“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13, ESV) Some things are just unmistakable, clear to anyone who sees it. The boldness of Peter and John was very evident to the people of Jerusalem. Empowered by the Holy Spirit operating in their lives, the disciples openly proclaimed the message of the risen Savior. They did not back down, regardless of the persecution it frequently brought. And that made the religious leaders angry, very angry. The number…
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6, NKJV) I have been blessed throughout my life to have sufficient food and to enjoy the food I have. I especially enjoy sharing a good meal with a group of friends gathered around the table. The food refreshes my body while the fellowship refreshes my spirit. Eating would not be nearly as enjoyable if we did not experience hunger. Hunger is the body’s alarm system, built in by God, to warn us that it’s time to eat. Without hunger we could literally starve to…
“A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.” (Proverbs 11:17, ESV) We’ve often heard that we reap what we sow, and according to Galatians 6:7 that is a true statement. A farmer cannot plant beans and then hope to reap corn. The same is true in everyday life. We cannot sow hatred and expect to reap love. We cannot hold a grudge and expect to reap forgiveness. Nor can we sow anger and reap peace. That’s why we must be careful to only sow good things in life. Only plant what you are willing to…
I betrayed myself with a smile and an empty sentiment: “It’s okay; I understand.” I offered this deception to my “friend,” but the truth was—I didn’t understand, and it was not okay—not in the least. I was hurt, let down, and shocked. The details of the situation will remain unsaid; they are not for the world to know. But I want to share how God attended to my spirit afterward and helped me move past it. We all experience moments like these, and perhaps how God ministered to me will minister to you. Moments like these should remain just that—moments—and…
“The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands . . . The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.” (Proverbs 14:1 and 11, NKJV) Have you ever visited a home where you just weren’t comfortable? Oh, it may have had nice furniture and expensive décor, but the atmosphere of the home was not warm or welcoming. You step into another home and feel the difference. Although the furniture is worn and the floors are scarred, love and happiness seem to embrace you. Why is the…
So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (II Kings 6:16, NKJV) The odds were against Elisha. After all, he was only one man with an entire army looking for him. Now that’s being outnumbered! This is an interesting story, but wait for the surprising twist at the end. The king of Syria was at war with Israel, yet time after time Israel seemed to know their plans and avoided the attack. Finally, the king called his servants together and demanded to know who the traitor was in their midst. One of the men…