Reviews and Views

…in my opinion.

Life’s Changes and Chances (Isaiah 42:6)

Fearless is the child of God when facing the changes and chances of this life. The Father knows each challenge and every course life takes. Each of His children can be full of hope that He will deliver them out of them as their hand rests in His hand, and He firmly grasps theirs. God will lead each of His children through all things. But when necessary, He will even bear them up in His arms when they cannot stand. 

The same everlasting Father who cares for you and me today will take care of our tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield us from suffering or give us unfailing strength to bear it. So, let us be at peace, putting aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.

~~~ paraphrase of Frances de Sales (1567-1622)

Consider: There is never a time when we may not hope in God. Whatever our necessities, however great our difficulties, and though, to all appearances, help is impossible, our business is to hope in God. Our hope will not be in vain. In the Lord’s choosing and time, help will come.

~~~ partial quote of George Mueller (1805-1898)

February 11, 2025 Posted by | Culture, Life | , , | Leave a comment

He Give Quietness (Job 34:29)

Job had days when earth and hell seemed set against him. Many of us have felt overwhelmed and near drowning with each wave after another of conflict, sickness, or financial challenges. How we long to hear Christ’s voice above the screams of the wind whipping through the cords holding the sails of our little boat. “Peace, be still!” He draws near and whispers the assurance of His presence. When He does, an infinite calm keeps our hearts and minds in peace.

January 31, 2025 Posted by | Bible, Culture, Hope, Life | , , , , | Leave a comment

Tempting the Conqueror

Though it may seem unlikely, temptation is necessary to settle and confirm us in the spiritual life. It acts like winds that cause the mighty cedars of the mountains to strike more deeply into the soil. 

Once a noted scientist observed that “early voyagers imagined that the coral-building animals instinctively built up the great circles of the Atoll Islands to afford themselves protection in the inner parts.” But this thought was disproved by showing that the insect builders can only live and thrive confronting the open ocean and in the highly aerated foam of its relentless surf. Likewise, many have held that protected ease is the most favorable condition of life. In contrast, all the noblest and strongest lives prove, on the contrary, that endurance of hardship makes men and is the factor that distinguishes between mere existence and vigorous vitality. Hardship makes character.

So it is with Christians. Temptation drives us deeper into our relationship with our Lord. He uses it to teach us that we can be victorious over those spiritual challenges. 

“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

—- paraphrase of devotion from Streams in the Desert, January 13.

January 13, 2025 Posted by | Culture, Life | , , , , | Leave a comment