Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?  John 11: 25, 26 Dear God, we need to believe this!  We are surrounded with suffering and death, and only the assurance that death is not the last word gives us hope.  So please speak Lord.  Amen Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, had just died.  Prior to his death, his sisters had sent word to Jesus that the "one whom love" was sick. ...

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8: 1, NKJV Heavenly Father, we ask that You will remind us that it is in You, that we have no condemnation.  For Christ's sake; Amen What a way to begin the New Year!  With no condemnation, free of all charges!  With a limitless source of power to aid us in our spiritual growth!  What more could we ask?  It is interesting that the phrase "no condemnation" begins with the adverb "now" (at the present time, or,...

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.” 1 Samuel 7: 12, NKJV Precious Lord, We have come to the last day of the year 2007, and it has only been by Your grace.  Thank you, Amen What a blessing!  We have made it to the last day of the year.  How sad to know that many "who began the race"did not make it to the "finish line."  How far has God brought you in the year 2007?  How many of the goals...

The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son a place there forever.  So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.  John 8: 35, 36, NRSV (The New Oxford Annotated Bible) Dear Savior, as we look into your Word may we claim the freedom that You offer us, for Christ's sake.  Amen To a great extent, freedom is a state of mind.  I have encountered people walking around who are virtual prisoners!  They are prisoners of habit, of negative self-talk, of other people's opinion, of guilt, of what could have been.  On...

But now, God's Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel:  "Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you.  I've called your name. You're mine.  When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you.  When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.  When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end— Isaiah 43: 1, 2  The Message Precious Lord, if we could only remember Your promises when we are "in over head," what a difference it would make!  Please impress this promise upon our hearts.  Amen The manner in...

So we may boldly say “ The LORD is my helper; I will not fear.  What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13: 6, NKJV Dear Savior, how thankful we are to You for everything that You have done for us.  Please give us the assurance that having You as our Helper will take care of all our needs.  For Christ's sake.  Amen It is amazing how much was involved in Christ's coming to our world!  He was given to humanity!  He came to show us the face of God!  A week or so ago we saw Him as an ever-present Help.  Today...

"Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth!  For I am God, and there is no other." Isaiah 45: 22, NKJV Dear God, here we are once more in Your Holy Presence, waiting to catch a glimpse of Your face; to hear a Word from Your lips.  In Jesus' name.  Amen Why do you believe God would ask us to look to Him in order to be saved?  Why not look at nature?  Doesn't nature provide us with a fairly accurate picture of God?  And how can we look to Him, if at no time men and women can look...

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end... Isaiah 9: 6, 7, NKJV Heavenly Father, how can we ever thank You enough for giving us all that Heaven had to offer in the person of Your Son, Jesus the Christ.  Amen Today we are looking at one of my favorite texts.  How my heart thrills to the thought that we mean so much to God, His...

"Listen to me, family of Jacob, everyone that's left of the family of Israel.  I've been carrying you on my back from the day you were born, and I'll keep on carrying you when you're old.  I'll be there, bearing you when you're old and gray.  I've done it and will keep on doing it, carrying you on my back, saving you." Isaiah 46: 3, 4, The Message My Savior and my God, "How excellent is your name in all the earth!"  Your promise warms my heart!  May we all be blessed as we contemplate, from Your Word, Your never-ending love, Your ceaseless watchcare over us. ...

'“It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear." Isaiah 65: 24, NKJV Dear Heavenly Father, we know that this is true because You promised.  Grant that this promise will encourage us to move forward in faith.  Amen This promise belongs to a group of Scripture with dual fulfillment.  They foretell of events that could, or would, take place in the here and now, sometimes under specific circumstances; but would also find fullfilment in the hereafter.  If God's people were obedient to Him they would begin to experience heaven on earth.  Not only would...