"God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble." ~ Psalm 46:1 REFERENCE: Psalm 46:1-11 No matter who you are or how rich you are, we do not want trouble. Trouble can turn kings into beggars and make strong men cry. It has broken families, drained their resources, and left them impoverished. Trouble is whatever gets you worried or agitated; it brings distress, inconvenience, anxiety, fear, and discouragement. However, God is our present help in trouble. I have been in situations where I was confused and fearful, times when I thought I would not see the...
“And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].” ~ II Corinthians 9:8 (AMPC) REFERENCE: II Corinthians 9:7-9 (AMPC) I love this main verse because it begins by saying, “God is able to...” It introduces God as having the ability to do, make, give, transform, heal, etc. Paul further says that God can make all grace...
"Be still, and know that I am God…" ~ Psalm 46:10 REFERENCE: Psalm 46:1-11 Trusting in God's plan and provision can be tough in times of uncertainty. But trying times come to test and refine our faith. The secret to finding strength in uncertain times is relying on God's faithfulness and the assurance we have when we place our trust in Him. World events may scare us, but our anchor remains secure in His unchanging love and faithfulness. God said, "Be still, and know that I am God." It is God's call to us in times of uncertainty....
“…Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me… 14 For thus says the Lord… ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’ ”” ~ I Kings 17:13-14 REFERENCE: I Kings 17:8-16 What Elijah did would have made headlines in modern newspapers: “Itinerant Prophet defrauds poor widow of her meager resource” or “Fake pastor cons helpless widow.” How do you go to a poor widow...
“Then the Lord said to Joshua, ‘stretch out the spear that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand.’ And Joshua stretched out the spear that was in his hand toward the city.” ~ Joshua 8:18 REFERENCE: Joshua 8:14-20 There are things God wants you to have in life that you may not have because you have not been able to reach out in faith to receive them. Faith demonstrates to God your absolute conviction that He will do what He says He will, your expectation to receive your desire, and your willingness...
“He who scatters has come up before your face. Man the fort! Watch the road! Strengthen your flanks! Fortify your power mightily.” – Nahum 2:2 REFERENCE: Nahum 2:1-6 In our text, God warns Nineveh that ‘he who scatters’ had come and that they should man the fort, watch the road, strengthen their flanks, and fortify themselves. Today, it is a call to us to be alert and ready to fight back when life throws you into situations that steal from you and drain you. It is a call to vigilance because if you don’t, life can rob you of...
"And Nathaniel said to him, 'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?' Philip said to him, 'Come and see.'" – John 1:46 REFERENCE: John 1:43-50 Nazareth was a small, obscure village that became famous because it was the hometown of Jesus. It had an estimated population of about 200 to 400 people. Everyone knew everyone by name (in such villages). Jesus grew up, and he went there first when He began his public ministry. No wonder Nathaniel did not expect any good from Nazareth when he heard about a Savior from Nazareth, so he doubted. However, he would yet...
“So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days.” – 1 Kings 17:15 REFERENCE: I Kings 17:8-16 Faith is one concept in the bible that makes those who act in faith appear crazy or foolish. Faith believes in a God it does not see and acts in ways that do not make logical sense. Faith made childless Abram change his name to Abraham (father of nations), and Peter walk on water. It takes crazy faith to live a life that pleases God because He will...
"Our God is the God of salvation; And to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death." – Psalm 68:20 If you cannot thank God for what you received, thank Him for what you escaped. If God opened our eyes to see the many unseen evils He protects us from or the many plans in the enemy's mind restrained from hatching, thanksgiving would not be difficult. David made this statement after escaping two assassination attempts and living as a fugitive for years. I often imagine that while some thieves plan a heist, God keeps the thoughts of my street or...
“Then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.” ~ Deuteronomy 8:17 REFERENCE: Deuteronomy 8:7-18 Albert Einstein said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” At this halfway mark of the year, it is possible to look back and fail to see the invisible hand of God in sustaining and bringing you to this point. You can look at things you achieved, the money you made, exams you passed, deals...