Offering a Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, forth such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:15-16 The Amplified Bible describes a sacrifice of praise: Through Him, therefore, let […]
Ridicule
When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? […]
Our Helper
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6 Moses had a servant/master relationship with God. When he was commissioned by God to go to Pharaoh and demand the release of God’s people, he lamented, O my Lord, I have […]
God’s Prevailing Power
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15 Often we are confused about whether or not something is from God. We long to know God’s will, and we long to discern […]
Demonstration of Miracles
His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 3:10 Matthew 14 and 15 recount the miracles of Jesus feeding the five thousand and the four thousand who had come to hear Him teach. We also […]
Love Covers Sin
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. I Peter 4:8 In this passage from I Peter, Peter exhorts the believers to love each other deeply because love covers a multitude of sins. Eugene Patterson’s The Message puts it this way: Most of all, love each other as […]
Determination and Hard Work
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teacher to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of […]
Our Source of Power
You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:17-18 […]
Taking a Risk
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. Luke 9:24 The Israelites had to take a risk when they stepped into the swollen waters of the Jordan River. Such a risk involves trusting God to go before us even when we do […]
Remembering Our Spiritual Milestones
Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced I Chronicles 16:12 Whether you have just embarked on your spiritual journey or have been journeying for many years, I hope that you have recognized the importance of remembering spiritual milestones. It is important not only to remember these milestones, but […]