“O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!” – 2 Samuel 18:33 He was the darling boy of his father. Handsome from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet, Absalom was highly praised and adored by all Israel. … Continue reading A Father’s Heart

 ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to … Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’ (Lk. 15:29-30)  The older son in the Parable of the Prodigal Son was … Continue reading Feeling Left Out

“When I saw that the men were scattering … I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal … So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering” –1 Samuel 13:11-12 There is a hilarious story told of a rural pastor who was in desperate need for money. A circus came to town … Continue reading Desperate Moves

Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire – Nehemiah 1:3 He didn’t have to concern himself with Jerusalem and the condition of the returnees, but he did. Nehemiah was born … Continue reading What Report Have You Received?

The woman whose son was alive was deeply moved out of love for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!” – 1 Kings 3:26 She knew her baby. She carried him for nine months and delighted in his movements in her tummy. His kicks were … Continue reading A Mother’s Heart

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy - Micah 7:18 There is nothing more torturous than anticipating the reaction of someone you have offended. “When will he return?” “What will he say?” I remember the day I broke … Continue reading Forgiven and Free!

Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe – John 20:25   Don’t blame Thomas too much. Though he trusted Jesus and remained faithful to Him, the events of the week had left him disillusioned and … Continue reading When Doubt Clouds The Son

If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”Luke 19:31 Sometimes we act as if we own everything in this world. Our boastful attitude and posture is stark evidence of our ignorance and folly. “For we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it” (1 … Continue reading Who Is the Real Owner?

Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us – Isaiah 26:12 If there is any time the world needs peace, it is now. There is chaos in people’s hearts, and there are disturbed minds everywhere. Chaos reigns in homes, marriages, fraternal relationships, communities, nations, and even in the church. … Continue reading Peace Only in Jesus