God knows how to take care of His own.

…And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion? – Esther 4:14, Amplified Bible (AMP) A missionary family in the country of Panama recently received a questionnaire from the Panamanian immigration office. After filling out and returning the questionnaire, the family received… Continue reading God knows how to take care of His own.

God will fully satisfy the weary soul.

For I will [fully] satisfy the weary soul, and I will replenish every languishing and sorrowful person. – Jeremiah 31:25, Amplified Bible (AMP) There are times in life when we have opportunity to become well acquainted with misery. I’m not talking about the “misery” that comes from the superficial troubles of life. Such troubles are merely troubles… Continue reading God will fully satisfy the weary soul.

God will bless you once He’s ripped you away from your home.

One basket had very good figs, like the figs that are first ripe… – Jeremiah 24:2, Amplified Bible (AMP) What if the city you lived in was ransacked by invaders? What if your home was burned to the ground and your family and friends were hauled off to an unfamilar land? What if the people… Continue reading God will bless you once He’s ripped you away from your home.

Here’s a great lesson from the ‘Fifth Book of Ruth.’

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ…; – Romans 8:17, KJV We often forget just what we inherit when God adopts us into His family. My friend Jack, who just finished an 8-week study of the Book of Ruth for our Sunday School class, illustrated this point beautifully with his… Continue reading Here’s a great lesson from the ‘Fifth Book of Ruth.’

Let God tell you the point of good preaching.

Whereas the object and purpose of our instruction and charge is love, which springs from a pure heart and a good (clear) conscience and sincere (unfeigned) faith. – 1 Timothy 1:5, Amplified Bible (AMP) There is an old saying that goes, “Birds of a feather flock together.” In other words, people who are alike tend to hang out together.… Continue reading Let God tell you the point of good preaching.

You are not the recruiter. You are the recruitee.

You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing… – John 15:16, Amplified Bible (AMP) We must never lose sight of the sobering truth that we did not choose God as our Master. He… Continue reading You are not the recruiter. You are the recruitee.

The wilderness has its benefits.

Then Jesus was led (guided) by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness (desert) to be tempted (tested and tried) by the devil. – Matthew 4:1, Amplified Bible (AMP) The idea of “wandering in the wilderness” doesn’t gin up happy thoughts. Instead, it usually produces thoughts of pain, anguish, and despair. It was in the wilderness… Continue reading The wilderness has its benefits.

It helps our relationship if you are a little soft.

Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. – Psalm 37:4, Amplified Bible (AMP) The word “delight” in Psalm 37:4 is the Hebrew word “anag.” It is used ten times in the Old Testament, and it is translated seven times as “delight,” one time… Continue reading It helps our relationship if you are a little soft.

Stop being a wiggle-worm. Sit still every once in awhile.

Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out… – Ruth 3:18, Amplified Bible (AMP) A long time ago there was a young widow who traveled far from her homeland in search of a better life. She settled in a land of strangers who normally despised her kind, but… Continue reading Stop being a wiggle-worm. Sit still every once in awhile.

Sometimes, people die early for a very good reason.

The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; and merciful and devout men are taken away, with no one considering that the uncompromisingly upright and godly person is taken away from the calamity and evil to come [even through wickedness]. He [in death] enters into peace… – Isaiah 57:1-2, Amplified Bible I’ve lived enough life to have seen… Continue reading Sometimes, people die early for a very good reason.