The problem with people is that they will at some point let you down. The problem with every one of us is that, at some point, we will let other people down, too. We may not do it intentionally, but the truth is that our incompetence eventually catches up to our ability to pretend. What […]
It is amazing to me to realize that somehow, if we pay attention, Scripture draws us to it in ways that are a bit surprising. For some time now, one of those texts for me has been Colossians 1:13-14 which says, “He has rescued us from darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His […]
Yesterday concluded Point’s annual “21 Days of Prayer,” an intentional time at the beginning of each new year for personal and group reflection and prayer among the Point family. Every day, for twenty-one days, Point students, faculty, staff and trustees received a devotional in their e-mail inbox.
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16 (NIV) “I learned Hebrew with a Japanese accent.” Students of the late Dr. Toyozo W. Nakarai still sometimes use this humorous line. Born in Kyoto […]
“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” —Matthew 21:22 (ESV) When Huck Finn’s guardian, Miss Watson, told him that he would receive whatever he sincerely prayed for, Huck prayed for fishing hooks, but to no avail. He concluded that her words “warn’t so.” Furthermore, “if a body can get […]
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather […]
“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” -John 15:15 (KJV) From the time we teetered through the earliest years of life, learning to speak our […]
Several years ago, I had the opportunity to hear from Gary Haugen, the president of the International Justice Mission (IJM) headquartered in Washington, D.C. IJM is an organization of Christian attorneys who have as their vision statement, “To rescue thousands, protect millions, and prove that justice for the poor is possible.” It’s a huge organization […]
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV) When the Apostle Paul writes that God wants us, in Christ, to do three things non-stop, I’m immediately challenged. I’m not good at “always … without ceasing … […]
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior…” -1 Timothy 2:1-3 Today, the United States will experience another “smooth […]