For behold, the Lord, the Lord of hosts, is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff [every kind of prop], the whole stay of bread and the whole stay of water. – Isaiah 3:1, Amplified Bible (AMP) Isaiah 3 describes a nation: Proud of sin, Overabundantly obsessed with sex, More… Continue reading There’s nothing like a dearth of leadership to punish a nation.
Category: Persecution
Ridiculing Christians is nothing new.
When Jehu came out to the servants of his master, one said to him, Is all well? Why did this mad fellow come to you?… – 2 Kings 9:11, Amplified Bible (AMP) As wise Solomon once wrote, “There is nothing new under the sun.” For example, there are few weapons more precious to the opponents… Continue reading Ridiculing Christians is nothing new.
Are you feeling a little muddy today?
Like a muddied fountain and a polluted spring is a righteous man who yields, falls down, and compromises his integrity before the wicked. – Proverbs 25:26, Amplified Bible (AMP) Persecution is part of the Christian life. Some experience only verbal persecution while others face threats to their very lives. Some encounter persecution only sporadically, while… Continue reading Are you feeling a little muddy today?
Ask for Paul’s attitude first thing every day.
But none of these things move me; neither do I esteem my life dear to myself, if only I may finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have obtained from [which was entrusted to me by] the Lord Jesus, faithfully to attest to the good news (Gospel) of God’s grace (His unmerited… Continue reading Ask for Paul’s attitude first thing every day.
Don’t back down from the sharks.
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]. – Philippians 4:13, Amplified Bible (AMP) Here is another excerpt from Admiral William H. McRaven’s fantastic May 2014 commencement address to the… Continue reading Don’t back down from the sharks.
Renounce Christ or die? What would you choose?
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it… Continue reading Renounce Christ or die? What would you choose?
Lower than a snake’s belly in a wagon rut.
My heart is grievously pained… – Psalm 55:4, Amplified Bible (AMP) Psalm 55 chronicles some of the deepest sorrow that David ever experienced. Filled with words like “distraught, “oppression,” “pain,” “terror,” “horror,” and “trembling,” David exquisitely described what it is like to suffer severe distress – not only of circumstance, but of soul. Many commentators… Continue reading Lower than a snake’s belly in a wagon rut.
Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
Your servant killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God! – 1 Samuel 17:36, Amplified Bible (AMP) There is an old saying that goes like this: Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. There is an… Continue reading Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
Chin up! Your weary soul means you are doing something right for Christ!
In toil and hardship, watching often [through sleepless nights], in hunger and thirst, frequently driven to fasting by want, in cold and exposure and lack of clothing, – 2 Corinthians 11:27, Amplified Bible (AMP) It’s when you are in the throws of service to God that you can expect the unrelenting attacks of Satan. The… Continue reading Chin up! Your weary soul means you are doing something right for Christ!
Promises, promises. Make sure you keep yours!
When the Angel of the Lord spoke these words to all the Israelites, the people lifted up their voice and wept. – Judges 2:4, Amplified Bible (AMP) God never fails to keep His promises, but we often do. When we do, our bad choices can lead to lifetimes of consequences. In the latter part of… Continue reading Promises, promises. Make sure you keep yours!