But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. ~ Isaiah 40:31 READING: Isaiah 40:27-31 Many Old Testament passages tell us to “wait on the Lord.” Perhaps the best known is [...]
One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in His temple. ~ Psalm 27:4 (KJV) READING: Psalm 27 I caught sight of the bald [...]
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. ~ Hebrews 13:15, 16 READING: Hebrews 13 I was once asked to speak to [...]
...every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. ~ Luke 3:9 READING: Isaiah 61:1-3 In the synagogue, Jesus read this to the Jews who were present (Lk. 4:18, 19). His twist on the passage is that the time of the Lord’s favor has come. Isaiah said, [...]
And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. ~ Joshua 4:20 READING: Joshua 4 The twelve stones at Gilgal were the first of seven stone memorials that Joshua set up, as recorded in the Book of Joshua. (See Josh. 7:26; 8:28, 29; 8:32; 10:27; 22:34; and 24:26, [...]
Rejoice in the Lord always. ~ Philippians 4:4 READING: Philippians 4 Recently, I was with a fellow minister, a man whom I love and respect. He had been going through some hard times in his family life and in his ministry life. As we talked, I began to notice that most of what he said [...]
Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. ~ I Thessalonians 5:11 READING: Acts 4:13-31 As a co-leader of a local prayer group, I arrived early and noticed that forty chairs had been set up for our group of twenty people. I instantly saw there were too [...]
When you do good deeds, don’t try to show off. If you do, you won’t get a reward from your Father in heaven. ~ Matthew 6:1 (CEV) READING: Matthew 6:1-4 Wouldn’t it be nice if people recognized our efforts, valued our sacrifices and honored our church planting accomplishments? But if we pin our hopes on [...]
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. ~ Matthew 1:21 (ESV) READING: Matthew 1:18-25 The children sang in an impromptu choir. One of the young men played the guitar, and the rest of us joined in on the familiar Christmas carols. [...]
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. ~ Matthew 1:21, (KJV) READING: Matthew 1:18-25 During the Christmas Eve service we sang “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” the classic Christmas melody. One of the verses penned by Charles Wesley touched [...]