Will you pass the test of loyalty?

…And he [testing Elisha] said, Go on back. What have I done to you? [Settle it for yourself.] – 1 Kings 19:20(b), Amplified Bible (AMP) From time to time, God will introduce a test of loyalty into our lives. I’m not talking about a test of loyalty that revolves around sin. We make decisions every… Continue reading Will you pass the test of loyalty?

When God throws you a curveball, keep on swinging.

A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure. – Proverbs 16:9, Amplified Bible (AMP) The Stroups* had a plan: Leave the United States of America behind, Settle in Cambodia, Build an orphanage, and Take over the administration of an existing Christian school. Having spent close to two… Continue reading When God throws you a curveball, keep on swinging.

Are you willing to go?

If I say to the wicked, You shall surely die, and you do not give him warning or speak to warn the wicked to turn from his wicked way, to save his life, the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at your hand. – Ezekiel 3:18, Amplified… Continue reading Are you willing to go?

It’s best not to pass by on the other side of the road.

And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho… – Luke 10:30, Amplified Bible (AMP) We can spend a lifetime serving God in a box, and by doing so we will one day find that we barely served Him at all.  By serving God “in a box,” I mean that we… Continue reading It’s best not to pass by on the other side of the road.

Everybody wants to be the head honcho.

And they said, Has the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? Has He not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it. – Numbers 12:2, Amplified Bible (AMP) When The Lord addresssed His people in Micah Chapter 6, He identifed the three siblings Moses, Aaron, and Miriam as His instruments of deliverance from Egypt.… Continue reading Everybody wants to be the head honcho.

The reason we have been left behind after being born again is…

If anyone sins in that he is sworn to testify and has knowledge of the matter, either by seeing or hearing of it, but fails to report it, then he shall bear his iniquity and willfulness. – Leviticus 5:1, Amplified Bible (AMP) There is a hard lesson for Christians in Leviticus 5:1. According to this… Continue reading The reason we have been left behind after being born again is…

How ’bout them Braves!

And Pharaoh took off his [signet] ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in [official] vestments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. – Genesis 41:42, Amplified Bible (AMP) It was the Fall of 1991. My roommates and I set up our television set, our… Continue reading How ’bout them Braves!

Here’s the “why” behind intercessory prayer.

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, – Jude 1:20 KJV Some years ago, a young man was going about his business on a Saturday afternoon when, like a ton of bricks, he was hit with a burden to pray. The burden was specific, clear, and… Continue reading Here’s the “why” behind intercessory prayer.

Be obedient when the Holy Spirit recruits you to pray.

…the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us… – Romans 8:26, KJV Working in his field in Asia, a missionary became aware of two very urgent issues back home. On a moment’s notice, he dropped his mission work in order to hop on a plane to the United States, and, during the flight, both issues weighed… Continue reading Be obedient when the Holy Spirit recruits you to pray.

Be prepared to be opposed when you turn unto God.

Then [the guiding angel] showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at Joshua’s right hand to be his adversary and to accuse him. – Zechariah 3:1, Amplified Bible (AMP) Imagine that you are six years old, and the heavy rain you’ve been watching from the window… Continue reading Be prepared to be opposed when you turn unto God.