For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 NIV We can’t see into the heavenly realms, and honestly, I’m glad we can’t; …
Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:15 NIV One can make a comparison between sin, and the earth’s gravitational pull; just like gravity pulls us toward the earth, sin pulls us toward the world. As …
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV Faith is the understanding that everything God’s word says is true and that all we hope for in Christ Jesus is more than just hope, it’s a fixed certainty that …
It seemed good to Darius to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, that they would be in charge of the whole kingdom, and over them three commissioners (of whom Daniel was one), that these satraps might be accountable to them, and that the king might not suffer loss. Then this …
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 NIV Paul calls attention to an amazing paradox present in Christianity: When we are weak, we are the strongest. How …
But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength. 2 Timothy 4:17a NIV Paul wrote these words at the end of his life, in his final letter to Timothy, from prison, awaiting execution. As the apostle looked back on his life, perhaps reflecting on the hardships of ministry, …
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ …
After all that Hezekiah had so faithfully done, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities, thinking to conquer them for himself. 2 Chronicles 32:1 NIV Hezekiah was a great king. He had served God well, removing the high places that were offensive …
Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them…. When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want …
Be strong and courageous! These are words that Joshua heard again and again as he stood on the edge of God’s calling to lead the people into all that God had for them. First he heard them from his mentor, Moses. Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in …
Excerpts from Psalm 18 – (NIV) I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer I cried to my God for help From his temple he heard my voice My cry came before him, into his ears He shot his arrows and scattered …
Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it …
But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like …
Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Psalm 43:3 ESV Life can be a difficult journey and it’s easy to lose our way in the midst of the storms, but God does not leave …
Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath, came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel. He was over nine feet tall! He wore a bronze helmet, and his bronze coat of mail weighed 125 pounds. He also wore bronze leg armor, and he carried a bronze …
Joab saw that there were battle lines in front of him and behind him; so he selected some of the best troops in Israel and deployed them against the Arameans. He put the rest of the men under the command of Abishai his brother and deployed them against the Ammonites. …