
The Darkest Before the Dawn
May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father… you who live in the light (Col. 1:11-12). In the middle of the night, light is hard to find. Don’t get discouraged during troubled times because things often get worse before they get better. As we approach, Easter remember the people’s sorrow when Jesus died on the cross. The day was dark when the grave consumed his body for three days. And yet up from the grave, He arose! When the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out y

A Crisis Can Be An Opportunity
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust (Psalms 91:2 KJV). Presently the world is experiencing pandemonium due to a pandemic of a novel flu. The word crisis in Chinese means “danger at a point of juncture.” How appropriate to see this virus, which originated in China, as a danger and yet an opportunity to change. You can react as most of the world does by panicking, hoarding supplies, and pointing your finger to blame. Or you ca

Joy Is Knowing Jesus Values You
Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:10). What if you knew God valued you? Would you value yourself more? Would you sin less and be less offended over what people say and do around you? Could you take correction with ease and have the confidence that you are growing more and more into the likeness of Christ. Another way of saying, “I love you” is “I value you.” If something is valuable, you will protect it. You w

Unmasked
Have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you (Hebrews 12:5). As a whole, human beings have a hard time accepting correction. Who likes to admit a wrongdoing or worse own one’s failures? And yet the mistakes you make can help you learn if you are willing to own them. Pride will block you from taking correction from people who only want to help yo