Just as God gave the Israelites fresh manna each day, He also wants to give us something fresh from the Word daily. We become spiritually weak when we try to live for several days on what He's provided for today. We might think it makes little difference if we are not in the Word daily, but Solomon indicated we will fail to apply it in some area of our lives: "Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge" (Proverbs 19:27). Our ability to live by the Word hinges on our continually listening.

One Sunday morning a friend called. "I'm suppose to preach this morning and I've been sick all night. Would you pray?" I prayed briefly on the phone and continued praying for him after hanging up. 

Joy is one of the distinctive marks of those who are "in Christ"--even when in difficulties. "In all our troubles my joy knows no bounds," exclaimed Paul in 2 Corinthians 7:4.

Notice how specifically God answers prayer. Moses prayed, "If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways" (Exodus 33:13). The psalmist wrote "He made known his ways to Moses" (Ps 103:7).

"The Lord promised me healing, but I'm disappointed in the healing," a lady shared. Although her improvement after an accident astonished the doctors, she had some residual effects. Rather than rejoicing in what God had done, she struggled with bitterness over what He had not done.

Joyce developed a promising relationship with a man in another city. One evening at the close of a particularly delightful conversation, he told her he had an errand to run and would call later. As it turned out, the "later" lasted two years! It was as if he had vanished from the face of the earth, dropping her in the process. 

Our Chinese friend Lee asked us, "Why do non-Christians in Taiwan celebrate Christmas?"

Digger of oceans, polisher of stars

Hanger of planets and Healer of scars.

Sparrows' Mortician and Passover Lamb,

Feeder of ravens; Condemner of sham.

Cana Wine-Maker; Creator of light, ….