It Is Well: Finding Certainty Before the Miracle Happens
I settled into my favorite armchair, Bible open on my lap, and reread the story of the Shunammite woman in II Kings 4. Her journey from despair to faith has always intrigued me, but this time, something new stood out. It wasn't just her words that shifted. Her entire perspective transformed as she drew nearer to God's presence.
At home, with her lifeless son lying on the bed, she declared, "It shall be well." What a statement of faith! She didn't see any evidence of life or hope, yet she spoke with certainty. She trusted in God's power, even when circumstances screamed otherwise. That's where faith begins, for her and for us. It starts with a declaration, a bold statement of belief in God's ability to intervene, even when the situation seems impossible.
But she didn't stop there. She didn't just sit by her son's body and hope for the best. No, she took action.
The Blind Leading the Blind
I slumped back in my chair and let out a lengthy sigh. For the past twenty minutes, I had been watching a tutorial video that promised to resolve my illustration dilemma for my latest book project. As someone who takes pride in creating visually appealing books, I was eager to learn this new technique.
However, my enthusiasm quickly morphed into frustration as I realized the presenter had no idea what she was talking about. Not only was she new to the software, but she openly admitted she hadn’t actually tried the feature she was attempting to teach!
“Let me just click around here and see what happens,” she said repeatedly, fumbling through menus and settings while I watched in growing dismay. It didn’t take long for me to realize I understood the software better than she did.
Should Christians Use AI?
I confess, I've been keeping a secret from you all. There's a helper in my office. It's not a person but more of a digital assistant that's been quietly supporting much of what I do in ministry and writing. Yes, I'm talking about AI, and I've been hesitant to mention it because of the vastly different reactions it provokes among Christians.
Some of you might be nodding along, thinking, "It's just technology." Others may be reaching for your Revelation study notes, convinced this is another harbinger of the Antichrist. I understand both perspectives.
When Jason and I first came to Wales, technology was a blessing that kept us connected to family, friends, and supporting churches. Now, AI has become another tool in our missionary toolkit. It helps me create chapel newsletters, organize community events, and even acts as a brainstorming partner in my writing efforts.
When Giants Block Your Promised Land
Have you ever felt utterly deflated when facing an impossible situation? I admit I've felt that way numerous times. I know God is good. I know He can handle every problem. Yet, when negative circumstances surround me and deadlines loom before me, my faith grows weak, and my mind begins to doubt. When that happens, I often open my Bible to Numbers 13.
"And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it" (Numbers 13:30).
What courage! While ten spies spread fear about giants and walled cities, Joshua and Caleb saw the same challenges but reached a dramatically different conclusion. The Bible specifically mentions they had "another spirit" (Numbers 14:24). In modern terms, they had a different attitude, a different perspective.
What about you? What giants are you facing today?
Prayer Works Better Than Worry
My daily devotions have been remarkably persistent lately. Trust God. Don't complain. Believe when things seem impossible. You know what that means, right? A test was coming!
Saturday was our annual community-wide family fun day, our biggest outreach event of the year. Picture bouncy houses, obstacle courses, carnival games, and excited children everywhere. It takes an army of volunteers to run each station smoothly.
As the coordinator, I'd been struggling with the volunteer roster. We were already at least two people short, forcing me to consider doubling up some staff. Several potential helpers responded with those dreaded words: "I might be able to help, but I can't commit."
The anxiety was building as the day approached. Then Friday evening, the phone rang. One of our core volunteers had a family crisis and needed to bow out. Completely understandable, but my heart sank. I took a deep breath, committed everything to God (again), and told myself I absolutely would not panic.