In his days, Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho… – 1 Kings 16:34, Amplified Bible Merriam-Webster.com defines the word “stronghold” as a “a fortified place” or “a place of security or survival.” (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stronghold) The word “fortification” is derived from the Latin words fortis, or “strong,” and facere, or “to make.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stronghold) So, the intent of a… Continue reading God would rather you not rebuild Jericho.
Category: Leading
Watch those itching ears. They’ll get you into trouble.
…I hate him, for he never prophesies good for me, but evil. – 1 Kings 22:8, Amplified Bible Years ago we had a missionary visit our church who told us about one of the many interesting plane rides he had experienced in his career. During the flight he was seated next to a man from… Continue reading Watch those itching ears. They’ll get you into trouble.
God will be there to encourage you in your darkest hour.
…for the journey is too great for you. – 1 Kings 19:7, Amplified Bible Be on your guard after a great spiritual victory, for it is immediately following a great spiritual triumph that you are most susceptible to falling into the darkness of despair. In 1 Kings 18, Elijah experienced his greatest spiritual victory. In… Continue reading God will be there to encourage you in your darkest hour.
Here’s the plan to avoid the famine.
For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: The jar of meal shall not waste away or the bottle of oil fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth. – 1 Kings 17:14, Amplified Bible In Matthew 6:33, Jesus told us to seek first the kingdom of God, and all… Continue reading Here’s the plan to avoid the famine.
Don’t look behind you.
Jesus said to him, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back [to the things behind] is fit for the kingdom of God. – Luke 9:62, Amplified Bible It is so easy to look back, and we do it all of the time. God gives us a work to do, and… Continue reading Don’t look behind you.
Let God be your light at the end of the tunnel.
For You, O Lord, are my Lamp; the Lord lightens my darkness. – 2 Samuel 22:29 Not long ago I, my wife, and my children visited a mountain cavern tourist attraction in Western, NC. During a tour of the cavern, our guide turned out all of the lights illuminating the path we were on. She… Continue reading Let God be your light at the end of the tunnel.
Why do you love God?
Oh, let him take it all… – 2 Samuel 19:30, Amplified Bible The story of David’s kindness to Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9 is a wonderful representation of God’s grace to the lost sinner. Many Christians are familiar with this story, but not many are familiar with how the story ends. In 2 Samuel 9,… Continue reading Why do you love God?
Thanks for the offer to serve God over there, but He’d rather you help Him over here.
Go and tell My servant David, Thus says the Lord: Shall you build Me a house in which to dwell? – 2 Samuel 7:5, Amplified Bible Every now and then, you’ll have a strong desire to do something for The Lord, but He just won’t let you do it. Your motives are pure, and you… Continue reading Thanks for the offer to serve God over there, but He’d rather you help Him over here.
Let God tell you what it takes to become exceptional.
If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his [own]… – Luke 14:26, Amplified Bible What does it take to become great at anything in life? Practice and focus. When we read the stories of champion athletes, outstanding musicians, and successful businesspeople, we detect a pattern of work that is shared across professions, passions,… Continue reading Let God tell you what it takes to become exceptional.
God appreciates your hard work, but make sure you’re working on His project, not yours.
Except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it… – Psalm 127:1, Amplified Bible There are examples galore of Christian workers, both in the secular world and in the sacred, who’ve “burned out” in their service to the King. They’ve toiled and striven diligently, but they’ve not been able to build… Continue reading God appreciates your hard work, but make sure you’re working on His project, not yours.