In the book of Revelation Jesus gives a series of warnings to churches. When Jesus warns you, you had better take notice! Then he comes to the church in Philadelphia. (This would have been located in modern-day Turkey, not Pennsylvania). His tone changes. Here is what Jesus says: “I know that you have little strength, … Continue reading Oh ye of little strength
strength
A nap and a snack
You want to be faithful. You want to be loving. But if you’re always running on empty that will be hard to do. It will also be difficult if you’re always giving and giving and giving. Yes, giving is good. It can be a blessing when we give our time and talent to help others. … Continue reading A nap and a snack
Thinking constructively about hardship
“Through history,” writes Mark Clark, “virtually every society has sought to teach people how to deal with pain and suffering. Sadly, our current culture has largely neglected this task. Why? Because for generations we’ve embraced a secular worldview that assumes that the material world is all there is, and that, thus, pain has no meaningful … Continue reading Thinking constructively about hardship
The usefulness of weakness
It’s eye-opening and useful to thank God in our weaknesses. I’m not saying that we should thank God FOR our weaknesses. After all, there are many weaknesses which lead to very bad things. Thanking God IN your weakness is something else. It is a humble reminder that we are not able to make it on … Continue reading The usefulness of weakness
The grip of his righteous right hand
In the 1996 Olympics Derek Redmond was in the 400-metre race. During his heat he was out in front. But then his Achilles tendon snapped! He fell to the track. The crowd gasped. He got up, slowly. Limping. He was trying to move forward while dragging his leg behind him. The crowd started to cheer … Continue reading The grip of his righteous right hand
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
I think I can, I think I can…
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). A famous and much-beloved children’s book is called The Little Engine that Could.* You know the one. A big, long train needs to be pulled over the mountain. It needs another train to do it. A large, strong engine refuses. Then another … Continue reading I think I can, I think I can…
Our strength every morning
Dick and Rick are members of Team Hoyt. Together they’ve competed in sixty-four marathons, two hundred and six triathlons at Ironman distance, and two hundred and four 10K runs. In total, that’s over six thousand kilometres! But get this. Dick, the father, can run. But Rick, the son, isn’t able to run or speak. It’s … Continue reading Our strength every morning
Through him who gives me strength
In a society that celebrates volume, vanity and rivalry, it is tempting to just think that it’s all up to us, and that when things go well in our lives, that it must be the result of our own strength and unparalleled intelligence. But Paul models a different attitude. In Philippians 4:13 he writes, “I … Continue reading Through him who gives me strength
The strengthening effect of praising God
Do you want to be fortified, braced, strengthened? Me too. That’s why it’s vital to praise God. Here’s how those things are connected. In Psalm 103 David talks about praising God. A lot. Check it out: Verse 1: “Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.” Verse 2: “Praise the LORD, … Continue reading The strengthening effect of praising God
