"God has always been after something far greater. He wants a love relationship with you greater than all other relationships in your life..." But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. (Revelation 2:4) In Revelation 2:4, the church in Ephesus was rebuked for abandoning their love for Christ. This is in stark contrast to what Paul had said about this same church 35 years earlier. You might remember in Ephesians 1:15-16 that Paul said he “ne

"It is not necessary for a person to fully understand how God causes us to be born again. It is only necessary to know that God does cause us to be born again. God gives us a new life. When a person is born again God gives that person a new nature with new desires..." Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” – John 3:3 There is only one way to heaven for all of mankind. You must be born again. There i

"Remember brothers and sisters, this is God speaking. This is His Holy Word. Be quick to hear. Slow to speak. Slow to anger. This is no command to take lightly..." Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. – James 1:19 God created us with two ears and one mouth. This is His divine design and no doubt there is a purpose for it. Interestingly, God has to tell us to be quick to hear, because we are not. He has to tel

"Throughout the years God spoke through His prophets specific details of the Messiah...." And He said to them, But who do you say that I am? And Peter answered and said, You are the Christ. (Mark 8:27-29) Who is Jesus? Let us consider the fact He was the prophesied One. When Adam and Eve rebelled in the garden of Eden, God's plan was already in place. When He cursed the serpent, He also pointed ahead to redemption. Genesis 3:15 is the first prophecy of the Messiah. God

"And I would be horrified to be part of a church that was not being built by Jesus Christ, but rather by the minds and hands of men. If you’re part of such a place you need to..." For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1st Corinthians 3:11) What does it mean that there is “no…foundation other than…Jesus Christ”? Have you ever pondered that statement? Any personal faith, any ministry, any life, or any church built upon anythi

"You pray… and fast… and read the word… and go to church… and beg God to take away every temptation. If you’re ever going to win the war over temptation in your life..." “And Jesus full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil.” – Luke 4:1-2 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet wi

Most seem to be afraid to even dare to think this thought, but God loves you, and joys over you... Then he said to them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength. - Nehemiah 8:10 As a born-again believer, have you ever considered the Lord joys over you? That He truly loves you and rejoices over you? Most seem to be afraid to

This command from Mary explains in the simplest form, in seven brief words, the secret to seeing God’s power and work in our lives, or stifling God’s power and work out of our lives. His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” – John 2.5 This is the command given that brought about the first miracle ever recorded by the Lord Jesus. His mother, not knowing how, when, or what Jesus would do, simply said “whatever He says to you – do it.” This is a most pr

"God rested. Let that sink in deep into your heart. God rested. In this ridiculous pace of life that many of us have been trapped into living, we must recapture the practice of rest.... " So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. (Genesis 2:3) Of all the days of creation, there was only one day that God called holy. The final day, which was really no day of creation at all; it was a day of res

"Encouragement brings joy to the heart. This is true of all forms of encouragement; whether it be a non-verbal cheerful look (literally: “bright eyes”) or verbal “good news.” God’s Word tells us that encouragement... " A glad heart makes a cheerful face… The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones. - Proverbs 15:13, 30 Encouragement brings joy to the heart. This is true of all forms of encouragement; whether it be a non-verbal cheerful loo

"When you're rejected, you join company with the Savior. Jesus was sinless, he was wrongly accused, and to this day He is rejected. When Jesus died on the Cross, he redeemed rejection. Jesus entered into that lonely place, that place of rejection, so it would not have to be the end of our story..." “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me..." – Galatians 2:20 Free to be me. I loved that song so much when it first came out by

"Where is God in the midst of our suffering world? This is a fair question to ask; and knowing that God fears nothing we should rest assured He is not afraid of such a question. Most often... " “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3.9 Where is God in the midst of our suffering world? This is a fair question to ask; and kno

"Being willing to give mercy and forgiveness is about much more than extending grace towards another, it ultimately brings healing to the one extending such kindness. " “The merciful man does good to his own soul…” (Proverbs 11:17) The man who gives mercy is a free man. Being willing to give mercy and forgiveness is about much more than extending grace towards another, it ultimately brings healing to the one extending such kindness. On the contrary, when we hold a grudge, wh

"In a world full of fear and turmoil everyone is looking for help and peace, and it cannot be found. Instead of finding peace, there is more and more violence... In truth, peace can be found in Christ alone. " “May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” (2 Peter 1:2) In a world full of fear and turmoil everyone is looking for help and peace, and it cannot be found. Instead of finding peace, there is more and more violence. I

"The cross sounds wonderfully magnificent and heroic as long as we only have to preach about it. It’s doing it that is the hard part. But God has called us to lead, not just to tell..." “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mark 8:34) Jesus said His Kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). Consequently, His kingdom works by different rules. This is especially evident concerning the idea of leadership. There is a vast

"Often liars say downright crazy unbelievable things... These men had spoken no such intentions. Demonstrated no such actions. Planned no such thing. Had no such intentions." “…be it known to the king that the Jews…are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city… Now be it known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and their royal revenue will be impaired.” (Ezra 4:12-13) Often liars say downright crazy

"“You have put more joy in my heart...” is a phrase that speaks to the joy that only God’s children can know. It is a higher joy that God places into the hearts of his own. It is a joy that is greater than..." You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. (Psalm 4:7) “You have put more joy in my heart...” is a phrase that speaks to the joy that only God’s children can know. It is a higher joy that God places into the hearts of his own

"For those who are in denial that being divided away from the family of God equals being divided away from God, at the very least, you must acknowledge the enemies plans against you have worked to divide you away and weaken your devotion to the one true living God..." And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply…” (Exodus 1:9-10) The Apostle Paul charges us to not be ignor

"We may be wise to acknowledge that the greatest adversaries we need delivered from lie within..." ““Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries…” – Psalm 27:12 This was a wise and humble plea from Israel’s greatest king. It is pride that will keep a man from asking God for help. While it is clear from the text the adversaries David had in mind were the murderous men seeking his life, we may be wise to acknowledge that the greatest adversaries we need delivered from lie w

"It is the pride of man that keeps him from being able to receive God’s favor. It is those who think they need no help that God does nothing for. But to the lowly, the humble and dependent..." “He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant.” (Luke 1:48) How amazing and humbling is it that God regards those and comes to those who are in a ‘lowly state’. That the God of the universe, the Maker of heaven and earth, would regard anyone in this world is humbling enough. But w