If you are reading this, I’m trusting it is because the Lord is stirring in you a desire to know and seek Him as you never have before! It was such a privilege for Jody and I to be able to share with The Summit this morning what God has done in us as we have hungered for Him through fasting. Oh, may He be glorified in and through our church as we all hunger for Him together!
As I mentioned this morning, we are encouraging all who are sensing that …

There are so many things we could do for the Lord – so many great things! Leading Bible studies, going on mission trips, singing in the choir, being a greeter, serving at a homeless shelter, taking a meal to a shut-in, being a pastor, volunteering at school, working with the youth group…the list could go on and on and on. And often our hearts are “right” in that we truly want to do good in His name and for the blessing of those around us. But have you ever felt …

“Then I got up and went about the king’s business.” Daniel 8:27
On the heels of Mark’s sermon this past Sunday about being joy-filled in these anxious times, I was struck as I read this verse this morning. Daniel had many dreams and visions while in exile in Babylon. After one particularly disturbing one, the Bible said he was “exhausted and lay ill for several days.” It even says that he was “appalled by the vision,” because “it was beyond understanding.”
It sounds like maybe…even if not for very long…he was a …

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Mt. 5:6
 
          Fasting is such a simple, yet incredibly profound way to draw nearer to the Lord. It has become a “lost discipline” in the church today. In the early church, and for hundreds of years following, fasting was a normal part of a Christian’s life. It does not seem to be so today, primarily, I believe, because people just don’t understand it, and are therefore full of fear concerning it. Through fasting, the Lord has …

“How could you break faith with the God of Israel like this? How could you turn away from the LORD and build yourselves an altar in rebellion against him now?” Joshua 22: 16
 
I love the book of Joshua! By the time we get to the end of the book, Israel has endured through seven years of battle, and they’ve gained control of Canaan – the Promised Land – which was then divided and allotted to each of the tribes. Joshua dismissed the army, because now it was each tribe’s responsibility …

I’m reading a book right now by Phillip Keller – it was written in 1970 – called “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23.” (Figured I really need to read all the books on my shelf that I haven’t read yet, before I buy more!) I am reminded all over again how very much we miss when we read the Scriptures, simply because we aren’t familiar with the culture in which they were written, or, in this case, the perspective and understanding that come when you know what it’s like to …

        Jody and I have been married for 12 ½ years. I absolutely love being married! From the time I was a little girl, I prayed that I would someday marry someone “just like Jesus” with whom I could serve the Lord all my life. Oh, does Jody ever fit the bill! He is the most honorable, noble, strong, faith-filled, honest, generous, loving man I know! And I am madly in love!
          I am so grateful that the longer we are married, the less and less we have times of …

Faces contorted by anger and hate. Venomous words of condemnation and rejection. No love. No compassion. Zero grace. Who do you think of when you read these words?
Unfortunately, I think of many “Christians” in our country today; people who feel compelled to be moral and theological police – picketing at gay’s rights rallies, outside abortion clinics, on the steps of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. Is it any wonder that so many people want nothing to do with Jesus?! Do not get me wrong. We are called to “be …

“Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation” (Lk.22:46).
          The Lord has been waking me up at night to pray. Some nights, it’s been easy to just get right out of bed and spend a great time of fellowship with Him. Other nights…ugh! It’s so hard! I find myself trying to bargain with Him…if I don’t get up now, then I’ll spend more time praying in the morning. But I know that to a large degree, it’s the obedience-in-the-moment-no-matter-the-cost that He’s trying …

Numbers 21:4 – “But the people grew impatient on the way…” Has this ever described you? We are an impatient people. We want it – whatever “it’ may be – right now. But something God has been so deeply impressing on my heart is that the journey, at the very least, is just as important as the destination – and many times, it’s more important.
How are you waiting? Impatiently or passionately? With frustration or expectation? Full of faith or full of anxiety? Trusting or doubting? With grumbling or gratitude?
What are …