“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless’” (Gen 17:1). Keep moving! Whether you’re 99 or not, keep moving in the Lord’s direction, and, as much as possible today, set wrong things right—we’re not faultless, but we can […]
“As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith,…abounding in it with thanksgiving” (Col 2:6-7). Beautiful! Live life with Jesus, push your roots into His resources and draw them up by faith until your life abounds with constantly new reasons […]
“Those who regard worthless idols forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord” (Jonah 2:8-9). Here is Jonah’s “Open Sesame,” the key that unlocks another opportunity to obey. When I don’t take God seriously, what option […]
“So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm” (Joel 2:13). Inward honesty is far better than outward display; I must remember that my reputation—what people think of me—is of no […]
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?” (Lk 6:46). God keep us from the sham in Western Christianity: Jesus uses “and,” not “but,” showing the assumption that these go together—calling Him “Lord,” then doing whatever we want. […]
“Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes” (Song 2:15). Relationship are rarely jeopardized by great tragedies or insurmountable crises, but by the slow erosion of corrosive attitudes, words and actions. Let’s repent and forsake such things! […]
“I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and pursuit of the wind” (Eccl 1:14, Darby). The “pursuit of happiness” is described by Solomon as chasing after the wind; instead, happiness sneaks up on you as you serve others and pursue the will of God. […]
“So He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:…Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins…’” (Lk 11:2-4). “Give” and “forgive”: think big eternal thoughts, but rejoice in small daily pleasures—remember the same God who gives you everlasting life also gives you your daily food. […]
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:4-5). If what you believe doesn’t affect how you live, it’s […]