Jesus answered, It was not that this man or his parents sinned, but he was born blind in order that the workings of God should be manifested (displayed and illustrated) in him. – John 9:3, Amplified Bible (AMP) When coming upon the blind man of John 9, the disciples asked Jesus a very natural question,… Continue reading Those inexplicable circumstances might just be the best way you can help God reach others.
Category: Tests
Quit nagging about the stuff you don’t have.
And should you seek great things for yourself? -Jeremiah 45:5, Amplified Bible (AMP) The Book of Jeremiah is saturated with extremely long chapters, but it has a few short ones as well, with one in particular standing out. Jeremiah Chapter 45 is a mere five verses long. In it God addresses Baruch the son of… Continue reading Quit nagging about the stuff you don’t have.
Keep your eyes on the trapeze bar.
Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]… – Hebrews 12:2, Amplified Bible (AMP) A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, I heard… Continue reading Keep your eyes on the trapeze bar.
The wilderness has its benefits.
Then Jesus was led (guided) by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness (desert) to be tempted (tested and tried) by the devil. – Matthew 4:1, Amplified Bible (AMP) The idea of “wandering in the wilderness” doesn’t gin up happy thoughts. Instead, it usually produces thoughts of pain, anguish, and despair. It was in the wilderness… Continue reading The wilderness has its benefits.
The key to courage and bravery is based on what you expect.
Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord. – Psalm 27:14, Amplified Bible (AMP) King David faced more horrors than most of the people whose stories are recorded in the Bible. Regularly hunted down like wild game by enemies both foreign and… Continue reading The key to courage and bravery is based on what you expect.
In your next shootout with Satan, make sure you have the right kind of bullets.
Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. – Jude 1:9, KJV Have you ever watched an old Western movie where the hero of the movie faces the villain in a good old-fashioned,… Continue reading In your next shootout with Satan, make sure you have the right kind of bullets.
Be careful about thinking the grass is always greener on the other side.
In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem of Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, his wife, and his two sons. – Ruth 1:1, Amplified Bible When things get tough, it is very tempting to bail out of our… Continue reading Be careful about thinking the grass is always greener on the other side.
When you are coming down from the mountaintop, be ready for a fight.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities… – 2 Corinthians 12:10, King James Version (KJV) My friend Mike recently became an ordained minister. Within days, the joy of this milestone was overcome by fear and struggle. With no warning, Mike began suffering from high blood pressure and chest pains, causing his doctor to put him on… Continue reading When you are coming down from the mountaintop, be ready for a fight.
God is offended by your lack of trust.
The Lord of hosts—regard Him as holy and honor His holy name [by regarding Him as your only hope of safety], and let Him be your fear and let Him be your dread [lest you offend Him by your fear of man and distrust of Him]. – Isaiah 8:13, Amplified Bible (AMP) The Lord repeatedly… Continue reading God is offended by your lack of trust.
Is it well with your soul?
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you… Continue reading Is it well with your soul?