He Knows My Shame Scripture Reading: John 8:1-11 Meditation She’s looking for “Mr. Right” in the wrong bed. It’s dawn. As the rest of the women in the village are getting dressed and going out the front door to do the morning chores, she’s sneaking through the back door of her neighbor’s house, getting undressed, taking off […]
“True to your word, you let me catch my breath, and send me in the right direction.” Psalm 23:3 Every journey has its share of starts and stops and it’s only the better part of wisdom that knows when it’s time to do which. Though the Good Shepherd asks his sheep to follow, he never […]
He Knows My Refusal to Forgive Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:15-35 Meditation Peter’s been hurt one too many times. One of his fellow believers has taken advantage of the gift of grace and has turned it into a license – a sanction to sin. To Peter’s credit, he’s tried to work it out. Step by step, […]
He Knows My Rebellion Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:13-28 Meditation As Jesus walks toward Jerusalem, Israel’s nationalistic morale is low but its Messianic expectations are high. The crowd that follows this itinerant preacher from Nazareth is looking for someone to reclaim the crown of the kingdom of David. If Jesus wants to lead the rebellion against […]
He Knows My Reluctance to Love Scripture Reading: Luke 10:25-42 Meditation Jesus knows that love is an art and that the art of love is to take notice. Ever since his ministry began, Jesus has been trying to paint pictures of what life is like in the kingdom of God. As he paints, the strokes […]
He Knows My Desire to Be First Scripture Reading: Mark 9:30-37; 10:32-45 Meditation The road to Jerusalem leads to a cross but Jesus walks the path anyway. Though they pledge their allegiance to the Master, the disciples, however, want to go their own way. They want to walk the way of glory. They run after […]
He Knows My Faith Scripture Reading: Luke 7:1-10 Meditation Soldiers understand authority. They live and move under the chain of command. When their commander says ‘Go,’ they go. When he says ‘Come,’ they come. When he says ‘Do this,’ they do it double time. In the chain of command, every order is a link of […]
He Knows My Unbelief Scripture Reading: Mark 9:14-32 Meditation When a child is in constant pain and a father’s persistent prayers go unanswered, doubt tears faith apart. The father who brings his demon-possessed son to Jesus’ disciples has faith, but it’s a faith intermixed with unbelief. And right now, unbelief is slowly taking over the lion’s share […]
“You have bedded me down in lush meadows,you find me quiet pools to drink from.” Psalm 23:2 Peace. The very sound of the word is soothing to the soul. It’s a quiet word not easily heard above the clatter of the world’s daily chaos. It never shouts over the madness. It whispers calm into it. […]
He Knows My Loss Scripture Reading: Luke 7:11-23 Meditation For the widow from the village Nain, the death of her only son represents loss upon loss. As her son’s funeral procession makes it way toward the village cemetery, the widow carries a double burden. She’s walked the path from her home to the graveyard once […]
He Knows My Helplessness Scripture Reading: John 5:1-15 Meditation The pool of Bethesda is where the angel of the Lord swims. Popular belief has it that whoever is the first to jump into the pool when the angel splashes is the one who would be cured of whatever disease he had. But there is only […]
He Knows My Plea Scripture Reading: John 4:43-54 Meditation The village of Cana is still abuzz about Jesus’ last visit. They all remember the wedding with the heavenly wine. But it was only after the wedding that they found out what had really happened. The groom had miscalculated—more guests than wine. Mary, Jesus’ mother, had whispered the […]
He Knows My Panic Scripture Reading: Luke 2:41-52 Meditation A mother’s greatest joy is holding her baby close. But there comes a day when she has to open her arms and let him go. It’s a moment when she finds herself suddenly looking up at her son, not down. Suddenly she realizes that he’s no […]
He Knows My Terror Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-23 Meditation As Mary and Joseph settle in Bethlehem, a river of blood flows through Judea. Its headwaters begin at the foot of Herod’s throne and its current courses through the small Roman province. Herod’s terror surges through every village surrounding Jerusalem, sweeping away royal foes, friends, and […]
He Knows My Confusion Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-20 Meditation For a young couple planning a marriage, timing is everything. First comes the bended knee—the pledge and the proposal. Next, there are the wedding plans, showers, invitations and excitement of the engagement. Finally, there’s the ceremony, the “I dos”, the best wishes from friends and family, […]
