Mark 6 32So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 34When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. 35By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a ..read more

Mark 6:7 7Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. Mark 6:31 31Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Psalm 46:10 10He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The power of rest What is your mission in life? Many people get scared when asked that question, unsure what their mission is or even if they need one. Don’t ..read more

Matthew 22:39 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Do you take time for yourself? It was a typical morning, and to be honest, I had a thousand new ideas for you on my heart and mind. I wanted to write new texts for A Miracle Every Day, but all my “to-dos” and the expectations of others weighing on me just wouldn’t let me rest. I get constant requests to post something about a new book, song, or project or to quickly answer that urgent email. I understand…I’m also happy when others post about my new work or quickly respond to my emails! BUT, everything we do for ..read more

Romans 5:3-5 3Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Thoughts “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings…”  What? First let’s go back one verse, where Paul says, “Through [Jesus] we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2, ESV). We have obtaine ..read more

Nehemiah 9:32-33 32“Now therefore, our God, the great God, mighty and awesome, who keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes—the hardship that has come on us, on our kings and leaders, on our priests and prophets, on our ancestors and all your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today. 33In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly. Ephesians 5:1 1Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children Thoughts In Nehemiah’s prayer he refers to God as gracious, mercifu ..read more

John 14:30-31 30I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, 31but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. “Come now; let us leave. Thoughts Jesus is speaking of his death. He understood that he would be betrayed by Judas. He knew that the religious leaders of his day would have Him crucified. He then makes a bold statement about his enemy: “… he has no claim on me.” In other words, the enemy cannot have victory over Jesus. Then why did Jesus die on the cross? Because he was ..read more

Hebrews 13:8 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Matthew 23:25 25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Thoughts Jesus Christ is the same. He has always been the same. He will forever be the same. Jesus is the same today, and yesterday, and forever. This is so reassuring. Think about the eternalness of Jesus. Jesus doesn’t say to the adulteress woman, “I had compassion in the past, but for you now I am not sure.” He didn’t only say to the Phari ..read more

Psalm 102:12 12But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations. Thoughts God is forever enthroned. He is forever remembered. Sometimes our days may feel long. It may feel like the worries of life have overshadowed us. Our joy may be withering like grass, but God is still forever enthroned and forever remembered.  Although we live in a fallen world, God still sits on his throne. Although our enemies seem to prevail, God is still on his throne. Although sickness may have attacked our bodies, God is still enthroned. Although you may be afflicted, God st ..read more

1 John 4:8 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:16 16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. Romans 5:8 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Thoughts This verse starts out with “anyone,” which is very clear. “Anyone” means everyone. It goes on to say that the person who does not love does not know God. Since you are an “anyone,’ how is your love for everyone? Your love for others will show your knowledge of God.&nbs ..read more

Matthew 6:12 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Matthew 18:34-35 34In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” Matthew 5:7 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. James 2:13 13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Releasing the Prisoner: You Forgiveness is not optional; it’s essent ..read more