I remember a time I longed so intensely to experience God’s presence in a fuller measure that I began a fast. The fast ended after two days, but on the following day, I was amazed at the wonderful sense of intimacy with the Holy Spirit. Then I remembered reading that one of the benefits of fasting is the increased communion with God that occurs either during or after a fast.

When the apostle John was very old, he often had to be carried into their meetings. According to tradition, as they carried him, he always had only one thing to say, “Little children, love one another.”

The angel of the churches gave this message to the church in Sardis: “Wake up!.…if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief” (Revelation 3:2, 3). The people of Sardis thought their city was built so it could not be conquered. Yet, twice, enemies captured Sardis because they carelessly posted no guard.

Five young college students were spending a Sunday in London, so they went to hear the famous Charles Spurgeon preach. While waiting for the doors to open, the students were greeted by a man who asked, “Gentlemen, let me show you around. Would you like to see the heating plant of this church?”

One week my husband and I attended the Brooklyn Tabernacle Tuesday night prayer meeting. After more than an hour of praise, worship and prayer, Pastor Jim Cymbala spoke on a scripture that I frequently use when praying for others: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6). The word “blessed” means happy or joyful, and he mentioned that the verse says more than we are happy after we are filled, but that we have joy while we hunger for spiritual things.

I was so discouraged. I had written for days and most of the pages ended up in the trash can. I didn't know how to write but I knew God had called me to write.

It is our most awesome privilege to reflect God to the world around us. But can we truly reflect the glory of a holy God? Yet we hear God’s plan is for us to do just that: “Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD when I show myself holy through you before their eyes” (Ezekiel 36:23).

When I was a girl, I liked to read Christian romances. Sometimes, overcome with curiosity, I’d peek at the last page and then breathe a sigh of relief. “Oh, good, she’s going to marry the right one.” I could continue my reading without worry, confident the story would turn out okay in the end.