…He loves you and guides you!

The Lost Child
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

An amazing story has come out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A woman named Luz Cuevas saw her six year old daughter at a birthday party she was attending. Why is that amazing? Her daughter had been declared dead six years ago in a house fire. Here is what went down. In 1997 Cuevas was married to Pedro Vera who, that year, had fathered their daughter Delimar. A fire suddenly blazed in Delimar's room where she was supposedly sleeping. The blaze was so hot and so sudden that no one was able to get into the room to rescue the child whom fire officials assumed burned in the blaze.…

Faith and Reason
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

You know as well as I do that many (most?) people pit faith against reason. That is, they assume something like, "Faith is something you believe for no reason." Some go further and claim that faith is when you believe in something that the evidence says isn't true. Not the absence of reason, but in the face of it. So imagine my surprise when I came across this interesting statement from the pen of Luke, the physician. In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up, after he had given commands through…

A Guide for the Trip
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path…My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end. – Psalm 119:105 Men are notorious for not reading instructions. They don’t want to read the map or ask directions. We laugh and many sitcoms have used this premise as the basis for a comic situation. “How foolish of him to be so arrogant as to think he can go it alone!” we think. What is it that makes us feel this way? We learn as children that to learn something, we must ask someone older, wiser than ourselves. Ideally, this lesson…

Comfort, A Gospel Staple (12-28-10)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

There is a Bible story that is as timeless as God Himself. At this time of the year it is told and retold more than at any other season. It has been dubbed the Christmas Story because tradition (whether correct in chronology or not) has it that at this time of year Messiah was born. Because we are engaged in a study of Comfort in the context of God being The God of All Comfort, this story is absolutely appropriate. For this reason, the following passage from Luke 1 is quoted in its entirety without comment (numbers in parentheses indicate the verse numbers within this chapter): …

Not Many are Thirsty for More of God If You Are, Come and Drink!
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

Would you like something free and as much of it as you needed? The price has already been paid and the gift on offer is priceless. There was a man who called out to all who were thirsty to come and drink. He even pointed out the source of the refreshing waters. His name was Isaiah, and I would encourage you……

Change is Good
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

Jeremiah 18:3-4 3Then I went down to the potter's house, and behold, he was working at the wheel. 4And the vessel that he was making from clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he made it over, reworking it into another vessel as it seemed good to the potter to make it. I am intrigued with these scriptures. They are very telling of Gods authority and great love. In context, God is talking about Israel. But I’m thinking of Job. Job is described in Job 1:1 (Amp) as a man that was blameless and upright, and one who [reverently] feared God and abstained…

Don't wrestle with pigs...
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

Sage advice from Michael Hyatt, former CEO of Thomas Nelson. Who would want to wrestle with pigs? Isn't that just what we do when we fire back at someone who has hurt our feelings, which is what Michael Hyatt is saying. It isn't worth the fight for Believers to jab and stab at every opportunity, is it. I have heard some folks wax on proudly that they have some great debating skills like being cutting with words is something to be proud of. Well, in my book it isn't. How could that edify the body? Solomon has a great deal to say about self-control when anger threatens…

God And Our Circumstances
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

Are you discouraged by that you see in your life, what is happening around you, and that which you may hear about? It becomes easy to begin to wonder where God is, and where He is taking you, where you are going. You begin to question your relationship with Him, and others around you. He has said He will NEVER leave us or forsake us. It may seem impossible to measure your relationship with Christ, because of the circumstances in your life that are beyond your control. Yes you agree with the scripture that says that “all things work together for good…”.,…

Communicate your Image Well
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

Learning to write, speak, express, and socialize well are some of the most valuable items a person can conquer. They aren’t easily learned, oftentimes taking lots of time and pain to master, but once properly accomplished, they can benefit both your personal and professional life in so many ways. Let’s start with writing. Since I began learning the art of creating stories, I’ve been enduring a crash course in grammar, language, punctuation, and dialogue. Anytime I sit down to place together a series of words, I make a repetitive, conscious effort to spell check,…

Bible and Quote - March 10-14
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. Psalm 91:14 Over all who maintain their fellowship with God, tender guardian care is extended. Their heavenly Father Himself interposes between them and their adversaries. Charles Spurgeon 1834-92 He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. Psalm 91:15 God is faithful. He will hear you and direct you through the darkness. Let Him prove you, and give Him opportunity to prove Himself to…

Wisdom
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 (NASB) “Lord, what can I do about that?” “Jesus, how did that happen?” “Lord, why would he do something like that?” “God, what can we do to help them?” How many times have we asked God questions like these? When we find ourselves face to face with a circumstance we don’t understand, James tells us how we can receive answers to our questions like this.…