“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field… Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it” (Matthew 13:44–46, KJV). “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:20–21, KJV). In two short parables,…
“Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.” (Numbers 20:12, NKJV) When Obedience Becomes Optional Disobedience is defined as a refusal or failure to obey authority. It often begins subtly with excuses, pride, or misplaced emotion and ends in painful consequence. Whether it’s speeding on the road, breaking policies at work, or ignoring God’s commandments, disobedience never leads to blessing. It is the root that separates us from divine favor. The story of Moses in Numbers 20 reminds us that even the most faithful servants can miss God’s promise when they choose their own method over His. One moment of disobedience, one choice to act out of anger rather than reverence, changed everything. Moses still received water from the rock, but his actions misrepresented God. The result appeared successful, yet his disobedience cost him entrance into the Promised Land. Partial Obedience Is Still Disobedience When the Lord instructed Moses to speak to the rock, it was not a suggestion; it was a command. Yet Moses, overwhelmed by frustration, chose to strike the rock twice instead. He…
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (First Corinthians 6:9–11, KJV) What Hinders Revival? In his letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul exposes the danger of spiritual compromise within the church. He names sins that not only destroy lives and relationships but also rob believers of their inheritance in the kingdom of God. These same compromises hinder revival. Revival is more than a church event or a weekend crusade—it is a lifestyle. The Hebrew word chayah means “to live” or “to revive,” and tachliyah speaks of “restoration.” True revival is a return to life— a restoration to the presence, power, and purpose of God. Throughout Scripture, revival always follows repentance and obedience. At Pentecost, believers were filled with the Holy Ghost, and three thousand souls were added to…
“And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank… Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names…” (Daniel 1:5–7, KJV). “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong” (First Corinthians 16:13, NLT). Most of us know the story of Daniel—the young man taken captive to Babylon and chosen to serve in King Nebuchadnezzar’s royal court. Far from home and surrounded by a foreign language, strange customs, and idol worship, Daniel and…
“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye” (Psalm 32:8, KJV). “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand” (Psalm 37:23–24). Finding Direction in a Lost World In a world filled with complexity, shifting values, and uncertain choices, we all long for direction—something steady to help us navigate life’s crossroads. Sailors depend on a compass to cross uncharted seas. Pilots rely on instruments that align them with true north. In the same way, believers need a spiritual guide that keeps us from drifting off course. God’s Word is that compass. His Spirit is the true north of our souls. When we surrender to His guidance, He gently aligns our hearts to His will, even when we feel lost. Throughout Scripture, we see God’s divine navigation at work. His compass guided Noah to build an ark in a corrupt world, led Moses through the wilderness, and directed the disciples to preach salvation to all nations. The same guiding presence that ordered…
Prayer affects all aspects of our lives; therefore, Scripture admonishes us to pray without ceasing. Jesus declared, “I desire that my people commune with me. They with me and I with them.” Communication The primary purpose of prayer is to commune with God. Commune means to focus on Him, to converse frequently with earnest vigor, and to engage in intimate communication marked by trust and respect. Psalm 145:18 affirms this truth: “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.” God desires that we commune with Him regarding the plans He has for our lives. When we seek God regarding His will for the children with whom He has blessed us, we acknowledge that we are stewards of His heritage. Therefore, we commune with Him and submit to His will for their lives. It is easy to imagine what or who we want our children to become. However, it is imperative that we pray, not my will, but “Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.” Jeremiah 33:3 declares, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Relationship…