For the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. Prov 24:16 (ESV). One of the most powerful aspects of being a Christian is that ‘the power that raised Christ from the dead now dwells in us' (Rom 8:11). It has to...
His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord. Matthew 25:21 (NKJV) This verse comes from a parable in Matthew called “the parable of the...
Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1 (NKJV) In the Amplified, Isaiah 60 reads: “ARISE from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you – rise to a new life! Shine – be...
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1 Cor 1:27 (NIV) Don’t ever undervalue or underestimate your weakness. God doesn’t. If He can turn dust into a man and words into a universe,...
Be on our guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 1 Cor 16:13 (NLT) In this verse Paul is urging the Corinthians to take a strong position. One that leans in. One that is prepared. Being a follower of Jesus is no “Sunday picnic”. It means that you...
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Romans 12:9 (NLT) Jim Elliott, a missionary who has martyred on the shores of Ecuador in 1956, wrote in his journal – “Wherever you are, be all there....
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. Ps 20:7 (NIV) Fear can drive you to trust in things you wouldn’t naturally or normally trust. If you’ve no options left where do you turn? If you’re floating in the ocean, lost at...
But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. 2 Tim 4:17 (NLT). I read acts 27 and 28 the other day and was again reminded of how much the...
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Matt 19:26 (NLT) This verse, in context, is an the account of the Rich Young Ruler. Jesus says this line after the disciples ask “… who in the world can...
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Heb 11:6 (ESV) Rewards don’t come without risk and faith, in natural terms, is just that…risky business! What comes...
