Promises for the Battle
Patience
Habakkuk #3— “Post-its” For Patience
Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal, and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay. Habakkuk 2:2–3 Sometimes God assures … Continue reading
Team #3—Needed Grace
Do not let any rotten word proceed from your mouth, but only what is good for servicing someone’s need, in order to give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29 Gracious words can flow from the joy of our hearts, through others’ ears, to the joy of their hearts. This is amazing! It’s also daunting. … Continue reading
Refined Integrity
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Eternal tests hearts. Proverbs 17:3 During the holidays, broken airplanes, cancellations because of weather, miscommunications about rides to the hotel, and snoring roommates are not just annoying incidents in our daily lives. They are opportunities for us to inventory the stock of … Continue reading
Thanksgiving Sonnet—A Day Is Not Enough
Always rejoice, constantly pray, in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 O Lord, we set aside this day to say That we rejoice in all that you have done; With love and joy we’ve only just begun To celebrate your gracious resumé. Indeed, a day … Continue reading
Forgiveness #7—Saving Forgiveness
Be on your guard so you don’t destroy faith! If other followers of Christ sin against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. And if one of them sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, “I repent,” forgive each one of them. Luke 17:3–4 We have … Continue reading
Behind the Scenes #2—The End In View
Joseph answered, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended evil toward me, but God intended your actions for a good purpose, so he could keep alive a great people.” Genesis 50:20 Joseph was the perfect child, and his brothers hated him for it. So they sold him into slavery. Despite … Continue reading
Palm Sunday’s Ride—Humility’s Hurrah
Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Look! Your king is coming to you: he is legitimate and has been saved, humble and riding on a donkey. Zechariah 9:9 Jesus proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because his followers thought that the kingdom of God was going … Continue reading
Patient Prince of Peace
God displayed redemption in Christ Jesus to demonstrate his own righteousness, because in his forbearance he passed over previously committed sins, so that he would be just and the justifier of the one who is of the faith of Jesus. Romans 3:25–26 God was patient, not expressing his just anger, despite millennia of abuse by … Continue reading
Civility #5—Imitation Civility
When Christ suffered for you, he left you an example to follow: … When he was maligned, he did not respond with a curse; when he suffered, he threatened no retaliation, but placed his future in the hands of God, who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:21–23 How did he do it? How did Jesus resist … Continue reading
Patience #8—The Praise of Patience
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the noonday. Therefore rest in the Eternal and wait patiently for him. Psalm 37:6 O wise and gracious God, every moment of my life comes from you. You have woven the tapestry of my days with infinite care and skill. The colors … Continue reading
Promises for the Battle 