Words of Life

“…deliver us from evil…” (Matthew 6:13) On April 30, 1967, LeoThorsness was shot down over North Vietnam. He was held and tortured for six years. Today's devotional comes from Col. Thorsness' memoirs, Surviving Hell. The first Sunday at the Hanoi Hilton, someone said, "Let's have church service." Good idea, we…

"Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days." (Joel 2:29) God can bring a number of people into your life to show you how to be victorious in the frightening area of finances. You can learn from many of them in…

“But only one thing is needed.” (Luke 10:42f) There is nothing in life that matters more than the presence of God and there is nothing we can do in life that matters unless it is an outflow of our experience of the presence of God. Here is why: In Mark…

"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." (James 3:16) The devil knows that envy and strife destroy relationships and long-term friendships. He is aware that if he can create envy and strife between you and the ones you love, he can ruin those special…

God is love. Crazy, relentless, all-powerful love. Have you ever wondered if we’re missing it? It’s crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe--the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor--loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We…

"…for they drank from the Spiritual rock that accompaniedthem, and that rock was Christ." (1 Corinthians 10:4) In your everyday life, whom or what do you seek first and most to fulfill your needs? I am referring to needs that transcend the physical and go deep into one’s heart and…

The day began as had a hundred others—dreadfully. It was bad enough to be in Judea, but it was hell to spend hot afternoons on a rocky hill supervising the death of pickpockets and rabble rousers. Half the crowd taunted, half cried. The soldiers griped. The priests bossed. It was…

"Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;you teach me wisdom in the inmost place."(Psalm 51:6) It’s a Big Life you’re called to lead. There’s a Big Dream in your heart, placed there by God himself. You know it’s there, even though, like most of us, you lose track of…

"Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue." (Psalm 66:16-17) When Moses was 120 years old, he told the people of Israel that he would not…

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and strainingtoward what is ahead, I press on….” (Philippians 3:13-14) When I look back over my life, I can see where I’ve missed out on some God-given opportunities. Maybe you are saying the same thing. If so, I want to encourage…