So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly –(Joshua 14:14 NIV).
This is the story of a remarkable man of faith. We are given a small but informative sketch about his zeal for God.
Caleb was one of the leaders … Read the rest
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint –(Isaiah 40:31 NIV).
Hoping in the Lord can be disheartening at times because the answer to your prayers may have been delayed. At … Read the rest
One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their king will pass through before them, the Lord at their head –(Micah 2:13 NIV).
Our God is One who breaks open ways where none exists. As Christians we often come to dead ends in … Read the rest
Grain must be ground to make bread; so one does not go on threshing it forever. Though he drives the wheels of his threshing cart over it, his horses do not grind it –(Isaiah 28:28 NIV).
Bread is the final product we get after a lot of processes. And from this process that God has … Read the rest
But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, `Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them’ –(Numbers 20:12 NIV).
Trusting in God is good. But when you are leaders of God’s flock … Read the rest
And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God — (1 Samuel 23:16 NIV).
David was a great man of God–a man after God’s own heart! He did great exploits trusting in his God. But when there came difficult times in his life, he was just like any … Read the rest
Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him –(Isaiah 64:4 NIV).
God can act only for those who wait for Him. Those who are busily rushing forward need not expect God to act for … Read the rest
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace –(Numbers 6:24-26 NIV).
This is the priestly blessing with which God commanded Aaron and his sons to bless the Israelites.
God wishes to bless … Read the rest
Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained –(1 Samuel 2:30b NIV).
God is worthy of our highest honor. The story of Eli and his sons teaches us that there is a serious possibility of losing God’s favor when we dishonor God: Eli and his sons were chosen … Read the rest
But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow — (Psalm 60:4 NIV).
“BUT” is the most important word here. This promise is not for everyone. It is only for those who fear God. :q Does it mean that you have to tremble in fear? Does it … Read the rest
This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: `In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it’ (Isaiah 30:15 NIV).
We humans do not take rest seriously. We always want to move about and get things done. But God … Read the rest
For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end (Psalm 48:14 NIV).
This God who dwells with His children and protects them is our God. He is our God not only for our earthly life, but for the life beyond it as well. He is … Read the rest
In that day their burden will be lifted from your shoulders, their yoke from your neck; the yoke will be broken because you have grown so fat (Isaiah 10:27 NIV).
A day will come when every bondage in your life will be broken. What a relief will it be when the burden that drowned you … Read the rest
Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you (Zechariah 9:12 NIV).
God is our fortress. Those who remain within the fortress are surrounded with God’s strength. The fortress thus is a symbol of divine protection. This protection is available to a child … Read the rest
The hurts of life are painful.
And the agony of some life-experiences are like volcanic lava that boil and occasionally erupt under great pressure.
The suffering is real.
And words of comfort or care from your dearest may not wipe away those tears.
The question is: Can God?
The first thing to note is that, … Read the rest
Like a newborn child grows day by day, a born again person is also like a child growing in the life of faith. Here are different stages of a Christian’s walk of faith. These stages may not happen exactly in the order described below. But it might help in understanding the changes that can happen … Read the rest
Saul asked this question as soon as he got the answer to his previous question: “Who are you, Lord?” (Acts 22:8). The answer was: “I am Jesus of Nazareth.”
If you know for sure that the person with whom you had an encounter in life is Jesus, then the next question to ask is: “What … Read the rest
Jesus said:
“Behold, I am coming soon!”
The truth that Jesus is coming soon should excite you. It should create in your heart a great longing to see Him appear. This is the blessed hope to which you and the other believers are looking forward to.
A “crown of righteousness” is promised to you and … Read the rest
There is great danger in living in the past. If you have a problem in this area of life, then you ought to remember that there is an empty tomb in the land of Israel. Only one of its kind exists in the world. This empty tomb is the symbol of your hope for the … Read the rest
Help you understand God’s will for your lives showing you how Old Testament relates to your life in today’s context.
Genesis 1:1 In the Beginning God Created
Genesis 1:2 The Spirit of God Was Hovering
Genesis 1:3,4 Let There Be Light
Genesis 1:16 God Made Two Great Lights and the Stars
Genesis 2:22 He … Read the rest
| There is only One who can make this claim. If you seek Him; you will live.
If you need to know life to the fullest, then you must focus on seeking God. But this seeking does not come easy. There are many voices calling out to you to give them your attention. In this clash |
One dictionary defines complacency as: “A feeling of satisfaction with yourself or with a situation, so that you do not think any change is necessary; the state of being complacent1.”
This sin of complacency is what destroyed the Israelites from enjoying the fullness of the Promised Land of Canaan. Joshua asked this question to them: … Read the rest
| Mercy is an attitude of kindness and forgiveness shown where none is expected. Certainly we have no grounds to expect God’s mercy. Sin in us is so repulsive to God that it draws a line of separation between us and God that cannot be crossed. Yet God shows mercy to us through His Son Jesus |
Most people are anxious to know their future. For this they depend on horoscopes or palm reading or go to meet astrologers. A few resort to more powerful methods or persons.
The sad fact is that all these sources of knowledge about the future have their origin in evil. The not so known … Read the rest
The Bible is unapologetic in its stand on Atheism. It says in unmistakable terms: “The fool says in his heart, `There is no God’ ” (Psalm 14:1, 53:1 NIV).
The Atheist is challenged to look at God’s creation. The wisdom and power of God is clearly evident in His creation. The infinite variety, the … Read the rest
Life is not easy. The life of faith not easy at all.
In my Sunday School days I grew up fascinated by stories of young David killing Goliath, Daniel unharmed in the den of lions and the dreamer Joseph becoming Prime Minister in Egypt.
As I grew up I also dreamed of becoming such a … Read the rest
Salvation is a joyous affair. Its sounds of joy echo in the heavens above where there is joy in the presence of angels when one sinner repents. God is made glad when one is saved. This joy is so huge that Jesus was willing to endure the shame of the cross. He is so full … Read the rest
Open doors in life mean opportunity, progress and promotion. But unexpectedly certain open doors close. It leaves you desperate. Then you cry out, “O my God, where are you? Is it all over for me? Open one door for me. Give me a sign of your goodness.1”
This cry comes from desperation. … Read the rest
We have a God who encourages us. He is One who “knows how we are formed,” and “remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14 NIV). Therefore He has compassion on us. He makes His compassion known by giving us encouragement. It comes in a variety of ways. A timely word, a needed financial help, a … Read the rest
Lessons from the Beginning of Jesus’ Ministry
We should understand that God has a perfect time to begin everything.
Let us look at Jesus’ life to understand this. The purpose of Jesus’ birth was announced even before He was conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary through the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20,21; Luke … Read the rest
