In Luke 11:9-13, Jesus says, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Throughout the New Testament, Jesus uses natural relationships (i.e. children and parents, husband and wife, etc.) to illustrate truths about the way God relates to us. He explains heavenly concepts through earthly imagery—Jesus was a master teacher. The illustration of the father-son relationship in the passage in Luke relates this important truth: As Christians, we are a part of the family of…
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26. Several years ago in Bible College, I developed an undeniable burden for a family member who had fallen away from God. I entered into a season of fasting and prayer for this individual, believing that God was going to do something miraculous in their life. One afternoon, I entered the prayer room, and a spirit of intercession came over me. I prayed for almost five hours; it was physically exhausting, and I felt like an iron ball was in my stomach, weighing me down, causing me to remain tethered to the floor. In those few hours, it was as though I felt all of the shame, heartache, fear, regret, and pain of my loved one. My burden was great. In my desperation, I cried out to the Lord, “Take this burden from me, it’s too heavy for me to bear anymore.” At that moment the Lord spoke to my spirit so beautifully said, “What you have felt for your family member, I have felt for…
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: Even on My menservants and maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy, Acts 2:17-18. Acts 2:17-18 fulfill the prophecy that is Joel 2:28-29. These scriptures explain that in the end time there will be a generation of young people who are going to rise up and speak what heaven is saying. God is going to use young men and women to herald the gospel. Every young person reading this devotion—you are born in this generation for a reason. If God wanted the Apostle Paul to live in the 2024, then He would have appointed him to be alive in these last days. But, God did not appoint the apostle Paul to be alive in the 21st Century. He has appointed you to be a leader in this generation; a leader in your schools, a leader in your community, and a leader in your family. God is going to give you…
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 The late T.F. Tenney said in one of his sermons, “The main thing is keeping the main thing the…
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness… So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them, Genesis 1:26-27. We are created in the image and likeness of God. These words have two very different meanings. Image is displaying God’s glory; it is an outward representation of who God is and when people look at us, they should know that we are His ambassadors. People will see our countenance and observe how gracious we are to others. Likeness is displaying God’s characteristics; it is an inward representation of God’s character in our lives. When people talk with us, communicate with us, and observe how we treat one another, then they should hear and feel the character of God displayed in our life. We are to be image bearers of God. There is eternal influence when we walk in our created calling as women of God. We need to recognize the power we have being image bearers of God and to seek after being the true body of Christ as a united front. In God’s design, He didn’t create us to bear His…
Grief has a way of halting day-to-day activities, bringing us to a stand still. Sorrow is clothed with a heavy garment; losing a job, breaking up with someone, not getting an offer accepted on your dream home, or the passing of a loved one can overwhelm us with deep emotional strain. Jesus gives us a great exchange. We give Him our sin and He makes us white as snow. We give Him our sorrow, and He gives us joy. We give Him our burdens, and He will help carry them. God desires to give beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3). Jesus invites us to live a more peaceful life, He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” Matthew 11:28, NIV. What are some indicators that we don’t have peace? You feel: Pressure Anxiety Fear Overwhelmed Irritable This world doesn’t know the difference between joy and fun. They think if they have a good time they will feel better. Proverbs 14:13 says, “Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful.” It matters what things we allow to…