The world is desperate for us to live out our calling with humility, gentleness, boldness, and a servant's heart. We are going to make mistakes. We will not always do it right. We may be in positions that are way over our heads, but we're not doing it alone. We go with the Holy Spirit who guides us, equips us, and protects us.

Do you need a MIRACLE today? Do you need him to intervene, cause healing, break a stronghold, bring something dead back to life?

A miracle is defined by "Merriam Webster" as: an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing or accomplishment; an event manifesting divine intervention, a wonderful occurrence.

Those of us who put our faith in Jesus believe that he did mighty miracles, and he is still doing them today. But that doesn't mean that God answers the way we might expect or in timing that matches our demands.

Jesus was close to Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. They hosted Jesus at their home and enjoyed many meals together. If Jesus was going to do a miracle, you'd think it would be for his closest friends first and quickly. But the story in John 11 surprises us. Jesus delays doing the miracle, and he waits for the perfect timing.

There are a lot of fake things all around us. Fake bodies. Fake lashes. Fake nails. Fake purses. Fake merchandise. Fake technology. Fake news. Fake entertainment. Social media is mostly fake stuff! Wrestling, which some people love? Fake. We know it's fake, and we still watch it with anticipation!

Did you know you can get fake diplomas? Thousands of people worldwide purchase diplomas, and it would horrify you to know the kinds of diplomas you can buy, for something like $250,000. You can get a diploma to be a contractor (a defense contractor, of all things), a consultant, or a nurse. Here's the scariest one. A doctor. Yeah. How would you like to go to one of those fake doctors? Maybe you have. I hope not…

Sometimes life circumstances force us to our knees. Yet, we have a God who is always by us with his arms wide open, already working on our behalf.

My son went through a difficult season when he was a teenager. I wanted to save him. If I could, I would have taken on his pain, but that was not an option. For years, I tried everything I could think of to relieve his struggle. Again and again, I failed. The problem was bigger than my ability or resolve. It was beyond my control. I hated that…

But this I know, I can come to God with whatever my problems, whatever decision I need to make, in whatever mood I’m in. Thanks to Jesus, I don’t have to clean up or pretend with God. He receives me as I am, and he loves me. Isaiah 41:10 reminds me of this.