“If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as …
Mentoring Series
Worlds of Joy
Many years ago a New York couple entertained a foreign visitor by taking him through Coney Island. At the end of what they considered a perfect day, they asked him what he thought. He looked at the noisy, brightly-lit park and said quietly, “What a …
Joy in His Presence
Joy is referred to not once, but 422 times in the Bible. A simple word, it packs a powerful fruit of the Spirit punch. Joy begins with fellowship in Christ — loving Him and His presence. The seeds of joy are Holy Spirit planted, rooted, …
Joy When Your World Falls Apart
I saw this picture yesterday with a family all jumping into the air holding the letters that spelled joy. It was taken for their Christmas card. What struck me so was that this family has lived through one of the most difficult years of their …
In His Presence #17
Reading God’s Story Schedule today, 1/25/13: Job chapters 14-17. Weekend Reading Schedule, 1/26/13: Job 18 – 21. 1/27/13: Job 22-24. Join hosts Page and Cindy on Facebook where we are discussing our first week of Bible reading. Everyone is invited to join by going to …
No Greater Joy
As I prayed at the table, my Bible before me, I opened my eyes to find my eight-year-old son copying me—head bowed and eyes closed, his Bible before him. Not having had our children very long—we adopted them mid-last year, my heart filled with joy …
In His Presence #16: God’s Amazing Love
I wanted to see if we could just take some time today during our “In His Presence” time to meditate on God’s love for us. Remember the story from the Bible when God instructed Moses to build a tabernacle? The very name means “dwelling place.” …
Strength in Christ’s Everlasting Joy
“But let all those that put their trust in You rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them: let them also that love Your name be joyful in You.” (Psalm 5:11) Do you have trouble with those that speak of joy as …
In His Presence #15: Sovereign God
This morning, I put three paper cups upside down on the breakfast table and labeled them 1 through 3. Before the kids arrived to eat, I placed three small sweet treats under the cups (a Hershey’s Kiss, a marshmallow, and a pack of Sweet Tarts). …
Fullness of Joy
”…so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.” [John 17:13b] There are some very real and glorious promises given by God. Joy is one of them, but joy is the fruit. Like any fruit it grows out of something—it’s part …