“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” – Psalm 150:6 REFERENCE: Psalm 150:1-6 We often ignore the greatest gift God has given us: life itself. This season of Thanksgiving, I want to remind you that the greatest reason for Thanksgiving is not because you have but because you are. We find it difficult to thank God because we get occupied by unpaid bills, unanswered prayers, unmet deadlines, broken relationships, and unfulfilled dreams. Many of us are guilty of being preoccupied by the seemingly unfair events around us; we envy our friends’ perceived better lives and worry about how...
"But you, O Lord, are a merciful and loving God, always patient, always kind and faithful." Psalms 86:15 REFERENCE: Psalm 86:15-17 People call many things or men 'gods,' but only one God exists. I learned early as a believer that the qualities in our main verse distinguish God from every other God. We may find these qualities in parts of whatever people worship, but only in the Almighty God do you find them all wrapped up in one. This is why He is the unequaled God. When you know the character of someone, you can predict how they...
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." ~ Philippians 4:13 REFERENCE: Philippians 4:10-13 Recently, God has been telling me to live from inside out and not outside in; in other words, I should not let circumstances condition my response, but I should determine what I want to see, drawing from the Christ in me. Paul said that with Christ, you have the strength to overcome challenges and become all that God has designed you to be. Let us go on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment through faith in Christ Jesus. You have what it takes;...
"Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!" ~ Psalm 27:14 REFERENCE: Psalm 27:10-14 I remember the excitement of learning about the germination of seeds as a young kid in science class. Our teacher told us to plant a bean seed in a tin filled with soil. It takes a particular time for the germination, but the curiosity and impatience of youth got the better of me. I woke up every morning to scoop out the soil, wondering how long it would take to sprout. Sadly, it...
“For He will deliver the needy when he cries, the poor also, and him who has no helper.” ~ Psalm 72:12 REFERENCE: Psalm 72:12-14 Satan’s most fatal arrow against the Christian is to convince him that God is against him or has abandoned him, especially in his time of pain and need. Just imagine the life of a young orphan. Jesus often assured His disciples – “I will not leave you as orphans” – because the feeling of abandonment is devastating to one’s destiny. God wants you to know that He is mindful of you. Satan wants you to...
“But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:20 REFERENCE: Matthew 1:18-25 The rumor is going around town. Mary is pregnant and is hiding it from Joseph. After many side talks, Mary tells Joseph. He is flustered, angry, indignant, and feeling cheated. He wonders who can be responsible for this pregnancy as he scans through all the men in...
"For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." ~ Psalm 30:5 REFERENCE: Psalm 30:1-5 Are you going through a stormy experience? Are you fighting a battle for identity or legitimacy, to keep your business afloat, victory over an illness, or going through a stormy marital situation? Do you tire of trying to achieve your goals and make ends meet? Our main text captures the promise that joy and calmness will follow no matter how fierce your present storm is. The disciples of...
And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." ~ John 1:5 REFERENCE: John 1:1-5 We live in a world where we experience the power of darkness now and again. This powerful verse serves as a beacon of hope, assuring us that God's light pierces through even the deepest darkness. Satan may rage, storms may rise, and troubles may come, but anchor your heart in the comforting truth that God's light shines through even in the darkest times. Be comforted. God's light is a constant that never goes dim in the face of life's...
“For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.” ~ Jeremiah 29:10 REFERENCE: Jeremiah 29:10-14 Time is one great gift that God has given to man. Time has helped man to plan, set goals, and make appointments, and it has been exchanged for money severally. Man can achieve much and become anything he sets his heart to do with time and in time. However, time is one of man’s greatest sources of frustration because he cannot hasten,...
“Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord?” ~ Acts 5:9 REFERENCE: Acts 5:1-11 As we bring our discussion about this flashy couple to an end, a sad commentary is the unholy agreement they made to defraud the church and to lie against God. Marriage is honorable among all, and spouses are meant to be helpers and a voice of reason. Blessed is the man whose wife is an Abigail and not a Delilah and the woman whose husband is a Boaz and not a Nabal. Throughout...