When it doesn’t ‘feel’ like Christmas
‘He sent me to…heal the heartbroken.’ Isaiah 61:1 MSG At this time of year, it’s tempting to buy into the myth that everybody else is enjoying a picture-perfect Christmas. The truth is, there are thousands out there whose lives have been forever altered by death, divorce, sickness, and financial problems. Tammy Hanson Maltby writes: ‘It […]
He gave His most precious possession
‘Thank God for his gift that is too wonderful for words!’ 2 Corinthians 9:15 CEV One afternoon a little girl stood outside Pete Richardson’s antique shop studying the treasures in the window. Then she went in and asked to see a string of blue beads. When Pete set them on the counter, she said: ‘They’re […]
Speak to the Enemy
‘We are wrestling with…the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil.’ Ephesians 6:12 GWT SPEAK TO THE ENEMY-In his classic book, War on the Saints, Jessie Penn-Lewis writes, ‘The chief condition…for the working of evil spirits in human beings, apart from sin, is passivity.’ That’s why the apostle Peter urges us, ‘Stay […]
Let God settle it for you
Dear friends, don’t try to get even. Let God take revenge.’ Romans 12:19 CEV God has a solution-When someone has hurt or betrayed you, it goes against your grain to resist the instinct for revenge – especially when there is an opportunity to settle the old score and your friends urge you to capitalise on […]
There is God
He gave us his Son – will he not also freely give us all things?’ Romans 8:32 GNT There is God-Do you like to collect Bible promises for challenging times? When your collection seems inadequate, do you add to it, thinking, ‘I just haven’t found the right promise yet’? Claiming the promise without understanding the […]
All you will ever need
‘Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.’ Psalm 62:8 NKJV NEED-Life can feel overwhelming when you’re responsible for mortgage or rent payments, maintenance bills, clothes for the family, escalating food and fuel expenses, university fees, plus the reality of preparing for your retirement! And the pressure is even greater if […]
Who advises you
‘Wisdom is found in those who take advice.’ Proverbs 13:10 NIV ‘Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.’Proverbs 15:22 NIV Advises-To win in life, you must become a lifelong learner. And learning requires submission; a quality of character we sometimes think doesn’t apply to us. We think submission is ‘just for […]
Lavish Grace
‘Forgiveness…in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.’ Ephesians 1:7 NIV Grace-Peter asked, ‘“How many times should I forgive someone who does something wrong to me? Is seven times enough?” Jesus answered: “Not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!”’ (Matthew 18:21-22 CEV). But we shouldn’t stop there. If God gave each of us only seventy-seven […]
Believe in what you do
‘Make sure they are…gifted with knowledge…and are suited to serve.’ Daniel 1:4 NLT Believe-When Daniel arrived in Babylon, he was a slave. But he rose to the top because of these qualifications: ‘Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve.’ […]
Today build people up
‘The lips of the godly speak helpful words.’ Proverbs 10:32 NLT Today build people up ‘The lips of the godly speak helpful words.’ Proverbs 10:32 NLT How do you feel when someone tries to put you down? Then don’t do it to others! ‘Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit’ (Proverbs 15:4 GNT). […]