We are saved by the grace of our Lord Jesus (Acts 15:11). What does this mean?
First of all it means that our salvation does not depend on anything else like our family heritage, church traditions, our good living or works of charity (see Ephesians 2:7–9). Our salvation is God-given as a gift. You can … Read the rest
Repent and live (Ezekiel 18:32)!
What is our understanding of repentance? Usually, it is sinning and then telling God “I am sorry.” Maybe we add “I will never do it again Lord.”
But you know very well in your heart that it is not the repentance the Bible talks about.
First of all you should … Read the rest
He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD (2 Chronicles 12:14).
Seeking God does not happen automatically or by chance. It is a deliberate effort you take. The absence of such an effort can allow a vacuum in your heart which makes it easy for you slip into evil.… Read the rest
Following the death and resurrection of Jesus his name began to impact people. Even today it does with the same dynamite power. Jesus! What does his name mean to you?
First of all the Bible declares that the name of Jesus is the only name given under heaven by which people will be saved (Acts … Read the rest
So many youngsters are worried about finding God’s will. In today’s world they are more in confusion about right sexual conduct.
The Bible speaks about this in very clear terms.
Flee.
That means run away from sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18, 2 Tim 2:22). So do not stay in a place, situation or in front … Read the rest
Being confident in God is a great thing. If you can sustain that confidence even into your sunset years it is still greater.
The Bible showcases for us Caleb who had an unwavering confidence in God. He and Joshua were the only two who crossed into Canaan from their generation.
After reaching the land of … Read the rest
If you trust in God be assured that exaltation comes from God. This is especially true when God promotes you to leadership.
God told Joshua that he will exalt him (Joshua 3:7). Then God exalted him (Joshua 4:14).
But what happened in between? Did Joshua have any role to play? The answer is yes.
He … Read the rest
All that was needed was a word from Jesus. The man took Jesus at his word and left (John 4:50). This is the story of great faith we all can attempt to follow.
In this story we have a royal official seeking out Jesus for the healing of his son who was dying. This man … Read the rest
Jesus sent us another helper. Just like him. The Holy Spirit.
+ He is the one who makes God’s presence and love real in our lives.
+ He is the one called alongside to help. That is what his name parakletos (in Greek) means.
+ He is the one who not only authored the Scriptures … Read the rest
Honestly, how many of us take Jesus’ command “Do not worry” seriously? If we are not taking it seriously it means that our relationship with him has to improve. We need to spend more quality time with God.
Remember Jesus did not worry because he took time to be with God everyday. The more public … Read the rest
Sometimes your stand for God and truth can put you in trouble. Can there be a higher purpose in such suffering?
Let us look at Jeremiah. He was put in a mud pit for his message of coming judgement (Jeremiah 38:6). He cried out to God (Lamentations 3:55–57).
It was a foreigner, a Cushite, whose … Read the rest
You might not get another chance. So grab this opportunity. Forget about what others say. Cry out, because Jesus of Nazareth is passing by (Luke 18:37).
Others who are not so desperate as you; others who are already walking along with him might tell you to shut up. Oh, don’t commit that mistake, for Jesus … Read the rest
“Follow me.” Jesus is calling you.
He is calling you to himself. Most people fear what he is going to ask them to do. The truth is that when you truly follow him you will find joy in doing what he wants you to do.
“Follow me.”
Jesus is calling you to die (Luke 9:23, … Read the rest
Did you miss something this Christmas?
We’re not talking about gifts or money or even keys you tend to misplace. The one thing that leaves a bad taste in the mouth is the question, “What was it all about?” There were Christmas trees, stars, cakes, gifts and Santa Claus.
But the one thing–the most important … Read the rest
Where is your eye today? Is it on money, fame, power, or on a friend?
Know that your steps are going to be in the direction of where your eyes are hooked to. To get best results, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2). Not just to find help. But more to think … Read the rest
Trust in God is one sure way to fight despair.
Here are certain promises that God has made which can give you a sure reason to hope when your heart is ready to worry in despair.
When people close to you forget you, forsake you or reject you!
“Can a mother forget the baby at … Read the rest
What is your response when doors of opportunity are all closed?
Do you despair?
Or do you trust God to create opportunities for you?
Trusting God seems old–fashioned. It also will look like evasion of responsibility. But to those who dare to dream and to achieve, God is an active player in the game.
First … Read the rest
Come into His Presence
Prayer is talking to God. Therefore the first thing to do is to come into his presence. The Bible clearly tells us that we have right of entry to the throne of grace by the precious blood of Jesus. So first ask Jesus to wash you with his precious blood even … Read the rest
All of us are curious as how it all began. John’s answer is simple and direct. “In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, the Word was God.” The Word is how John describes the wisdom and power of God, who is none other than Jesus.
The Word is full of majesty … Read the rest
Stop brooding over that lost opportunity; for it is time to move on. A closed door in life might be a symbol of rejection; but it should never become a chain that binds you to yesterday’s failures or triumphs. Leave them behind.
Often our strength is wasted in trying to knock at closed doors in … Read the rest
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles.”
The Eagle as a Sign of Renewal
The eagle is a bird that undergoes a lot of change in its early years. Even as it matures its feathers change colour to indicate its growth.
This process … Read the rest
1. No failure is final if we can honestly say “Yes” to God’s probing question, “Do you truly love me?”
2. Wisdom and power belongs to God. All show of power on earth will ultimately bow before his Majesty.
3. God loves a cheerful giver. Those who give in plenty are those who live without … Read the rest
A stone pillow seems unlikely to yield a dream. But a man who was journeying did have a dream while he rested his head on it when the sun had set. He saw a stairway resting on the earth with its top reaching to heaven. The angels of God were going up and down on … Read the rest
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.”
This is how Paul began his short and poetic sketch of true love.
Gongs remind us of our school days when it was used as a bell and cymbals remind … Read the rest
Just because someone close to you sinned against the Lord doesn’t mean that you should continue in that wrong path. The Scriptures give us the example of King Hezekiah. It is recorded that “He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him” (2 Kings 18:7b). But as we look at Chapter … Read the rest
Are you in darkness today? There is a word of encouragement from God for you: “Even in darkness light dawns for the upright.” (Psalm 112).
This a precious promise. One occasion you can recall is when God brought darkness in all the land of Egypt. During that time there was light in Goshen, the region … Read the rest
No one who reads the Bible will miss David. He has influenced Jewish and Christian world alike in a big way. Many times when evil kings ruled the land and rebelled against God, the one factor that kept God from destroying them completely was David. See for example,
What made David so special? He … Read the rest
There is a time and opportunity that will come in your life when you have got to stand for God. Phinehas was one such person. When the Israelites sinned against God by committing sexual immorality with Moabites, he stood up and killed a man and woman who were openly doing it.
It was a … Read the rest
A place of blessing is no reason why you should continue there for ever. God often signals to you through different means and methods to let you know that you should go to a new place or sphere of work. As you look at how God dealt with Jacob as he was with Laban, … Read the rest
God is incomparably holy. The holiness of God is what sets apart our God from all others. We simply cannot imagine the glory and majesty of God’s holiness. So what does God’s holiness mean to you today?
First of all, a true meeting with God immediately shocks you with his holiness. It was true … Read the rest
