“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Num 23:19). Even Balaam knew this! And should we fail to live in the good of God’s promises […]
“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10). You will have an influence on others today; you can’t help it. But what you can help is the kind of influence you are. No better prep than […]
“Better a handful with quietness than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind” (Eccl 4:6). Solomon reminds us (9x) that going after this world is “grasping for the wind.” Why run if you’re on the wrong road? Why fight if you’re in the wrong war? Make sure today is lived for […]
“For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s” (Rom 14:8). The believer understands both the how and why of life: “by faith” (Rom 1:17), “by every word of God” (Lk 4:4), “by the Spirit” (Gal […]
“I thought about my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies” (Ps 119:59). A person is not idle when absorbed in beneficial thought; self-examination in God’s presence is far more productive than mere busyness when our feet may be leading us away from God’s path. […]
“The end of a thing is better than its beginning; the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit” (Eccl 7:8). Often hard beginnings lead to good ends; small seeds can grow into fruitful trees. Proud spirits like glory from the start; patient spirits are content with slow, steady progress in God’s will. […]
“We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Rom 4:3-4). You may have heard it said that problems are opportunities in work clothes. Paul points out that your troubles today could strengthen your resolve, refine your character, and feed your hope! […]
“This is a faithful saying: for if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him…” (2 Tim 2:11-12). Today we’re training for reigning. “Endure” means “to stay under.” Heirs to the kingdom at present are being trained by the Spirit to be governors—of their […]
“…Aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing” (1 Thess 4:11-12). You can’t build a good testimony from what you are going to do. So, […]