It's not wrong to feel emotion, or to experience hurt. But God's desire is that I would not allow hurt and offense to prevent me from stepping forward into the better things He has in store for me. =================================== Scripture 1 Samuel 15:35-16:1...

To walk in God's favor, I must submit to God's kingship. ================================ Scripture 1 Samuel 13:12-13a "I said, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.' So I forced myself, and offered the...

Paul did not fear the voice of his critics, because he walked and communicated with consistency and integrity. ==================== Scripture 2 Corinthians 10:11 "Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present." Observation...

As Boaz invested himself to be a part of God's blessing to Ruth, God blessed him in return. ===================== Scripture Ruth 2:11-12 "But Boaz answered her, "All that you have done for your mother in law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me,...

Godly leadership points back to the heart of God. It defines what is right and what is wrong, what is Godly and what is self-serving. It changes the status quo, and establishes a clear direction. ============================= Scripture Judges 21:25 "In those days...

Because of Christ, mankind has the opportunity to be reconciled with God and have the veil removed in order to see and perceive clearly. ========================== Scripture 2 Corinthians 3:12-17 "Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would...

If we want to see the Spirit move in power, we must each do our part to create an environment where He is welcome. =========================== Scripture 1 Corinthians 14:12 "So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in...

As I align myself with the heart of God, he is able to use me fully for his glory...in the way that he desires. ====================== Scripture 1 Corinthians 12:4-7,11 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but...

Boundaries don't create distance—they define how to walk closely in unity together. ============================== Scripture Joshua 18:11-12 "The lot of the tribe of the people of Benjamin according to its clans came up, and the territory allotted to it fell between...

Seasons keep on changing--and every season is different. The things that remain constant are God's faithfulness, and the fact that he has a purpose for my life. =========================== Scripture Joshua 13:1 "Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the Lord...

Marriage is not about what we 'demand', but about what we give. ========================= Scripture 1 Corinthians 7:2-4 "But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to...

The thing that had been an insurmountable problem without God's anointing, was no longer something to fear now that the hearts of the nation were aligned with God. ================== Scripture Joshua 8:1 "And the Lord said to Joshua, "Do not fear and do not be...

Paul didn't lead people to faith in his own oratory skills or charisma, but rather to faith in Jesus Christ. ======================== Scripture 1 Corinthians 2:3-5 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in...

God's power is not proven through a lack of problems in my life...His power is proven through the way that he shows himself faithful through 'every' problem I could face. ============== Scripture Psalm 40:9-10 I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great...

Right harvest, requires right seeds. ========================== Scripture Galatians 6:7-8 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who...

True friendship requires confrontation. ====================== Scripture Galatians 1:6 "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel" Observation True friendship requires...

Israel's future success hinged on their response to past blessing. ============================ Scripture Deuteronomy 8:17-19 "Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth', that he may confirm his covenant that he...

This incident with the alabaster flask was certainly significant enough to cause some grumbling among the disciples, but it doesn't seem 'that' significant to directly motivate Judas to betray Jesus. It makes me wonder--when did Judas first allow the seeds of offense...