Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and… they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. ~ Acts 14:19-20 REFERENCE Acts 14:8-24 Paul experienced ‘supernatural restoration’ after being stoned because people of faith gathered around him – people of his own company. Paul probably wouldn’t have survived the ill-treatment meted out to him by the Jews if not for those disciples that rallied around him and made sure he got back on his feet again. Indeed, the...
Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. - Isaiah 60:1 REFERENCE Isaiah 60:1-3 Looking at all the darkness (wars, lack, insecurity, joblessness, failed relationships, wickedness, etc.), in the world today, it is safe to say that Isaiah’s prophecy is already taking place right before our eyes. However, there is an assurance in this prophecy for the believer; which is, “The Lord will arise over you and His glory shall be seen all over you.” This means that, regardless of the darkness that covers the earth or the deep darkness...
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. Mark 16:17-18 REFERENCE Mark 16:17-20 It is the plan of God that every Christian walks in the supernatural, that your life is lived beyond the natural and elementary order. He wants you to live as a carrier of His power so you can bring remedy to hopeless situations, and shine His...
And afterward, he read all the words of the law, the blessings and the cursings, according to all that is written in the Book of the Law. - Joshua 8:34 REFERENCE Joshua 8:14-34 Joshua was a complete leader, after leading the people to victory in war; he still read to them the Scriptures, admonishing them to commit their lives to the Word of God. I believe this enabled him to carry the people along, it made him earn their respect and made the people realize that God was behind him, thus, following him meant following God. This must have...
Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Luke 17:17-18 REFERENCE Luke 17:11-19 Towards the end of each year, people (especially Christians) in different parts of the world make time to offer thanksgiving to God, thanking and celebrating Him for their good fortunes, and all He has brought them through. This is indeed a noble cause and quite commendable because even the bible in I Thessalonians 5:18 admonishes us to give thanks to God in all circumstances because that is the will of God for us. To not thank...
But Ruth said: ‘Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die…’ Ruth1:16-17 REFERENCE Ruth: 1:1-18 What prompted Ruth to make the above statement to Naomi her mother in-law after the death of her husband? It was quite obvious that there were no prospects for her in the strange land she pleaded to go, she would be among strangers, and more, still serve a foreign...
So Jesus answered and said to him, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ The blind man said to Him; ‘Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.’ Mark 10:51 REFERENCE Mark 10:46-52 Prioritizing your desires will help you focus your faith on what you really need in life. As seen from today’s passage, it is not as if Jesus didn’t know this beggar’s condition when He asked him so abruptly what he would have Him do. It must have been because He desired him to fasten his faith upon one chief object of supreme desire. Bartimaeus’ needs must have...
Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age...” - Ruth 4:14-15 REFERENCE Ruth 4:13-17 It is often a relief to finally hear a good report about someone who has had a series of misfortunes in their life. This was the case with Naomi in this account; the women of the town came to celebrate with her because the Lord blessed her with an experience (daughter-in-law, Boaz, and...
"(Now the man Moses was very humble (gentle, kind, devoid of self-righteousness), more than any man who was on the face of the earth.)" Numbers 12:3 (AMP) REFERENCE Numbers: 12:1-13 (AMP) Humility is a virtue that most of us don’t naturally possess, but are unwilling to admit. We often think that pride is only about looking down on people, dishing out orders and refusing to be ordered around, but, no so. Whenever we resist the Spirit of God and insist on our own way, we are prideful. Also, when we resist or oppose God’s constituted authority over our lives, we...
Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:12-13 REFERENCE Hebrews 3:7-15 To exhort someone means to strongly urge, encourage, appeal or advise them to do or refrain from doing something. Here, believers are admonished to daily exhort one another in order to avoid cracks that would lead to departing from the living God. Satan’s secret strategy against believers is the subtle deception of sin…a feeling...