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: Temptation
Be happy and glad-hearted at all times.
Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always). – 1 Thessalonians 5:16, Amplified Bible From the most fragile blade of grass to the most brilliant star in the sky, all things share the same fate: death. Some things dies more slowly than others, but all things in this universe will face… Continue reading Be happy and glad-hearted at all times.
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.
Be sure to listen to God, not another Christian.
And the man of God said to the king…For I was commanded by the word of the Lord… – 1 Kings 13:8-9, Amplified Bible In 1 Kings 13 an unnamed prophet of God met Jeroboam, King of Israel, at Bethel to chastise him for turning his back on The Lord. As part of the chastisement,… Continue reading Be sure to listen to God, not another Christian.
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.
You are a source of great joy — and great pain.
…you have utterly scorned The Lord… – 2 Samuel 12:14, Amplified Bible We can be such a great source of joy to our God. And, we can be such a great source of pain to Him. God Himself described David as a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22), and it’s not hard to see… Continue reading You are a source of great joy — and great pain.
It’s time for you to pursue God’s kingdom, not yours.
Only aim at and strive for and seek His kingdom, and all these things shall be supplied to you also. – Luke 12:31, Amplified Bible So few Christians lead what is commonly called the “victorious Christian life.” Though the complete definition of this term may vary from person to person, in sum the victorious Christian… Continue reading It’s time for you to pursue God’s kingdom, not yours.
Wait for your Samuel. God has things under control.
It’s when you are under pressure that you make the mistake. You’ve waited and waited and waited on The Lord to provide. Seemingly nothing has happened, and your circumstances are tightening around you slowly like a boa constrictor squeezing its prey. Something must happen, and it must happen NOW, or all will be lost. Or… Continue reading Wait for your Samuel. God has things under control.
Run to God when you are threatened; He is your Strong Tower.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower… Proverbs 18:10, Amplified Bible There are days when there is a battle at every turn. Although you didn’t wake up desiring to go to war, the Enemy did, and war has raged since the moment you awoke. When faced with such a day, what do you… Continue reading Run to God when you are threatened; He is your Strong Tower.
Don’t doubt God’s faithfulness to you.
…wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar… – Jeremiah 15:18, KJV Have you ever wondered why God has allowed a crisis in your life? Most have, and it is not hard to imagine circumstances that would drive people to such questioning. Many Christians who are suffering loss, ill health, financial struggle, or constant… Continue reading Don’t doubt God’s faithfulness to you.