From Desperation to Devotion “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2) Things, things, things! A better job. A bigger house. New clothes for the kids. Tomorrow’s luncheon date. A better television. Get the picture? Many of us have learned to believe God to prosper us to such a degree that we have too much to keep up with. We end up spending so much time and energy taking care of...

Develop the Love “And what this love consists in is this, that we live and walk in accordance with and guided by His commandments His orders, ordinances, precepts, teaching. This is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you continue to walk in love guided by it and following it.” (2 John 1:6)Quite simply, God says love is keeping His commandments. That brings love out of the indefinite into something...

Grace is Enough “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me.” (2 Corinthians 12:7)The devil has used the traditional teaching of Paul’s thorn in the flesh to talk believers out of the blessings of God for years, to try to convince us to settle for everything from sickness to sin–and to do it of...

Addicted to the Word “Ye know the house of Stephanas…and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.” (1 Corinthians 16:15)I want you to begin to develop an addiction today–an addiction to the Word of God. That may sound odd to you, especially if you don’t have much of an interest in the Word right now. But, believe me, it’s possible. I’ve done it myself and I’ve seen...

Put the Rumor to Rest “And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt…but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.” (Exodus 10:22-23) Years ago Satan started a rumor. He told a few Christians that they had to live like the world, sharing all the same misfortune, defeats, poverty and failure with those around them. Well, the word spread. You may...

Trust Him to Deliver You “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.” (Psalm 91:7,10)Naturally speaking, this is a terrifying world we’re living in today. A world that staggers from one disaster to another. Almost daily we hear about wars, about the dangers of nuclear weapons and...

Strength Made Perfect “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)When you run into an impossible situation, a situation you simply don’t have the strength or the ability to handle, are you often tempted to simply give up and accept defeat?...

Free From Fear “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)What would you think if I told you that you could live without fear? Would you believe me if I said that despite what you saw on the news tonight, you could be perfectly at peace? Impossible? Unrealistic? No! You see, fear isn’t just a reaction to external circumstances. It’s a spiritual...

Begin to Praise “Rejoice in the Lord, O you [uncompromisingly] righteous [you upright, in right standing with God]; for praise is becoming and appropriate for those who are upright in heart.” (Psalm 33:1)Praise. According to the Word of God, that’s the most appropriate, becoming, thing that you as a believer can do. Let me warn you though, God’s idea of appropriate praise and yours may well be two very different...

Live in Power “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)As a believer, you actually have residing in you the same new life God gave Jesus when He raised Him from the dead. The old sinner you once were has died. You’ve become a new creation on the inside. You are full of...