met. In a similar way, our Provider sees the needs of his people. Since he is … Continue reading We see the brushstrokes
sovereignty of God
When we cannot trace his hand
As we continually tweak (or renovate) the trajectory of our lives, we need reminders that God is in charge and that he knows what he’s doing. If we forget, we tend to panic, over-function, stress out (or fizzle out) and try to play God. And that never turns out very well. Here’s a corrective. After … Continue reading When we cannot trace his hand
Knowing everything, being perfect and solving every problem
I attended a conference where Don Carson was talking about faith. In the New Testament faith is about its object. In other words, faith is about trusting IN someone—namely God. This turns the focus from us to him! Let’s consider a few of the implications. Faith isn’t about knowing everything, but trusting in the one … Continue reading Knowing everything, being perfect and solving every problem
A puzzle piece to God
It was Max Lucado who said: “Most people suffer from small thoughts about God.”* In other words, when we underestimate the sovereignty, wisdom, love and power of God, we do ourselves a radical disservice. Time for a perspective corrective. The world has a lot of problems. Your life has challenges too. But what is puzzling … Continue reading A puzzle piece to God
Yield to Jesus when you are fearful or anxious about the future
Never in my life have I talked to more people about the uncertainty of the future. If I were alive during World War Two or the upstart of the Cold War, perhaps I would not be able to say that. But fears and anxieties about the future are now common. Is it even possible to … Continue reading Yield to Jesus when you are fearful or anxious about the future
The control room
The ascension of Jesus is an event which has been somewhat neglected. Perhaps the idea of Jesus going away to be with his heavenly Father forty days after his resurrection seems kind of weird, or perhaps even unimportant. But to think that would be a mistake. Luke 24:51 says: “While [Jesus] was blessing them, he … Continue reading The control room
This is for those who fail
Unfortunately, failure is frequent. We don’t like to admit it, but it’s true. I’m not saying this to make you feel bad. I’m saying it to draw your attention to something good. God can use even the failures of his people for his good purposes. As we read through the Bible, we find a cacophony of … Continue reading This is for those who fail
It exploded, but praise continued
A monk shared an experience with theologian Karl Barth: “One evening, being choirmaster of his monastery, he was chanting the Magnificat with his confrères, when suddenly a French shell crashed through the roof and exploded in the nave of the church. But the smoke thinned away and the Magnifcat continued.”* Even the violence and chaos … Continue reading It exploded, but praise continued
Is someone on earth Lord, or Jesus?
Lord. It’s who Jesus is. The angel announced to the shepherds that “a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:11). Philippians 2:11 describes how every tongue will acknowledge that “Jesus Christ is Lord.” 1 Corinthians 12:3 explains how “no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the … Continue reading Is someone on earth Lord, or Jesus?
God is under no illusions about you
If you’re like a lot of other people right now and are struggling under the weight of a global pandemic, you’re probably having more bad days than you’re used to. As a result, maybe you beat yourself up. Perhaps you even feel like you’re letting God down. But God is not surprised by your frailty and … Continue reading God is under no illusions about you
The Up Devotional 