Job 2–3 (KJV) Satan accused Job again, claiming he feared God only because his health remained. God allowed Job to suffer physically, yet placed clear limits. Even in great pain, God was still sovereign. Job’s wife spoke words born from overwhelming grief: “Curse God, and die.” Scripture never condemns her. She had lost her children, her possessions, and now watched her husband suffer. Job corrected her, not by denying her faith, but by warning against speaking as one who act

As many of you know, on August 20, 2023, my daughter Katherine (Katie) Connor died by suicide. In the months since her passing, the book of Job has become especially meaningful to me. This Saturday evening, I will begin a sermon series walking through this powerful book of Scripture. Below are a few devotional thoughts drawn from the first message. Worship in Mourning Job was a man who feared God and walked uprightly. God blessed him greatly—yet in a single day Job lost every

Luke 2:8–20 When God announced the birth of His Son, He didn’t begin in a palace or a temple. He went to a field. Ordinary shepherds, faithfully watching their flocks by night, were the first to hear the greatest news the world has ever known. Why shepherds? Because the gospel is not reserved for the important or impressive. It is for the humble, the overlooked, and the willing. When the angels spoke, the shepherds didn’t debate or delay—they went “with haste” to see Jesus. A

Matthew 2:1–12 As we look toward this Sunday’s message from Matthew 2:1–12, it’s worth pausing to consider the situation the wise men found themselves in. These travelers from the East set out on a difficult journey because they were searching for Someone—the Messiah, the King of kings. They had seen His star and were eager to bring Him gifts worthy of a King. But how did they know about the star? Scripture doesn’t tell us directly, but it is entirely possible that they were

Throughout the month of December, the messages in our church services are focused on the promises given in the Old Testament regarding the Messiah and the fulfillment shown in the New Testament. This week we will be looking at the promises found in the genealogy of Jesus. As we move through this study, I am impressed with the simple but profound truth that every promise God fulfilled is a reminder that He is always true to His Word. The birth of Christ was not a last-minute p

Yesterday was my daughter Katherine’s birthday. In honor of her, we went out to eat and enjoyed her favorite ice cream flavor. Earlier in the day, I stopped by her grave. I know her real self—her soul—is with the Lord, but I still needed that quiet moment at the place where we laid her body to rest. As we approach Thanksgiving, my heart is drawn to the reminder found in 1 Corinthians 15:55–57 : “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is

“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (KJV) As we enter this season of gratitude, these simple yet powerful verses remind us what a truly thankful person looks like. A thankful person is someone who has joy, not because life is perfect, but because their relationship with God is real and alive. Joy flows from knowing Him. It grows as we spend time with Him. Pa

Romans 6:1–4 (KJV) “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” In my last post, I wrote about resti

Matthew 11:28–30; Ephesians 2:8–10 The past few church services, we’ve talked about rest—the kind Jesus offers in Matthew 11:28–30. God desires for us to find rest in Him. Jesus says, “Come unto Me… and I will give you rest.” So many today are trying to work for salvation, or even to work to keep it. But God’s Word reminds us that salvation is by grace through faith—not of works, lest any man should boast. The Gospel is simple and powerful: Jesus died for our sins, He said “I

Each new day is a gift from God — made by Him, filled with His purpose, and sustained by His grace. We may not know what the day will bring, but we can know Who holds it. Choosing to rejoice isn’t about ignoring our struggles; it’s about trusting God’s presence in every circumstance. Whether today brings joy or challenge, we can find peace knowing the Lord made this day for His glory and our good. Prayer: Lord, thank You for this day You have made. Help me to rejoice in it an

When my daughter died, I found comfort in reading the Psalms and the book of Job. For a time, though I had often told others not to, I searched for the reason behind her death. Because she died by suicide, I wrestled with anger—anger toward her, and anger toward myself. But I couldn’t stay angry with her for long. I knew the terrible mental strain she had been under, and my heart broke for the pain she must have felt. Even in my grief, I never doubted God’s existence or His p

Life is filled with choices—some small, others that can alter the course of our lives. As believers, we desire to walk in the path God has prepared for us, making decisions that honor Him. Yet, our human limitations often leave us uncertain of what to do. What a blessing it is that God invites us to ask Him for wisdom! He does not scold us for needing help or for not having the answers. Instead, He generously gives wisdom to those who ask in faith. This promise should encoura

David’s prayer in Psalm 143 is deeply personal. He is not just facing outward trouble but inward despair. In verse 3, he speaks of an enemy who persecutes his soul. By verse 4, his spirit is overwhelmed. We can relate—life’s burdens often weigh us down beyond what our own strength can handle. But David does not stay in discouragement. In verse 5, he looks back and remembers God’s past faithfulness, and in verse 6 he turns his heart to worship, thirsting for God above all else

When we walk through life, there are so many moments when the road ahead feels uncertain. We long to know the next step, to see where God is leading us. The psalmist reminds us that God has given us exactly what we need—His Word. Scripture is not just a book of history or moral lessons; it is the living Word of God, shining light into the darkness and showing us the way forward. Many times we may find ourselves wishing God would speak audibly, giving clear instructions. But t

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