“Also let the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple which is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and taken back to the temple which is in Jerusalem, each to its place; and deposit them in the house of God” Ezra 6:5 REFERENCE Ezra 6:1-12 The prelude to this account started when King Cyrus gave the command for the captive Jews in Babylon to return to their land to rebuild the city and the temple of God. After his death, Darius became king and some enemies of the Jews wrote a protest letter to him to stop the Jews...

For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. - Philippians 1:23   REFERENCE Philippians 1:21-23 Death is one of the grim realities we all have to deal with at some point in this life – of a friend or family member or a colleague. It is important that we get a proper understanding of what God’s Word says about our response to it as believers, hence today’s devotional. It is always a painful experience when we lose a loved one to death because of the void their departure...

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6 REFERENCE Romans 5:5-11 God loves people. That is why He gave His ONLY begotten Son to die for man. And it was while we were yet sinners that God took this ‘risk’. He doesn’t give up easily on anybody…remember how the Spirit wooed you for salvation? This must mean that there is something God sees in man - even in the worst of us - that makes Him hopeful that the best of us can come out from the worst of us. God...

For it shall come to pass in that day; says the Lord of hosts, ‘that I will break his yoke from your neck, and will burst your bonds; foreigners shall no more enslave them.’  Jeremiah 30:8 REFERENCE Jeremiah 30:1-10 It is not God’s will for His children to labor under any influence that enslaves them and renders them powerless; rather His will is for His children to be free to serve Him alone. This thought summarizes the above passage. From scriptures we can see how God delivered His children from their oppressors, time and time again; from this, we can...

Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy, and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.  Isaiah 55:1 REFERENCE Isaiah 55:1-11 God calls to all who thirst to come to the water and to come to buy milk and wine. These two (wine and milk) will refer to a life of satisfaction based on the knowledge of God’s Word and fellowship with the Holy Spirit, as both are received in our new life in Christ. We must ‘buy’ the truth and cherish it, we must ‘buy’ salvation...

“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 (ESV) REFERENCE Isaiah 54:4-10 (ESV) This profound statement was made by God Himself. It is an assurance of His steadfast and undying love for His children, as well as an establishment of His covenant of peace with us. In trying to understand the import of this statement, think of how unshakeable and unmovable physical mountains and hills can be. Howbeit, God is saying even if it were somehow possible...

I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.  John 5:30 REFERENCE John 5:30 A man trying to find a place had wandered in circuits for several minutes until he saw a young boy and asked him, “Please, how do I get to the City Museum?” The boy told him, “Walk 2 blocks straight down, turn right at the barber’s shop and walk down. That will take you to a cross junction; when you get there,...

And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Matthew 3:9   REFERENCE Matthew 3:4-10 It makes no sense to live life without any tangible impact or contribution. It is as absurd as a tree (which usually speaks of a man when it is mentioned in Scriptures) using up space and soil nutrients, but bearing no fruits. Such a tree will not be around for too long, for the husbandman shall soon chop it down. In Luke 13:6-9, Jesus told...

God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.  Psalm 46:5   REFERENCE Psalm 46:1-5 This is a beautiful psalm packed with God’s promises for you – the believer. Firstly, there is the assurance of God being in your midst. Although God was referring to Jerusalem in the Old Testament, as a New Testament believer you have a better deal – you are the dwelling place of God. And because God is in your midst as a mighty man, nothing will move or dislodge you (from your appointed...