But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Matthew 13:22 REFERENCE Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 This parable of the sower reveals the place of the heart whenever God’s Word is taught. It is the heart that receives the Word; consequently, the condition of your heart will determine how much benefit you get from the Word. As revealed in the parable, if you receive the Word casually and not meditate or mix it with faith, the enemy can easily...
“And the king of Israel said to his servants, “Do you know that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, but we hesitate to take it out of the hand of the king of Syria?” ~ I Kings 22:3 REFERENCE I Kings 22:1-3 There are certain noteworthy keywords/phrases in today’s focal verse – “Do you know?”, “Is ours” “We hesitate” and “Take it.” These are all important if we must walk in the fullness of God’s blessings and plans for us. God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ. However, we often live short of this ideal. How...
“Syria and Israel continued without war for three years.” ~ I Kings 22:1 REFERENCE I Kings 22:1-3 Our text begins with a 3-year period of peace and a cessation of military campaigns between two nations. You may think that this is a good state to be in, but when you consider that life is a contest, you may rethink your position. As beautiful as this picture is, it suggests that Israel was quiet, making no claim or demand for anything. It also shows that they were undertaking nothing. That is, not embarking on any worthwhile project. Such a state can...
Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. Matthew 14:22 REFERENCE Matthew 14:22-32 The first thing you notice in this passage is the fact that Jesus made His disciples get into a boat heading to a particular destination. We can thus conclude that the disciples were on an assignment for God and consequently, were in the will of God. However, their journey was interrupted by the waves and contrary winds that confronted them headlong. This clearly shows that the journey of life is not always smooth sailing...
And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Matthew 25:15 REFERENCE Matthew 25:14-30 The first thing that strikes you about this parable is the ‘seeming imbalance’ in the way the master shared the talents amongst these servants; it looks almost unfair, but in his foreknowledge, he did it according to each person’s ability. Like the master in this story, God gives us talents in proportion to our abilities; these talents can be likened to our God-given gifts. Both servants with...
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8 REFERENCE Joshua 1:8 “When in Rome, do as the Romans do!” This popular saying captures an important truth about life and living. There are rules and ways of behavior common to every home, organization or even nation. To survive and thrive in them, wise people follow these rules. They conduct...
For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my EARNEST EXPECTATION and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed… Philippians 1:19-20 REFERENCE Philippians 1:19-20 Paul shows us the secret of his joy in prison as he wrote the book of Philippians with many exhortations to be joyful and thankful. That secret is seen in our text – He had an earnest expectation. He knew things would turn around, that things wouldn’t always be the same, that what he was going through was not his...
For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles. Acts 4:36-37 (NLT) REFERENCE Acts 4: 32-37 (NLT) How does it feel to get an award or to be rewarded for something you have done well? How does it feel to be recognized for every effort you put into doing the right thing? How will you feel if every day, everybody around you said good things to you? Today,...
“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19 REFERENCE Isaiah 43:16-21 There is nothing like beginning something you have always dreamt about. God loves beginnings because beginnings speak of faith- a journey into the unknown; because you must conquer the fear of ‘what if it goes wrong before you begin anything. Though we are nearly halfway through the year, you could be considering having a fresh start in some areas of your...
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) REFERENCE Jeremiah 29:11 After man fell in the Garden of Eden, Jesus came to reinstate him into God’s original plan. If God went to the extent of sacrificing His only Son just to achieve this, you can without a doubt flourish (succeed) in every area of your life as a believer, purchased by the blood of Jesus. So you don’t have to settle for failure (John 10:10b). Good...