It’s the end of a long hard day, and nothing went the way you planned when you awoke that morning.  The coffeemaker quit—you don’t have time to pick up coffee on the way to work because you are already late.  Overcast skies reflect your mood.  Entering the door of your office, someone has piled ten new files on your desk for you to tackle.  There is no time for lunch, so you grab a stale granola bar from your desk drawer.  On the way home during a rainy commute, your car gets a flat tire.  Starting to call for help, you realize you forgot to charge your phone last night, and it is out of battery power!  At the end of your rope, you exclaim, “I hate my life!” 

I think two things can be true at the same time. The LORD was angry with the Israelites and it seems logical to think that Satan would tempt David’s weakness regarding his pride in his army.

a powerful Syrian commander who suffered from leprosy and was healed through the prophetic ministry of Elisha, contains rich lessons in humility, faith, obedience, and grace.

So how do we do it? How do we continue to show our faithfulness and love for God when times become turbulent?

David’s men tell him that he should no longer go out with them to battle, “so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.” They aren’t dishonoring him. They are protecting him. T

Three times Paul prayed that this affliction might be removed. This is important. Christian maturity does not mean pretending suffering doesn't hurt. Paul genuinely wanted relief, and he openly asked God for it.

If you are waiting for the perfect time or to have things all figured out first –there isn’t one, and you don’t need to. If you believe, why shouldn’t you be baptized?

Nathan told him plainly, “The LORD has taken away your sin.” But forgiveness didn’t mean that every consequence disappeared.

Sometimes we have a relatively clear understanding of where we are and where we are going, but there are other times when the way seems enshrouded in fog.

Despite this stoning, Stephen’s final words are “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” which is so