"Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him." – I Samuel 3:7 REFERENCE: I Samuel 3:1-9 I used to have a next-door neighbor who often remarked over our not seeing each other for weeks, "Close to church but far from God." In other words, we lived beside each other but rarely spent time with each other. It describes the sad state of many Christians today; they go to church and maybe even serve in their church, but they don't know the church's God. Samuel was ministering in...
"So Jesus answered and said to him, 'What do you want Me to do for you?' The blind man said to Him; 'Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.'" Mark 10:51 REFERENCE: Mark 10:46-52 Have you ever had a young fellow or sibling tell you that they need a job, and you ask them, "What kind of job?" and they respond, "Any kind."? One of two things happens to you; you are either confused about how to help them or find a way to give them whatever is available, even if it is below their qualification. Also, when we...
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely, they may forget, yet I will not forget you. ~ Isaiah 49:15 REFERENCE: Isaiah 49:13-17 These trying times can make you feel alone and wonder if God still knows your postcode or cares. You may have had an item on your prayer list for years that has yet to be sorted out by God, and it heightens your uncertainty about the days ahead. Do not fret. The devil wants you to think God has forgotten about you, but He says, "I...
"Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith." ~ Habakkuk 2:4 REFERENCE: Habakkuk 2:1-4 A lot is happening in every part of the world. It is almost customary to hear some bad news or the other on the TV, and you wonder if any good thing is happening anywhere. Jobs are scarce, mortgages are rising, fuel prices are rising, countries are fighting external and internal wars, and most world currencies are losing value. Thinking about survival in these chaotic times can be extremely troubling. Habakkuk also had questions about his...
"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" ~ Matthew 6:26 REFERENCE: Matthew 6:25-34 To pretend that all is well in the times we live is to behave like an ostrich that buries its head in the ground, believing that what it does not see or affect it. The economy is tough, and money is losing its spending power; it is easy to be agitated by fear and anxiety about our financial well-being. However, we must live...
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…” ~ Proverbs 23:7 REFERENCE: Proverbs 23:7 The mind of a man wields great power. God gave us all a creative mind – a powerful force that can condition or determine our outcomes in life. It is said that a man’s life will go in the direction of the thoughts that dominate his mind; his thoughts will act upon his life as a gust of wind acts on fallen dry leaves. King Solomon said in our text, “As he thinks, so is he.” Most believers quickly forget that...
"So the king of Israel answered and said, "Tell him, 'Let not the one who puts on his armor boast like the one who takes it off.'" ~ I Kings 20:11 REFERENCE: I Kings 20:1-13 Men often fall into the trap of measuring themselves by wealth, success, intelligence, possessions, might, or physical and mental prowess. It makes them compare themselves to other men, believing they are much better and fare better than them. If caution is not applied, the spirit of pride seeps into their heads, leading to empty boasting. King Ben Hadad had many military victories under his...
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” ~ Luke 21:33 REFERENCE: Luke 21:31-33 We live in changing times and are confronted daily by several uncertainties. Technology is changing at the speed of light; there is climate change, economic flip-flops, and governments and their policies are constantly changing. Sometimes, it is people that we once trusted and believed in that change; they make promises they never intend to keep, and it becomes difficult to handle. Companies hire people on particular terms, but they do not honor the words; some have been told, “I...
“…Against such there is no law.” ~ Galatians 5:23b REFERENCE: Galatians 5:22-25 We have spent the last nine episodes studying the beautiful virtues produced by the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers who are filled with, and allow Him to guide and influence them. If you have the Holy Spirit, then you have these virtues as a seed buried in the soil of your heart; your duty is to cultivate them until they manifest as fruits that will bless all you relate with. These nine virtues (fruit of the Spirit) are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,...
"There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding…" ~ Isaiah 11:1-2 REFERENCE: Isaiah 11:1-5 Prophet Isaiah earlier prophesied about a Son that would 'be given,' upon whose shoulders the government shall rest and whose name shall be Wonderful, Counselor... He was referring to the offspring of Jesse, Jesus Christ. This prophecy hinted at a dark period in Israel's future when the tree of David's royal line would be cut down. Jesus would...