“Abraham, when hope was dead within him, went on hoping in faith, believing that he would become “the father of many nations.” He relied on the word of God which definitely referred to ‘your descendants’.” Romans 4:18 (PHILLIPS) REFERENCE Romans 4:18-22 (PHILLIPS) Faith is the power that brings the world to its knees. Where faith is at work, everything works. Every reasonable cause for Abraham to hope was gone. Yet, in faith, he kept on hoping; what an expression of faith! He could have given up on God, saying His promises were untrue, or He has favorites, but not Abraham....
“He said, Bring me a new bowl and put salt [the symbol of God’s purifying power] in it. And they brought it to him.” – 2 Kings 2:19. REFERENCE: 2 KINGS 2:19-22 God has strategically placed His children everywhere in this world to do His word and will at all times. They are to sweeten bitter spirits, make barren souls fruitful, and better their community. Their lives are to be an aroma of life and hope, leading a dying world away from error unto God, the Father of all. Elisha asked the elders of Jericho, “Bring me a...
“Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Please notice, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the ground barren.” – 2 Kings 2:19. REFERENCE: 2 KINGS 2:19-22 The ruins of Jericho were cursed by Joshua (I Kings 16:34) to ensure the city was never rebuilt. Now it appears that although Jericho had been rebuilt and is beautiful, some invisible powers were making it produce contrary to its potential. Hence, the elders went to Elisha to inform him that although they lived in a beautiful environment, the...
“Please run now to meet her, and say to her, ‘Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?’ ” And she answered, “It is well.” ~ II Kings 4:26 REFERENCE: II Kings 4:17-37 You often hear people mouth the phrase, “It is well", just in about any situation they find themselves. I was one of those who concluded that the phrase had become a cliché and would not often want to ‘parrot’ it until I was praying recently, and it bubbled forth in my spirit. The woman in our text...
“So, Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.” – Mark 11:22 REFERENCE: Mark 11:20-24 “Have faith in God,” Jesus said. That may be one of His most profound admonitions to His saints because a life of faith is a life of possibility, as we see in Jesus Himself. God designed you to live by faith because it makes up for our human limitations. We are not omniscient, omnipotent, or omnipresent; however, we can achieve things beyond our human ability by faith. By faith, Jesus made a fig tree to wither overnight. The original reading of our...
“This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.” ~ Colossians 4:18 REFERENCE: Colossians 4:14-18 Paul, in chains, concluded his letter to the Colossians with greetings from some of his co-laborers. He also recognized and greeted some saints in the church, charging young Archippus to pay attention to his ministry and to ensure that he executed it well. However, Paul found it necessary to end the letter with a charge to these believers: “REMEMBER MY CHAINS.” Paul must have felt the sting of being forgotten by friends and loved ones when going through tough...
“Therefore, say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD God: ‘None of My words will be postponed any more, but the words which I speak will be done,” says the LORD God.” – Ezekiel 12:28 REFERENCE: Ezekiel 12:26-28 In Old Testament times, God spoke through His prophets; they were His mouthpieces, and when they spoke, it was as though God Himself had spoken. No wonder the Bible says, “Believe in the Lord your God, you will be established; believe in His prophets, and you will prosper” (II Chronicles 20:20). In this verse, God and the prophets seem to be on the same...
“And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.” ~ Acts 27:22 REFERENCE: Acts 27:18-26 It is said, “As long as there is life, there is hope.” Life is the most precious of the gifts God gave to man because you cannot benefit from other gifts without it. The worst the devil can do to a man on a mission is to cut his life short so that he will not reach his destination; for as long as he has life, he will arrive, although he...
“And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.” ~ Genesis 41:15 REFERENCE: Genesis 41:9-15 What would abruptly end the jail term of a common prisoner and bring him before the leader of a great nation so that he could engage him in a conversation? Recommendation. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have heard it said of you;” this turned his life around. The butler benefitted from Joseph and his gifts while in the same prison and...
“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: 1 Kings 17:8-16 Have you ever been in a place where you think you need all the help you can get, but you sense God is asking you to help someone in need or for His kingdom work? You wonder why God would ask you when He knows your current challenges and desires. You fail to see that God never does anything to shortchange you; never! IT IS A SETUP. It...