And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. Acts 3:2-3 REFERENCE Acts 3:1-9 The beggar in this account was born with a limitation; he was limited by his lameness because he couldn’t do things for himself. He relied on others to carry him and wherever they kept him was where he remained; that put him on a perpetual lockdown. Although...
And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, ‘He told me all that I ever did.’ John 4:39 REFERENCE John 4:5-19, & 39-42 This passage introduces us to a woman who may have been suffering from low self-esteem, rejection, and shame. She has not had very good experiences in her relationships with the opposite sex. The fact that she went to the well in the hot oriental afternoon (when most people reclined in the shade of their homes), lends credence to the theory that she could be avoiding...
A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Proverbs 18:20 REFERENCE Proverbs 18:6-8, & 20-21 Our text reveals a mystery which shows that so much of what happens in our lives depends on what happens with our mouths. We therefore cannot live victorious Christian lives without taking control of the mouth. When God made man and breathed the breath of life into Him, Genesis 2:7 says, “…and man became a ‘living being.’” The Targum Onkelos, an ancient Aramaic translation says ‘…and man became ANOTHER speaking spirit.’ Man became...
“A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.” ~ John 16:21 REFERENCE John 16:19-24 EDD in medical parlance is a term used to describe the Expected Delivery Date of a pregnant woman. With every pregnancy, there is a due date the child is supposed to be birthed. Likewise, if you are ‘pregnant’ with dreams, businesses, ideas, a ministry, aspirations, or a promise from God’s Word,...
For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest…’” Hebrews 4:3 REFERENCE Hebrews 4:1-7 The most vital thing you can do with the Word God has given you at any point in your walk with Him is to rest in it. How do you do that? By believing in the efficacy of the Word and in the integrity of Him who promised, and ceasing from all worry, anxiety, and fear. The writer of the book of Hebrews charged the children of Israel with a fault;...
Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. Ephesians 5:1 Ephesians 5:1 (AMPC) REFERENCE Ephesians 5:1-7 (AMPC) “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” is a term used to describe a child that exhibits similar character, similar qualities, or imitates his/her parents. To imitate someone is to behave or copy the way the person behaves. Paul in this passage admonishes believers to be imitators of God by following His example; i.e. to be similar to Him in speech, deeds, and in character, so what He represents becomes second nature to...
And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Deuteronomy 8:18 REFERENCE Deuteronomy 8:11-18 If you must rise above the present financial situation in the world, you must make God your source. You must look beyond your salary, your connection, your shop, your business, your organization, etc. All these are avenues for God to connect with you but God is not limited to them and cannot be limited by them in keeping you above and beyond the status quo. God declares here...
“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22 REFERENCE Genesis 8:13-22 In life, there will be winter and summer, and there will be day and night. These changes in season speak of good times and bad times; therefore we must be alert in the good times and take advantage of them in order to sail through the toughest of times. God gave Noah the promise shown in today’s text, after the earth’s complete destruction by water. He was saying to Noah, ‘Look! You can start over with the seeds in your hand and create...
…For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. Romans 6:19 REFERENCE Romans 6:18-22 A call to a deeper walk with God! Paul here is subtly advising Christians that the way we lived in the world, such that we had no regard, respect, nor consideration for the things of God and the things of the spirit, we should flip that in a positive way now that we are in Christ, and we should live in such a way that we have...
Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” John 5:8 REFERENCE John 5:1-9 “Rise, take up your bed…walk.” What a strange command to give to a 38-year long paralytic. However, this divine word became the vehicle of divine power. This man was commanded to do what he couldn’t - to make an attempt to rise and walk. And as he did, he received strength to do it. Strength is imparted by the Word of God! What would have happened if the man had reasoned out the fact that he hadn’t walked for 38 years and became afraid...