Start Praying Now

The simplest step of prayer is the most neglected one. That one single step is to start to pray. Planning to pray might not work. Finding the right moment to pray might delay the first step by years. The best thing is to pray now.

But if you find it difficult you need to ask … Read the rest

As They Pass Through the Valley of Baca

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion (Psalm 84:5–7 NIV).

The … Read the rest

Though that Was Shorter

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt” (Exodus 13:17 NIV).

The shorter route is not the best one always. In God’s eyes the shorter … Read the rest

He Will Not Falter or Be Discouraged

He will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on the earth (Isaiah 42:4a NIV).

With the Servant of the Lord, there is constancy to purpose. He has a purpose to accomplish on earth. And His entire focus is on the achievement of the same: It is to establish justice on the earth. … 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

Before They Call I Will Answer

Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24 NIV).

Have you ever felt that the sky is like a bronze shield preventing your prayers from reaching heaven?

Have you ever felt that your prayers are falling into empty nothingness; reaching nowhere?

Have you ever felt no joy … Read the rest

Do Not Bury Me in Egypt

Do not bury me in Egypt, but when I rest with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried (Genesis 47:29z, 30a NIV).

Jacob has given us a great example in his dying moments. He is looking ahead in expectation. Though now in circumstances not of his choosing, he … Read the rest

Did Not Draw Back the Hand, Until

For Joshua did not draw back the hand that held out his javelin until he had destroyed all who lived in Ai (Joshua 8:26 NIV).

This was crucial. Because they had been defeated in the previous battle against Ai. Then God had shown them the cause of defeat as sin in their midst. They then … Read the rest

Be Strong and Do Not Give Up

But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded (2 Chronicles 15:7 NIV).

There is no man of God who has not experienced discouragement in his work. It sometimes comes in unexpectedly. It plunges a man into the valley of despair and doubt as no other thing … Read the rest

Joseph in Prison

When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger. Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined (Genesis 39:19,20 NIV).

Resisting temptation does not automatically bring praise or rewards to you. In fact, … Read the rest

God Acts for Those Who Wait

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

Stages of Christian Growth

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