Hope for Today

We are in unprecedented times!  The entire world is living with the outbreak of a pandemic disease, coronavirus (COVID-19). It is spreading and the death toll is rising. Globally, we are being called to social-distancing, the new norm. And, our daily-living routines have come to a screeching halt. There is one unanswered question --"What's next?"    Join us Tuesday, March 24, 2020, at 3:30 PM, PDT...

Discipline for the Christian is a must! Think of it this way, we need "spritiual disciplines for the Christian life." I didn't think up this phrase. It's actually the title of a book in my library. The authors are Donald S. Whitney and the forward is by J. I. Packer, two writers with whom we are very familiar. The word "discipline" can carry a negative connotation and brings to mind punishment. Wh...

Apologetics is a big word.  It basically means to offer an apology.  So you might ask, why are we apologizing for our belief in Christ Jesus?  In answer to that question -- we're not!  Apologetics is developing and using a defense or being able to give an explanation to others. God's Word is always under attack, both unintentionally and intentionally.  And, as believers in Christ, we claim the Bib...

Here in the United States of America, we have the United States Constitution that starts with "We the people" and goes on to establish national government and fundamental laws and guarantees certain basic rights for its citizens. The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787. Also, in America, we have a national flag a symbol to which Americans publicly pledge our allegiance to the United Stat...

Sometimes I wish I had a huge magnifying glass to see what I'm missing. The purpose of a magnifying glass is to enlarge that which appears small or seems to be unclear to the naked eye. In other words, it improves our vision! The question for the day is "How can we improve our vision of God the Father so we can see Him amid our daily living activities?" The Book of Romans, 1:20, says, "For since t...

The baby Jesus was born in the manger, but the Christmas story does not end there. God the Father sent His Son called Emmanuel, into this world in fleshly form. He dwelt among us. This event is the beginning of an eternal story. In Matthew 1:23, it says, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel” (which means “God with us”). The rest of the story is Jesus w...

We all have something to say and most of the time we will have an audience who is willing to listen. People enjoy engaging in an interesting conversation or having a thought-provoking discussion sprinkled with differing opinions. After all, we all don't think alike and not all may agree. What happens when someone has to be right and the other person is wrong? Some may even resort to spewing dispar...

God puts an eternal spin on everything He touches. Afterall, He is the God of eternity. We tend to see and only notice that which is temporary. God intends to bless us richly with every good and perfect gift that comes from above. His blessings are wrapped in unconditional love, matchless grace, and salvation. Deuteronomy 28:2-3 says, “And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you,...

A name tells us a lot about the person.  Oftentimes, much thought has gone into our chosen names given to us by our parents. There may be a family generational history behind a name.  Or, a name could have been popular during a particular Hollywood movie era. What do our names mean?  Do we live up to the meanings of our names?  I AM, Yahweh, and Jehovah God are just a few names for our God. The na...

Everyday should bring new opportunities and adventure!  Okay, wait a minute. We all know that life happens --the bitter and the sweet.  So, what is our perspective on life when we encounter pain and devastation? How do we view what appears to be the downside to life, you know when it seems as though nothing ever goes right?  Do you ever wonder and ask yourself where are my blessings? In James 1:17...

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is good news! Christ died for sinners. What better news is there to share? When we accept God's gift of His one and only son, we enter into a right and eternal relationship with God the Father. Sharing the Gospel of Christ is not mechanical, argumentative, or combative, but rather lavished with the love that Jesus Christ has poured out onto us. Romans 1:16 says, "For I a...

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is good news! Christ died for sinners. What better news is there to share? When we accept God's gift of His one and only Son, we enter into a right and eternal relationship with God the Father. Sharing the Gospel of Christ is not mechanical, argumentative, or combative, but rather lavished with the love that Jesus Christ has poured out onto us. Romans 1:16 says, "For I a...

God's voice is easily detectable. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? When we read the Bible, a red-letter edition helps us know when Jesus is speaking. But what about when we're not reading God's word? How does God speak to us then? Is His voice a soft whisper or resounding boom? How can we be sure if it's really God speaking? The key is following Him, not just hearing and knowing His v...

Each morning I awaken is a gift from God!  At the top of the hour, 6:00 am, I am getting out of bed. Most of the time I'm eager to give God my first few seconds, minutes or hours. On a good day when I arise, I pray and give thanks for another day and welcome what lies ahead. I ask God to order my steps. My desire is to give Him my first fruit of another day. In complete honesty, I don't always app...

I remember most of the childhood nursery rhymes, such as "Baa Baa Black Sheep", "A-Tisket, A-Tasket", "Georgie Porgie", and "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush", just to name a few. As kids when playing in a large group, it was necessary to pare down the group. The fairest way to do that was to use the counting rhyme "Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe" to choose someone or count them out. I am so glad our He...

Women are unique! God has given us great responsibilities. Just think, we get to experience being daughters, sisters, wives, mothers, aunts, and grandmothers. God's Word graciously instructs us on widowhood, modesty, conduct that is "becoming", and authority.  What is required of us to realize God's plan for our lives? Short answer --God's wisdom and a heart of obedience. Years ago, I memorized th...

I recently returned from a 10-day tour in Egypt. It was spectacular! The itinerary was full of all the main tourist attractions in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Kom Ombo/Edfu. As well as, a three-day cruise on the Nile. I got to stand on the grounds of ancient history with all its unexplained mysteries. I couldn't begin to comprehend it all without going back to the Bible. It was there that I was remin...

Sometimes it's difficult to get up in the morning and get going. We all have our daily routines and if we are completely honest with ourselves life can become mundane. It's easy to feel as though we are stuck in a rut. What if we woke up each morning with the perspective that each day is a gift from God?  Each day brings new possibilities. We have 24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week, at least 30 d...

Wednesday, March 6, 2019, is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten Season. Christians will observe 40 days of Lent and reflect on the death and burial of Jesus Christ. Then, with much hope, we will look beyond Christ's crucifixion and prepare spiritually, emotionally, and physically to celebrate Resurrection Day/Easter Sunday. Jesus Christ sacrificed and withdrew into the desert for 40 days....

Life is not simple when we do not know what it is we are supposed to be doing.  The unknowing gives way to floundering and groping around in the dark trying to figure it out. When we finally realize our destiny, life becomes more clear and intentional.  No longer are we afraid to live, dream, and set goals.  Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of...

We all seek guidance and advice from family, friends, and the experts. Throughout life we make important decisions about, just to name a few, higher education; careers; employment; who to marry; rearing children; financial matters; and medical concerns. Whose advice is worthwhile and whose advice should we tune out? Tuning out unhelpful advice and opinions gives us more time to listen to sound cou...

Personal devotion matters. Mornings, afternoons or evenings with Jesus is daily encouragement and food for our soul and spirit. It’s like putting on spiritual armor to face spiritual battle fraught with daily challenges. There's nothing worse than existing through life without hope or peace. Peace with our Heavenly Father is being in relationship with Him. He loves us! We can also experience peace...

We all have melodies from God in our hearts that can be shared through writings, speaking, stories, poetry, and songs. Whatever our means of expression is, God will assure us the opportunity to share with others what's on our mind and within our heart. In Ephesians 6:19-20 it says, "speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lo...

New Year's Day marks a time for new beginnings. In the United States of America, January 1st is the 1st day of a new calendar year. The celebration usually starts on new Year's Eve. And, at 11:59:50 pm, we begin the countdown --10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 – and then we shout Happy New Year!! When the clock strikes 12:00 midnight, a new day, month, year, decade, and era has begun. Time has existe...

The Christmas season is upon us! Many will celebrate the birth of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on December 25. His birth was foretold by the prophets of old way before it came to pass. The New Testament records the fulfillment of these prophecies, thus making the age-old Christmas story biblical and true. Jesus the Son of God was born of a virgin in a manger and came from Bethlehem. Jesus the...