Hope for Today

When growing up, a common slogan often said is “live for today and hope for tomorrow.” Today, another more common phrase recognizes two differing categories of people, the “haves and have-nots.” If we live for material wealth and allow the world to define our worth, we’re in trouble and living life out on a limb. Material wealth passes away, but spiritual wealth is being in a rich relationship wit...

Job is an interesting book in the Bible. Some find the account of Job unlike God because He allows Satan to cause His servant Job to suffer. To the contrary, God accomplishes His divine purpose for the pain and suffering that Job and his family endured. The account of Job's wife, whose name we don't know, indicates she walked alongside her husband until she could bear no more. In the midst of her...

The Book of Esther was written in the 5th Century BC. It’s nestled in between the Book of Nehemiah and the Book of Job in the Protestant Bible. During our last podcast, we dissected the story of Vashti the Queen of Persia. Vashti was dethroned and Queen Esther, a Jewish young woman, was chosen as her successor. God positioned Esther to be used in His master plan to save the Jewish people. There ar...

Vashti was Queen of Persia and the first wife of Ahasuerus (Xerxes), King of Persia. She was fair to look upon. Her husband, the King was wealthy. He gloated in his wealth for six months. At the conclusion of this eventful lifestyle, he held one last feast of seven days. During this feast, King Ahasuerus summoned for Vashti, his wife. He wanted her to parade before the princes and nobles of all hi...

How often do we pray, "Lord, thy will be done?" What is the will of God? The short answer is it can be found in the Bible. We don’t have to search for God's sovereign will as if it's unattainable; we just need to discover His will within Scripture and apply them to our lives. God has revealed His will, precept upon pecept, to let us know what is right and true, and pleasing to Him. In II Tim. 3:16...

God transcends space and time, yet time belongs to Him. We cannot speed up nor delay time. He ordains the seasons of life. Our life belongs to Him.  We are in His mighty hands!  We cannot change the earthly seasons, winter, spring, summer and fall. All of God's creation serves a purpose for such a time as this.  God is still speaking and letting us know time is of the essence. What season of life...

God allows us to choose life or death! He gives us the free choice and free will to live our lives the way we desire. But, of course, God's desire for us is to choose life. When we love and obey Him, we will say "yes." And through that growth process, we become closer and closer to Him. Deuteronomy 30:19 (NKJV) says, "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before y...

Imagine this, God allows us to make choices! He gives us the free choice and free will to live our lives the way we desire. But, of course God desires that we would choose to love and obey Him. When our hearts are turned toward God, then making decisions that honor Him are possible. Ephesians 1:11 (NKJV) says,11 "In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpo...

As a believer in Christ Jesus, a call to service is a delight! Whether ordained clergy or not, God desires that all be laborers in His kingdom. When God gives us an assignment, He equips us to carry out His work. His calling always includes a concern about others and the condition of their souls.  Ministry is not merely something we can do, but something we must do. How does one know when God is c...

As a believer in Christ Jesus, a call to service is a delight! Whether ordained clergy or not, God desires that all be laborers in His kingdom. When God gives us an assignment, He equips us to carry out His work. His calling always includes a concern about others and the condition of their souls. Ministry is not merely something we can do, but something we must do. How does one know when a calling...

January 1, 2021, kicks off the new year! HAPPY NEW YEAR, to you all. Yes, the time has come to wrap up the old and usher in the new. What's in store exactly? I don't know. But, I will give thanks to God for a new beginning, a fresh start, and second chances. The year 2020 will go down in US history as a time of civil, social, and political unrest; a period when hundreds of thousands of people lost...

During the holiday season, I love to open Christmas cards and read words of encouragement that are rooted in the Word of God. Some of these words that truly reflect the reason for Christmas are joy, peace, love, happiness, family, and good tidings. Nowadays, most Christmas cards just say "Happy Holidays"!  Sadly enough, we're lucky if we even see the word Christmas anymore.   Jesus is the reason f...

We just celebrated Thanksgiving Day, which for many had a very different look and feel. Because of COVID-19, it was recommended that families in separate households not fellowship together. It was strongly suggested that if traveling plans were being made, to do so by automobile. Most people exercised wisdom and sheltered-in, while trying to make the best of a grim situation. I know of many people...

John Lewis, a well-known civil rights leader, wrote an essay before his death on July 17, 2020. His essay was read at his funeral. Mr. Lewis’ bidding for all America is heard through these words,"Together, you can redeem the soul of our nation. Though I am gone, I urge you to answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe." When I hear these two words "soul" and "...

Imagine a paneramic view of America. Here's what you mostly likely will see: people who are homeless; people standing in foodbank lines; people protesting police killings; police standoffs; people dying of COVID-19; people wearing masks; and businesses, schools and church buildings closed. Not a pretty sight, right? And, as if that's not enough, poltics have fueled a partisan divide in our nation...

Today's information, whether it be via print/social media or news broadcasts, is dismal at best. Yet, most of us are compelled to keep up in order to remain current. One day you may hear something and within the hour it has changed. Realistically, how much information can we really take in, retain, and apply?  And at the end of the day, how is it all affecting you, me, and our circle of family and...

Usually, identity is the way we perceive ourselves. It shapes our beliefs and those core beliefs, in turn, drive what we think, say, and do. How do we describe ourselves, by our attributes, heritage, possessions, backgrounds, and aspirations? Over time, our description becomes our earthly identity. The active pursuit of finding, knowing, and growing in our spiritual identity is paramount. As belie...

Usually, identity is the way we perceive ourselves. It shapes our beliefs and those core beliefs in turn, drive what we think, say and do. How do we describe ourselves, by our attributes, heritage, possessions, backgrounds, aspirations? Overtime, our description becomes our earthly identity. The active pursuit of finding, knowing, and growing in our spiritual identity is paramount. As believers an...

Usually, identity is the way we perceive ourselves. It shapes our beliefs and those core beliefs in turn, drive what we think, say and do. How do we describe ourselves, by our attributes, heritage, possessions, backgrounds, aspirations? Overtime, our description becomes our earthly identity. The active pursuit of finding, knowing, and growing in our spiritual identity is paramount. As believers an...

A native of Seattle, Vida Oliphant Sneed is the youngest of the five girls born to parents Clarence A. Oliphant and La Verna D. Jones Oliphant, both originally from Iowa. While growing up, Vida discovered these two truths: we all are created with a particular “bent” and our life’s assignment is to learn how to submit that “bent” to the Master’s hand.  Based on Deuteronomy 6:5-9, Vida did submit an...

Christian disciplines are vital to our spiritual growth. It's difficult to navigate life without the application of God’s Word. When we read the Bible we are feeding ourselves with spiritual food to help us through the days, weeks, months, and years to come. Bible intake is necessary. There are other disciplines such as prayer, fasting, worship, serving, and giving, that enrich our lives and equip...

Daily, our national affairs reveal the root problem of a wicked heart. Hatred, prejudice, and racism, just to name a few symptoms, are deeply rooted in the history of America. The most recent police shootings and killings are causing people to rise up and say, "Enough is enough!"  The wicked heart is a condition that only God can remedy. It is God alone who can give us a new heart and put a new sp...

Wherever God has called us, we need to walk in boldness and confidence in Christ Jesus, because God has equipped us. He may send us down into the valley to make our ascent up to the mountain top.  Along this journey, who will be our companions – the naysayers or the praisers?  Daily, we are being prepared by our Heavenly Father to get to high places. We will make our ascent if we just trust God.  ...

We talk to people all the time --in-person, over the phone, or through various communication and video apps. When we engage in conversation with others, we share what's on our hearts. It's a comfort to have a listening ear. Hopefully, everyone has a confidant who fullfils that role. What happens when the role is shifted? Do we listen and become self-involved? Do we listen and disregard the other p...

Over the past couple of months, I've been praying more than ever before. "Why?" I asked myself. All I could come up with are these two words "uncertainty"and "unknown" that best describe my feelings. And yes, it has everything to do with COVID-19! As for the word uncertainty –well who knows exactly what is going to happen next? And, as for the word unknown --well who can predict the outcome of our...