If you follow Jesus, you won’t walk in darkness. Why does the world seem turned upside down because of ungodly behavior? Jesus reveals the answer to this age-old question. John 8:12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk …
There is something about the dawning of a new day as we move from the past into the present. As I have gotten older, I have realized that no matter how dark it may seem today, tomorrow is a new day for God to shine His light. Perhaps you are experiencing a dark time in …
In this week’s story, God was building Elijah’s faith to overcome in the next season. Elijah burst onto the scene in ancient Israel by announcing a drought to the king. 1Kings 17:1Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there …
Forty is a time of testing. It is a recurring theme in the Bible that can be a time of preparation or coming judgment. In Genesis chapter seven, forty days of rain brought judgment on the earth. The Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years to prepare them for the promised land. Nineveh had …
In almost any endeavor, persistence makes a difference. One of the most essential qualities of being a follower of Jesus is determination. Jesus is our role model for determination and persistence. We can’t imagine the strength it took for our Savior to journey to the cross and die for our sins as He fulfilled His …
Overcoming the traps of the enemy is an ongoing spiritual battle. A day does not go by when the enemy is not trying to lead us astray or into temptation. You may be in a struggle currently, not realizing our enemy seeks to destroy you. But the Lord is also there to help His children …
Paul ends our text with the recommendation to overcome evil with good. Romans 12: 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. [1] Paul has given us a way to react to those who do evil to us. It is a very counter-cultural, unexpected way to respond. As we believe in Jesus, …
Overcoming spiritual blindness takes God’s intervention and a person’s desire to come to the Lord. When I was a small boy, I remember visiting my great-grandfather, who had gone blind in his old age. Being physically blind is a tragedy because it keeps one from seeing the environment, but an even more significant disability is …
Taking responsibility for our actions is never easy, and sometimes we find it easier to shift the blame to others. Adam and Eve sinned, and when confronted by God, they immediately did everything possible to avoid responsibility. Adam blamed his wife, Eve, for giving him fruit from the tree which they were forbidden. Genesis 3:12 The …
It won’t be easy. Would you continue a task if you received this warning? If the mission isn’t important, probably not. But if the job is critical, you would buckle down and move forward despite the hardships. As Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph, they were amazed at what he said. Jesus will fulfill the prophecies. …