I cared for you in the desert, in the land of burning heat. When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me (Hosea 13:5,6 NIV).
Moving farther away from God is a process. Ironically, it begins at the time you experience God’s care. That means, a … Read the rest
In the Womb, He Grasped His Brother’s Heel
In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel; as a man he struggled with God. He struggled with the angel and overcame him; he wept and begged for his favor (Hosea 12:3,4 NIV).
Many people give excuses for their bad character traits. They say that they were born that way.
As we look at Jacob’s … Read the rest
Record of Sins, Forgiveness
If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared (Psalm 130:3, 4 NIV).
Forgiveness of sins is the bridge that God builds. It opens the way for you to get near God. There is no other way. So look to … Read the rest
Here Comes That Dreamer!
“Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. “Come now, let’s kill him … Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams” (Genesis 37:19,20 NIV).
Are you a dreamer? Better still, are you a dreamer for God? Do you expect to do something big for God? Then they’ll call you a dreamer. And you’ll … Read the rest
The Sun Rose, He Was Limping
The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip (Genesis 32:31 NIV).
The man who wrestled with God touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched. Therefore, after the encounter with God Jacob was limping. Yet that limp was an outward sign that … Read the rest
What Is Your Name?
The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and men and have overcome” (Genesis 32:27, 28 NIV).
In Biblical times, a man’s name indicated his character. So the question, “What is your name?” … Read the rest
I Will Not Let You Go Unless You Bless Me
But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me” (Genesis 32:26b NIV).
How many people wrestle with God to have Him bless them? Very few. But here Jacob said: “I will not let you go unless . . . .” Holding on to God is very important if you would like … Read the rest
Left Alone, A Man Wrestled Till Daybreak
So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak (Genesis 32:24 NIV).
There are God-impact moments in the life of His children. These can happen anywhere, anytime; since God is not limited by circumstances. But if you desire to have a God-impact moment in your life, better get alone with God.… Read the rest
In That Day You Will Call Me, “My Husband”
In that day, declares the Lord, you will call me `my husband’ ; you will no longer call me `my master’ (Hosea 2:16 NIV).
When God restores, He does it in a magnificent fashion. He surpasses all expectations when He brings back His people to Himself.
He forgives their wanderings and sinful backsliding. He brings … Read the rest
The Angel of the Lord Called a Second Time
The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time (Genesis 22:15 NIV).
The first call was to show Abraham God’s provision of a ram. It was sacrificed instead of his son Isaac. And Abraham acknowledged that by naming that place The Lord Will Provide.
Then came the second call. This time … Read the rest
The Lord Will Provide
The Lord Will Provide (Genesis 22:14 NIV).
This ultimately refers to God’s providing of Jesus, the Lamb of God, for us. But it can be applied to all life situations provided you have accepted God’s provision of the Lamb.
The context of this verse is the testing of Abraham. God asked him to sacrifice Isaac. … Read the rest
Better a Patient Man Than
Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city (Proverbs 16:32 NIV).
Losing temper is not so uncommon today.
Caught in a traffic jam and moving at snail’s pace, walking into your office or workplace to find yesterday’s work pending, or even naughty children at … Read the rest
Do Not Withhold Good
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back later, I’ll give it tomorrow”–when you now have it with you(Proverbs 3:27,28 NIV).
The power to act is a blessing indeed. And God would like you to consider using that … Read the rest
One like a Son of Man, Coming with the Clouds
In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence (Daniel 7:13 NIV).
Time is ticking to its end. Here, in one glorious unveiling, the manner of Jesus’ Second … Read the rest
Daniel, Just As He Had Done Before
Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before (Daniel 6:10b NIV).
Cultivating the habit of prayer is very important. Many people do not understand its importance until very late in life. The reasons for this are many.
So many think … Read the rest
Where the River Flows Everything Will Live
So where the river flows everything will live (Ezekiel 47:9z NIV).
The water flows from the temple. The Bible speaks of your body as the temple of the Holy Spirit. And Jesus talked about streams of living water flowing out from within the one who believes in Him. He said that this would be fulfilled … Read the rest
Instead Of Carrying Out Your Duty, You Put Others
Instead of carrying out your duty in regard to my holy things, you put others in charge of my sanctuary (Ezekiel 44:8 NIV).
Evasion of responsibility is not good. It becomes doubly sinful when you evade a God-given responsibility. Added to that when you put others who have no relation to God in charge of … Read the rest
Just As Gehazi Was Telling the King
Just as Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, the woman whose son Elisha had brought back to life came to beg the king for her house and land (2 Kings 8:5a NIV).
It is all about divine timing! When people of the world strain and strive to make … Read the rest
Even If, Could This Happen?
Look, even if the Lord should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen? (2 Kings 7:2b NIV).
Here is an example of a man who can’t believe good news. Such people are so much influenced by the negative circumstances that they can’t believe that God is bringing good out of it even when … Read the rest
Can God Spread a Table in the Desert?
They spoke against God saying, “Can God spread a table in the desert?” (Psalm 78:19 NIV).
Can God? This is a question that many ask even today. When such a question is asked man tries to think in terms of his own limitation. And not in terms of God’s limitless possibilities and infinite wisdom and … Read the rest
Egypt Will No Longer Be a Source of Confidence
Egypt will no longer be a source of confidence for the people of Israel but will be a reminder of their sin in turning to her for help (Ezekiel 29:16a NIV)
God sets reminders in our lives. They are needed to remind us of our folly in not putting our confidence fully in God.
If … Read the rest
So He Did What the Lord Had Told Him
So he did what the Lord had told him (1 Kings 17:5a NIV).
God will provide. Even though it is true, there is more to be said about it. God’s provision becomes visible and reachable to those who do what the Lord tells them to do.
Let us look at Elijah. He was a mighty … Read the rest
You Have Too Many Men
The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her … (Judges 7:2 NIV).
The world has great confidence in numbers. So they have coined terms like “vast majority,” “overwhelming majority,” … Read the rest
The Lord Became Angry with Solomon, Appeared Twice
The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice (1 Kings 11:9 NIV).
The Lord can become angry. He can get angry when there is disobedience. But why angry with Solomon? Was he not one who was blessed with … Read the rest
Exhausted, Yet Keeping Up the Pursuit
Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it (Judges 8:4 NIV).
Here the pursuit of enemies and oppressors are described. In the process of pursuit Gideon and his men became exhausted. But there was more.
They had to face criticism from their own countrymen. … Read the rest
A Bruised Reed, A Smoldering Wick
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out (Isaiah 42:3a NIV).
“Will God forsake me?” This cry shakes a Christian when sin, doubt, failure or discouragement comes to his life. And God’s answer points to His servant Jesus whose character is portrayed here.
He does not try … Read the rest
My Presence Will Go with You, Give You Rest
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14 NIV).
When you have an intense desire to know God, He promises to bless you with His Presence. This enables you to have continual favor with God.
And the Presence of God with you is the most unmistakable … Read the rest
The Lord Gave Them Rest on Every Side
The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers (Joshua 21:44a NIV).
God promises rest to His children. This is far greater than physical rest. Though physical rest is sweet, what God promises has deeper and more significant meanings. It is rest on every side: that is, comprehensive, … Read the rest
Delight in the Lord, He Will Give Desires of Your Heart
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4 NIV).
This is a bold promise from God’s Word. It talks about our desires. We all have desires in life. But we often doubt whether they will be fulfilled.
One reason for the doubt is the wrong nature … Read the rest
As You Hear the Sound of Marching, Move Quickly
As soon as you hear the sound of the marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army (2 Samuel 5:24 NIV).
God signals to you. This is your time to move. Do that quickly. For … Read the rest