"In those days they shall say no more: 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes, And the children's teeth are set on edge.'" ~ Jeremiah 31:29 REFERENCE: Jeremiah 31:23-30 Our reference scripture gives a note of hope to a people who have suffered for the sins of many generations and have been sent into exile and captivity. God promised restoration, prosperity, agricultural excellence, and all-round comfort. This promise was a pivot upon which their story changed – from captivity, bondage, slavery, etc., to freedom and welfare. God told them that their painful experience resulted from their fathers' sins, but no more. ...
“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 Each man has received something from God; He cheats no one and sends no one empty. As in the parable, it may seem unfair that one has five, another two, and another one, but God gives each according to His ability. The good thing is that He will not also judge or require from each one more than He gave them. The difference is what...
“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” ~Philippians 4:12-13 REFERENCE: Philippians 4:12-19 God did not make you from leftover material. He made you in His image and of the finest stock. You are fearfully and perfectly made – a unique work of God’s genius, created specially by God for a special purpose. You are a partaker of God’s nature, full of...
"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Scripture Reference: Psalm 27:14 (NIV) - Life's road often seems long and winding, and the challenges appear insurmountable. At such times, there is an increased temptation to throw in the towel and to give up on our dreams and God's promises. However, our anchor of hope lies in the assurance that God is faithful and His promises are unshakable. When you encounter trials, don't give up; remember that God is always working behind the scenes, orchestrating the fulfillment of His plans for you. Trials...
"Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." ~ John 20:29 REFERENCE: John 20:24-29 In His omniscience, Jesus used the exact words Thomas used in His absence – "Unless I see…put my finger and hand…" Although physically absent, Jesus' spirit was there when Thomas spoke. He used Thomas' exact words to convict him of his unbelief and hardness of heart; by this, Thomas would know that He was the Lord, having accurately discerned his inner thoughts. The displeasure of Jesus with Thomas was his...
“God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity…” ~ Psalm 68:6 REFERENCE: Psalm 68:3-6 There is a myth about a particular warrior Grecian tribe who killed children born with deformity or inability because they could not stand having a weakling among their tribe. The law of natural selection also shows that weaker species of animals will die because they cannot adapt to their environment, while the stronger ones will reproduce. However, God cares for the weak. The Psalmist in our text exhorts the saints to be glad and to rejoice exceedingly....
“When Elisha came into the house, there was the child, lying dead on his bed. He went in therefore, shut the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the Lord.” II Kings 4:32&33 REFERENCE: II Kings 4:32-43 “Surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secret to His servants, the prophets .” (Amos 3:7). God places great value on His prophets (ministers) and often uses them as vessels through which He communicates His mind, teaches His word, and manifests His works amongst men. All through scripture, God speaks glowingly about them, save in cases where they...
“So, he said, “Call her.” When he had called her, she stood in the doorway. Then he said, “About this time next year, you shall embrace a son.” ~ II Kings 4:15-16 REFERENCE: II Kings 4:8-17 The woman at Shunem dared to identify with Elisha in his needs and supplied his needs the best way she could. While she did this, she had her personal needs – she had been married for many years without a child. Her culture and times considered this a curse or displeasure of God. She pled with her husband that they should be a...
“And she said to her husband, “Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly. 10 Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall, and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so, it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there.” ~ II Kings 4:9-10 REFERENCE: II Kings 41-10 Who pays a prophet’s wage? When a servant of God has given himself to the work of ministry, putting the needs of others above...
"So, Elisha said to her, "What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?" And she said, "Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil." ~ II Kings 4:1 REFERENCE: II Kings 4:1-10 Imagine with me the extremities the prophet's widow has been plunged into by the so much debt her husband left her with. Things got so bad that she was left with just a bottle of oil in her house, and her sons were about to be taken as payment for her 'inherited' debt. How were they...