“Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” – Genesis 1:31 REFERENCE: GENESIS 1:27-31 God finished the work of creation in six days; when He looked at everything He did, it was good and satisfactory. Everything He started on day one, He brought to a good finish on day six. There was nothing He forgot to do or wished He could have done. Everything was perfect – light, the sun, moon, stars, mountains, vegetation, the animal kingdom, the firmament, and man. Six days were sufficient...
“…and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands” – Acts 12:7b REFERENCE: ACTS 12:5-11 Herod’s harassing hand eventually reached Peter and kept him locked up in prison. A prison represents bondage, limitation, and loneliness. In addition to these, Peter had a death sentence hanging over his head; Herod planned to move him from prison to the executioner. It is satan’s modus operandi: steal, kill and destroy. He begins with bondage, a little pain, depression, fear, negative thoughts or words, or an addiction, but the ultimate goal...
“…and because he (Herod) saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also.” – Acts 12:3 REFERENCE: ACTS 12:1-5 Herod beheaded James and proceeded to take Peter; the illusion that the 12 apostles enjoyed 'unique' protection was shattered. Satan takes no prisoners and has no sacred cows; he comes for whoever is ‘exposed.’ Over the years, he has employed various agents to trouble God’s people: Pharaoh, Haman, Sanballat, Saul, Pharisees, Sennacherib, etc. They were all just satan’s tools, and today there are still many harassing hands stretched out against God’s people. Satan will use a pen, phone,...
“…and because he (Herod) saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also.” – Acts 12:3 REFERENCE: ACTS 12:1-4 Herod Agrippa was an enemy of the Church. History reveals that he was a self-seeking king who loved popularity and courted the favor of the Jewish people. Hence, he attacked the Church, a threat to Judaism at the time, to score some points with the Jews. Different versions describe what Herod did to the Church differently; ERV says, “King Herod began to do harm to some of those…of the church,” while the Passion translation says, “King Herod incited persecution against the church,...
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” – Psalm 34:1 REFERENCE: Psalm 34:1-6 We have journeyed quite far into the year. This time comes with mixed feelings for different people. Some people are counting their wins or mourning their alleged losses, and some regret delayed hopes. What they do have in common, however, is life – life to count wins, mourn losses, or smart over delays. Life is our greatest achievement; it is God’s best gift to us. The Living Bible in Psalm 34:1 says, “I will praise the Lord no...
“Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.” ~ Genesis 25:21 REFERENCE: Genesis 25:19-23 Isaac was one man whom the bible gives a detailed account of his finding a wife and marriage. His father, Abraham, sent his servant under oath on an expedition to find a wife for Isaac. Miraculous coincidences, answers to prayers, and divine favor marked this journey. Everything pointed to the fact that Rebekah was God’s appointed wife for Isaac and the future mother of his children. Sadly, like her...
“Again He said to me, Prophesy to these bones and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.” –Ezekiel 37:4 REFERENCE: Ezekiel 37:1-14 We may not know it, but as God’s children, our deliverance is often in our mouths. Jesus said, “Whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.” Scripture reveals that all things are created by the spoken word of God and respond to it. The fig tree...
“As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” – Acts 13:2. REFERENCE: ACTS 13:1-3 Although Paul had begun preaching the gospel, he was formally called into the ministry when the Holy Spirit instructed the church. He said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” The church later commissioned and sent Saul and Barnabas out as missionaries after certain biblical patterns and the following profound principles were satisfied: The Holy Spirit was...
“Moreover, David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” – I Samuel 17:37 REFERENCE: 1 Samuel 17:31-37 History can often be our friend. When dealing with present challenges or uncertainty about the future, the history of God’s past dealings with you can strengthen you. If God ever did something for someone or you in the past, it indicates that He can still do the same. This is because one of God's strong virtues is faithfulness. To be faithful is to...
“So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.” ~ Matthew 14:20-36 REFERENCE: Matthew 14:22-29 When you become tired of a situation and want a change, you need to dare. When you have a project ahead of you and feel unprepared, you need to dare. When you know it is time to grow, spread, marry, get a job, or start all over again, you need to dare. To dare is to have the courage to do something. It is being brave enough to do something difficult or dangerous....