Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it" whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left. Isaiah 30: 21, NKJV Dear God, we know that You are faithful in guiding us, teach us to be faithful in obeying.  For Christ's sake.  Amen Yesterday was not one of my favorite days, but it ended in victory.  Praise God!  I had gone to the gymnasium, and on my way back was planning what I would have for breakfast.  In the midst of my thoughts, one message came through clear...

Therefore submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4: 7, NKJV Loving Lord, help us to see that when we are weak (submitted), then Your strength can be manifested in us.  Amen Unlike some of the other letters (epistles) in the New Testament that are addressed to a particular church, or group, or individual, the Letter of James is addressed "To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion" (James 1: 1).  One of the problems he addresses in his letter is pride.  He talks about showing favor to the rich in preference of the poor (James 2: 1-6).  He speaks openly of God's...

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4: 13, NKJV Dear Lord, here we are again, waiting to hear a word from You.  Please speak to us we pray.  In Jesus' name.  Amen Yesterday I said that we would look at this text again, strictly within its context.  Let us consider the situation leading to our promise.  Paul is apparently writing from prison.  He is thanking the Philippians for the gift they sent him by the hands of Epaphroditus (We spoke about this approximately a week or so ago).  He uses an expression of "indifference," known as "Stoics ideal" (NRSV, The New Oxford...

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4: 13, NKJV Dear Lord, as we look to You for strength, help us to know that with You, we are a majority. Perhaps the way I will share this promise today is quite different to the way you have looked at it, or heard it explained in the past.  Tomorrow we will look at it solely in its context.   The media seems to have full control over our way of thinking, dressing, eating; over our living on a whole.  You have to be a certain size, dress a certain way,...

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 1 John 5: 14, 15, NKJV Dear Lord, we ask that our eyes might be opened and we will learn to recognize the answers that are according to Your will.  Amen This promise brings us such assurance.  I do not know what comes to your mind when you read this promise, but I can...

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4: 6, 7, NRSV Dear Heavenly Father, please teach us how to pray and not worry, for Christ's sake.  Amen Today we have some good advice followed by a promise:  Do not worry, pray and give thanks; and you will have the peace of God!  At first glance, a simple formula with very powerful results!  It would be simple...

I will lift up my  eyes to the hills - From whence comes my help?  My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121: 1,2, NKJV Dear God, as we look to You for help, help us to see You lifted up in all Your glory.  Amen This is one of the Psalms known as a Psalm of Ascents.  As the Israelites journeyed to Jerusalem this Psalm constituted a dialogue between the pilgrims and a priest.  It is a Psalm that speaks of trust; trust in an all-powerful God.  It speaks of a God who is both Creator,...

Except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the Lord keeps the city, the watchman wakes but in vain.  It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late; to eat the bread of toil--for He gives to His beloved in sleep.  Behold children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Psalm 127: 1,2, NKJV Lord, how grateful we are that we have Your Word to guide us in the important things of life.  Amen When we talk about marriage, what really constitutes the house?  What...

"Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price..." Isaiah 55: 1, NKJV Lord, we thank you for the invitation to come and have not only our needs, but our wants, satisfied as well, in Thee. Amen This invitation throws the door wide open.  It is for everyone who thirsts; everyone who has a longing, everyone with a void that needs to be filled.  It is for those of us who need living waters.  We are invited to come, not only...

'Call to me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. ' Jeremiah 33: 3, NKJV Lord, we look with great longing to see the wonderful things that You have in store for us.  In Jesus' name; Amen Our promise for today represents an interaction between God and us.  We are invited to call, and God promises to answer and show us great and mighty things that are new to us; things we never knew!  But for this communication to be effective, we must be attentive to both hear and see what...