See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children - think of it - and we really are! But since most people don't know God, naturally they don't understand that we are his children. Yes, dear friends, we are already God's children, right now, and we can't even imagine what it is going to be like later on. But we do know this, that when he comes we will be like him, as a result of seeing him as he really is. And everyone who really belie

Read Exodus 13:17-22 - Israelites leaving Egypt. When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer; for God thought, "If the people face war, they may change their minds and return to Egypt." So God led the people by the roundabout way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Exodus 13:17-18 (NRSV) Graham N. West lives in Wisconsin. He often becomes anxious when entering a traffic circle. It is especially cha

"What I tell you now in the gloom, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ears, proclaim from the housetops! "Don't be afraid of those who can kill only your bodies - but can't touch your souls! Fear only God who can destroy both soul and body in hell! Not one sparrow (What do they cost? Two for a penny?) can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't worry! You are more valuable to him than

Read Romans 12: 9-21 Don't just pretend that you love others: really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with brotherly affection and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy in your work but serve the Lord enthusiastically. Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and prayerful always. Romans 12: 9-12 (TLB) Don't quarrel with anyone. Be at peace with everyone; just as much as possible. Romans 12:18 (T

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the suffering and afflicted. He has sent me to comfort the broken-hearted, to announce liberty to captives and to open the eyes of the blind. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of God's favor to them has come, and the day of his wrath to their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel he will give: Beauty for ashes; Joy instead of mourning; Praise instead of heaviness. F

Read Psalms 50:1-15 O my people, listen! For I am your God. Listen! Here are my charges against you: I have no complaint about the sacrifices you bring to my altar, for you bring them regularly.But it isn't sacrificial bullocks and goats that I really want from you. For all the animals of field and forest are mine! The cattle on a thousand hills! And all the birds upon the mountains! If I were hungry, I would not mention it to you - for all the world is mine, and everything

Read 2 Kings 5: 1-14 - Elisha cures Naaman But his officers tried to reason with him and said,"If the prophet had told you to do some great thing, wouldn't you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply to go and wash and be cured!" 2 Kings 5:13 (TLB) When Elisha, the man of God, told Naaman what to do to be healed, Naaman initially refused to do it because it seemed so common. He was expecting an extraordinary healing and almost missed a miracle beca

Read Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 (NRSV) Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Where can I go from your spirit? or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night," even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, doe darknes

But blessed is the man who puts his trust in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence. He is like a tree planted along a riverbank, with its roots reaching deep into the water - a tree not bothered by the heat nor worried by long months of drought. Its leaves stay green and it goes right on producing all its luscious fruit. Jeremiah 17: 7-8 (TLB) Jessica E. Dutton lives in Maine. To celebrate their eleventh wedding anniversary Jessica and her husband took ballr