My friend Bev recently changed her work schedule, freeing up more time for ministry. One morning she prayed, “Lord, show me what you want me to do today.” “Go to Walmart,” said the Lord. “Walmart?” questioned Bev, “but I don’t need anything at Walmart.” “Yes, Walmart,” responded the Lord. “Go, and I will show you when you get there.” So Bev arrived at Walmart, still unsure of what would happen. “Where should I go, Lord?” “To the back of the store, the toy aisle,” came her answer. There Bev encountered a distraught looking woman, softly weeping. During the next 15…
Do you sometimes feel that you fall short in living the Christian life? If we’re honest, I think many of us would say yes. We may put self before service; perhaps we deny Him by the words we speak, the way we live. We may be easily distracted, love only when it’s convenient, and at times willfully disobey God’s word. Yet Jesus has an amazing way of restoring us back to Him when we fail. He doesn’t ask us to try harder. He doesn’t demean, degrade, or disgrace us. Rather, He simply asks that we consider our love for Him….
We’ve seen the pictures . . . Jesus, the Good Shepherd, serenely walking along a lush green meadow carrying a young lamb, sheep leisurely following behind. Jesus, walking through crowds, people thronging to be near Him. Jesus . . . always calm, caring, in control. But did He ever get upset? Angry? Sad? Stressed? Yes! Gospel records show us Jesus got angry at injustice. He wept and grieved when His friend Lazarus died. He had to contend with the Pharisees, constantly berating Him for healing people on Sabbath, the “wrong” day of the week. The Son of God was a…
