Stand firm, therefore, having fastened the belt of truth around your waist… Ephesians 6:14 Yesterday we started looking at the passage in Ephesians 6 where Paul tells us that we are in a spiritual warfare and calls us to put on the full armor of God. Perhaps you have read through this passage before, but …
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Psalm 23:4 NLT From our text above, one can deduce and say that in life’s journey dark times are inevitable. They look different for all of us. …
“Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, While our vineyards are in blossom.”Songs of Solomon 2:15 NASB Few days ago while going through one of my social media handles, I came across a statistics that brought our main text to light. The stats reads: Buffalos kill 7 people every …
“So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.” Ezekiel 37:7 When Ezekiel prophesied to the dry bones, there was a noise and a shaking, and the bones came together, each bone to its bone. Everything …
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: Deut 30:19 Choice is the exclusive privilege of control and determination given to man by God. It is the purest and …
We all experience times of testing, which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity to trust him more, for along with …
So David went to Baal Perazim and defeated the Philistines there. He said, “The Lord has overwhelmed my enemies in front of me like an overwhelming flood.” That is why that place is called Baal Perazim [The Lord Overwhelms]. 2 Samuel 5:20 (GW) David is speaking about his experience with the Lord’s breakthrough. He describes …
Every God-born person conquers the world’s ways. The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. The person who wins out over the world’s ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:4-5 (MSG) If a research is going to be taken on the …
And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them. Judges 8:4 (KJV In the journey and fight of faith, giving up is not an option no matter how rough and tough the journey becomes, faint yet pursuing. We cannot read this without …
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. . . .See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:14,24 These verses from Psalm 139 remind us that while each one of us is a beautiful creation of the Lord, there are also offensive ways …
The curtain of the temple was torn in two… The earth shook…and the tombs broke open… People who had died were raised to life . . . and went into the holy city. Matthew 27:50-52 Matthew is showing us today that Jesus’ death changed the relationship of the Holy God with a sinful world. Previously …
She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. Acts 16:14 Lydia was a wealthy businesswoman. She was also a worshiper of God. Paul met her and some other women gathered for prayer outside Philippi on the day of worship. When Paul shared the good news of Jesus …
“I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” Ezekiel 36:27 Hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth, God’s prophet Ezekiel addressed the exiles of Israel with promises of change and improvement. The Lord would replace their hearts of stone with hearts of flesh. …
If we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:17 Glory seems like a vague description, but it is the single word that best captures our future as children of God. Though …
Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? Romans 6:1 Over the past few years, the subject of grace has grossly been misunderstood and in some quarters greatly abused just like it was in the time of Paul the Apostle. Grace is not a license to sin but an empowerment to live above …
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 Salvation is a homecoming, God’s act of adopting spiritual orphans into his eternal family. Sonship refers to our adoption …
Living within you is the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory! This mystery of Christ, embedded within us, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants everyone to know it! Colossians 1:27 (TPT) Preachers and Sunday school teachers sometimes speak of …
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3 Peter was a close friend and follower of Jesus. He was an eyewitness of Jesus’ life and ministry. At the close of his ministry, he …
Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. John 19:38 As we journey more into the Easter story, you can’t help but be intrigued with Joseph of Arimathea. All four writers of the Gospels spent time discussing this …
Jesus said, “It is finished.” John 19:30 As Jesus prepares to give up his spirit, he utters one final phrase from the cross: “It is finished.” This was not a statement of surrender, but a declaration of victory. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God has made redemption possible for every person who believes in his …
Some people built a fire in the middle of the courtyard and were sitting around it. Peter sat there with them, and a servant girl saw him. Then after she had looked at him carefully, she said, “This man was with Jesus!” Peter said, “Woman, I don’t even know that man! Luke 22:55-57 CEV When the Jewish …
“We were crushed and overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it … But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.” 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 NLT Like Paul, we all faced circumstances in which we feel crushed and overwhelmed. Sometimes the situations …
We have become the unmistakable aroma of the victory of the Anointed One to God a perfume of life to those being saved and the odor of death to those who are perishing. 2 Corinthians 2:15 (TPT) We are the sweet fragrance of Christ. We have the fragrance of God’s grace over us. We no longer have an aroma …
“If you do not obey the Lord your God … [He] will send on you curses, confusion and rebuke in everything you put your hand to.” Deuteronomy 28:15 NIV God promised enormous blessings for His people when they entered the Promised Land. He promised “prosperity” and financial abundance. He promised to bless “everything” they did. …
“He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.” – Proverbs 17:27 NASB Proverbs provides practical guidelines to test our true character by examining our words and actions and by evaluating how we react to situations we face. Sometimes we feel the depth of …
People ruin their lives with the foolish things they do, and then they blame the Lord for it. Proverbs 19:3 ERV When things go wrong, we often want to blame someone or something else. We are not willing or able to take responsibility for our actions or inaction. Such ‘passing the buck’ has a long …
“Miserable comforters are you all! … I also could speak as you do, if your soul were in my soul’s place … but I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the comfort of my lips would relieve your grief. Job 16:2-5 Most times, people tend to assume a false conclusion about the source of …
And the Lord said unto Moses, “Rise up early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh. Lo, he cometh forth to the water, and say unto him, ‘Thus saith the Lord: Let My people go, that they may serve Me. Exodus 8:20, 22 NKJV After God got ready to deliver His people, He asked Moses …
Jesus ate dinner at Matthew’s house. Many tax collectors and others with bad reputations came and ate with him and his followers. The Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with these people. They asked his followers, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and other sinners?” Jesus heard them say this. So he said …
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“Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are lost; they’re confused. The wilderness has closed in on them.’ Then I’ll make Pharaoh’s heart stubborn again and he’ll chase after them. And I’ll use Pharaoh and his army to put my Glory on display. Then the Egyptians will realize that I am God.”” Exodus 14:3-4 Message. Have you …
I know, God, that mere mortals can’t run their own lives,That men and women don’t have what it takes to take charge of life. Jeremiah 10:23 The Message The Bible encourages us to plan but also warns us about the limitation of our plans. The best of our planning process has limits. In fact, the writer of …
Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: Galatians 4:3- (KJV) God has so much to say about time. The Bible talks about the process of time, the fullness of time, appointed time e.t.c. Ecclesiastes says there is a time for everything, and a perfect time for …
The Lord says, “I will make you wise and show you where to go. I will guide you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8 (NCV) We have been born into a world not of our own making. It is a world full of choices, and many conflicts that demands our time and attention; specific circumstances influence our lives …
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. James 5:17 (ESV) Many approach prayer as something they must do, a routine while others see it as just sending a polite greeting …
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’ Genesis 3:1 NIV Literally the oldest trick in the book. “Did God really say?” continues to be a favorite tool of the …
But now your kingdom will not last. The Lord has searched for a man after his own heart. The Lord has appointed him as ruler of his people, because you didn’t follow the command of the Lord.” 1 Sam 13:14 God’s Word It takes only a little reflection from life to realize that disobedience is very expensive. From Adam to …
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) Everything we can see and touch is ultimately going to pass away. Time, talent and treasure, from a value standpoint will expire as soon as we leave this side of eternity. Worldly wealth will perish …
And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 2 Corinthians 8:5 Consecration is when we deliberately determine to be interested in that which God is interested in. Simply put, consecration is higher and greater concentration on Jesus and …
“But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.” Matthew 6:33 (AMPC) Many Christians want to have all things added to them, but they hardly want to make the kingdom …
Isaac dug again the wells of water, which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham. He called their names after the names his father had called them. Genesis 26:18 (MEV) Like Isaac, every individual must find for himself or herself …
“while I was still speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision previously, came to me in my extreme weariness about the time of the evening offering. 22 And he instructed me and talked with me and said, “Daniel, I have come now to give you insight with understanding Daniel 9:21- 22 (NASB) There are aspects and dimensions of life we would …
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:4 (KJV) As a born again New Testament believer, it is not sufficient to know and relate with Jesus on the basis of Him just being our Savior and soon coming King. Our revelation of Him must …
Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2 (KJV) God has called us to be faithful stewards, to be managers of the resources He has given us. These resources might come in form of time, talent or treasure. But we often fail God in this regards. Maybe because …
I showed you in all things that you should work as I did and help the weak. I taught you to remember the words Jesus said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35 (NCV) The beatitudes are the supreme blessedness taught by Jesus Christ, and the most unbelieved beatitude is the text …
…So then, whatever you desire that others would do to and for you, even so do also to and for them, for this is (sums up) the Law and the Prophets…” Matthew 7:12 (AMPC) This is a principle that we should all live by. We know how we would feel if we were being treated …
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. James 4:13-14 (ESV) We have all been in the situation of making plans, or thinking that something will happen in …
For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through love serve and seek the best for one another. Galatians 5:13 (AMP) The Christian experience is a call to all round liberty. We have been called to the freedom that …
That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, Colossians 2:2 (ESV) Paul in our text today describes the Christian community as a people “knit together in love” it is like a well-made fabric …
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) For the Christian, it is only natural that good works and acts of kindness should flow out of the salvation encounter already accomplished in us and for us by Christ Jesus. …
I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for …
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s …
Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” James 4:15 (NKJV) Have you ever spoken with someone at night and scheduled an appointment for the next day or days following just to wake up to the sad news of their demise? This shocking reality is a stark reminder of …
“A faithful man shall abound with blessings, but he who makes haste to be rich [at any cost] shall not go unpunished.” Proverbs 28:20 (AMPC) Faithfulness provokes God’s attention, it enthrones men an bring men to an unexpected position in life. Unfortunately, faithfulness has become one of the rarest virtues on earth today. It is …
But everything I said through my servants the prophets happened to your ancestors, just as I said. As a result, they repented and said, ‘We have received what we deserved from the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. He has done what he said he would do. Zechariah 1:6 (NLT) God’s word speaks and addresses people of …
Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. Proverbs 25:4 (KJV) In Malachi 3:3 God is described as a silversmith that purifies His people. God uses the different trials and experiences of our lives to keep refining us. When we go through some difficult times, it …
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful. Joshua …
The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Psalm 110:2 (KJV) In life you have to be in charge in other for you to rule. We cannot exercise our authority on an enemy we have not conquered. See how the scriptures described Jesus as exerting …
That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Genesis 18:25 (KJV) One of the rhetorical questions of scriptures is before us today, …
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. Psalms 34:10 (KJV) Youthfulness always comes with strength and vitality. It is the time where your mind is fresh and active, your body is agile and energetic. Youthfulness is a great and wonderful resource given to us …
And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses. All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the people rose and worshiped, each man in his tent …
O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Psalm 34:8 (KJV) Tasting is the cautious step people take to find out if what they are tasting would be good and suitable for consumption. People don’t stop at tasting, whenever they find out that what they have tasted is …
They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. Psalm 106:13-15 (KJV) In walking with God one of the lessons we would need to learn is the act of …
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13 (KJV) Scrolling through my twitter timeline days ago, I saw a friend had tweeted “One more ‘believe in the process’ and I’ll scream.” It struck a chord. I realized that like my twitter mutual, many …
“…And the Lord shall guide you continually and satisfy you in drought and in dry places and make strong your bones. And you shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not…” Isaiah 58:11 (AMPC) We are ever aware of how God sustains us despite our circumstances. Even …
“What is your request?” he asked. She replied, “In your Kingdom, will you let my two sons sit on two thrones next to yours?” But among you it is quite different. Anyone wanting to be a leader among you must be your servant. Matthew 20:21, 26 (TLB) Many of us go through life with the big ambition …
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. Matthew 14:30 (KJV) We have all dreamt of achieving great things for God doing things that have never been done before. These dreams may involve taking over places that have not been conquered yet with …
The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet and makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility]. Habakkuk 3:19 (NKJV) No matter what we face in life, God is our ‘Strength’. He …
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: Isaiah 1:19 (KJV) Imagine Peter, with all his experience as a professional fisher man toiling all night without a catch. Imagine the frustration of doing all you can, the best way you can, without any evidence to prove that your effort …
And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. Luke 17:14 (KJV) There would never be a time in our lives where it is okay for us to disobey God. Obedience to God for the believer should …
So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; it will not return to Me void (useless, without result), without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV) All of God’s Words, whether written or spoken, would never return to him without accomplishing …
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful. Joshua …
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 2 Corinthians 6:17 (KJV) It is full blown insanity to keep desiring and praying for your life to be different while you keep doing the same things others are doing. In …
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Genesis 1:28 (KJV) The first divine words ever spoken …
Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. Isaiah 43:7 (KJV) Everything imaginable was created with a purpose for a purpose. Everything God created was created to solve a particular problem hence glorifying God and blessing humanity. God didn’t create man in His image and likeness just to occupy space. Every man on the face of …
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged—consecrated to Him—set apart for His purpose]; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete and [be found] blameless at the coming of our Lord …
But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the Lord, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel. Judges 14:4 (KJV) In Judges 14 we see Samson walking in what we call love at first sight. He saw this daughter of a …
I say this because I know what I am planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future. Jeremiah 29:11 (NCV) Before we go far into the year, it will be good to be convinced beyond every reasonable and …
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and …
O Timothy, guard and keep the deposit entrusted [to you]! Turn away from the irreverent babble and godless chatter, with the vain and empty and worldly phrases, and the subtleties and the contradictions in what is falsely called knowledge and spiritual illumination. [For] by making such profession some have erred (missed the mark) as regards the faith. Grace (divine favor and blessing) be with you all! Amen (so …
Do not bring any of these idols into your homes, or the same curse will be on you that is on them. You must hate and despise these idols, because they are under the Lord’s curse. Deuteronomy 7:26 (GNT) To the child of God both his heart and his environment are supposed to be rid of …
“Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that.” Philippians 3:16 (AMPC) The preceding verses mention that we need to be pressing forward toward the goal – to win the prize. In Verse 16, it speaks of holding true to what we have already attained …
“…For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take …
Anything that distracts us from the eternal is worthless, meaningless, and temporal; and can short circuit our possibilities in God.