“Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.” (II Kings 22:8, NKJV) Have you ever lost something valuable? Perhaps it was an important legal paper. Or possibly a sentimental piece that had been in the family for years. When we realize something is missing, we usually begin a frantic search. We look in all the usual and logical places. Then, if it’s still lost, we begin searching in every imaginable place, even if…
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” (James 1:2, NKJV) Is it possible to feel joy, even when life isn’t joyful? That’s what James seemed to be saying as he began his epistle. Even when experiencing times of adversity, we can feel joy. Centuries before James told us to “count it all joy,” Job observed that life is short, and no one will escape trouble in this life. “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1, NKJV). WHY TRIALS? Trials are difficult to understand and to endure, but God allows them for a purpose. They have the potential to bring something good into our lives. Each of us will experience periods of testing and trials. But why does God allow it? If we faithfully serve Him, why do we experience so much trouble? Can’t God protect us from these difficult seasons of life? Although such questions may flood our mind, God will use these difficult circumstances to bring good things into our lives – if we allow it. It is through our struggles that we grow in strength. THE SOURCE OF OUR JOY The Book of Philippians, which was…
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) How could one man’s actions cause an entire army to go on a search mission to find him and seize him? Yet, that is what happened in II Kings 6. The man was Elisha, the prophet of the Lord, and the Syrian army wanted to find him. Is There a Spy? Time and again, Israel managed to evade the Syrian army. They seemed to always know where the Syrians would be. Was there a traitor within their ranks? The Syrian king was beginning to think so. Frustrated and deeply troubled, the king finally called his men together to discover who the spy was. Someone had to be telling the king of Israel their plans. I can only imagine his surprise at the answer he received. “It’s not us, my lord the king,” one of the officers replied. “Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel even the words you speak in the privacy of your bedroom!” (II Kings 6:12, NLT) When the Lord revealed the location of the Syrians to Elisha, the prophet would then warn the King of Israel…
“They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus.” (Acts 15:39, CSB) Conflict is painful. Whether it’s within the family, on the job, or in the church, it hurts. Acts 15 relates a painful time in the friendship and ministry of Paul and Barnabas. As they made plans to revisit some of the places where they had ministered on their earlier trip, they had what the Bible describes as a “sharp disagreement.” Their point of contention was whether John Mark, Barnabas’s cousin, should accompany them. John Mark had…
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV Fear is something I believe most, if not all of us, have dealt with in the last few years. In moments when I would personally feel fear, this scripture often came to mind. God has not given us a spirit of fear (fearfulness, timidity, cowardice) but rather a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. Let’s break each one of those down. Power in this scripture can also be translated as “Dynamis.” According to Strong’s Concordance, dynamis means “force, miraculous power, ability, abundance, meaning, might, power, strength, violence, mighty work. In my mind, this is the complete opposite of timidity, a spirit beyond what we can accomplish. Love translates to “Agapē.” Agapē love means affection, goodwill, benevolence, and brotherly love. This type of love is fueled by compassion, selflessness, and charity. It is overflowing with kindness, gentleness, and a genuine love for others. A sound mind translates to “self-control, moderation, and discipline.” This is not what I always thought a sound mind meant in this scripture. God has given us the spirit of a sound…
“But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” Mark 5:19 Mark chapter five tells the story of a man who is possessed by evil spirits. These spirits make him howl and cut himself with sharp stones, living a life of torment and constant terror. No man can subdue him, for he appears to have superhuman strength, breaking chains and smashing shackles. Jesus speaks with these spirits, and they beg Him to allow them to enter into a herd of pigs. In the end, the man is set free and healed. The man begged Jesus to go with Him on His journey. I think anyone would have the same reaction. If Jesus completely changed your life, naturally, you would want to follow Him. Jesus tells him no, and tells him to return to his family and tell them everything the Lord has done for him. Jesus knew the power of a testimony. He knew that by this man returning to his hometown, he was being His hands and feet. Jesus physically went in one direction, while this man carried the gospel to another location.…