God hears and answers prayers but in His timing and His way. It is wonderful when God answers our prayers for someone to be healed or responds to another request. But what if God answers our prayers by saying no or waiting? When God does not answer our prayers the way we want, it can …
We see the widow of Zarephath stepping out in faith to serve Elijah water and bread. Elijah first asked for water, and the widow immediately went for a cup. While the Kerith Brook in Israel had dried up, the drought didn’t seem as severe near Sidon. It is still problematic since there is a lack …
Faith overcomes fear, which is always God’s desire for His children as we journey through life. We often come to a Y on the road of life and must choose between trusting God or letting our fears control us. The Lord told the prophet Elijah to go to Zarephath, where He instructed a widow to …
Have you ever contemplated the unseen hand of God in your life? There are times when the hand of God is at work in our lives, but it may not be evident at the time. The hand of God was apparent when a friend who was a truck driver met another truck driver at a …
The guiding God is essential in a world with many paths to choose. But which is the right one? As we follow the Lord, He knows best how to guide our lives. Not long after Elijah became a prophet, he confronted Ahab, the King of Israel, who worshiped the false god Baal. He told him …
Knowing prophecy but not following reveals the hearts of the religious leaders at the birth of Jesus. Matthew 2:1Not long after the birth of Jesus wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship …
We see Mary and Joseph demonstrating obedience is important. They did what the Mosaic law commanded for the birth of a son. They weren’t above the law even though this was a supernatural birth. Gabriel had told Mary that God highly favored her. Elizabeth had commented that Mary was blessed above all women. Joseph had …
Trusting God leads to obedience, which is seen in Peter’s life as the Lord begins to do something new. Hebrews 11:1Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.[1] As the early church spread out from Jerusalem, it was now God’s plan to evangelize the Gentiles, but …
A mature believer would tell you, “Don’t be afraid to obey God.” Perhaps you struggle to obey God’s commands. As we grow in our relationship with the Lord, we develop trust and know we can follow God’s directions even if they seem unusual. As Saul was on his way to persecute believers in Damascus, Ananias, …
Jesus, the suffering servant, was revealed to the Ethiopian eunuch as Philip explained the Isaiah Fifty-three passage. Earlier, an angel of the Lord told Philip, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.”[1] As Philip obeyed the angel’s voice, he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, who was reading from the Book …