Scripture:  Colossians 1:19-23 - 'For IN HIM ALL THE FULLNESS OF GOD WAS PLEASED TO DWELL, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether in earth or in heaven, MAKING PEACE by the blood of His cross. And YOU who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, HE HAS now RECONCILED in His body of flesh by His death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above repro...  Read More

Scripture: Philippians 1:12 (NKJ) - But I want you to know brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.Apostle Paul sees his imprisonment and the many hardships in his life as a good thing, for they have led to the spread of the gospel. Paul was often persecuted severely (2Cor. 11:23-27) and suffered many forms of hardship for the sake ...  Read More

Scripture: Jeremiah 9:23-24 - Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lo...  Read More

Scripture:   Philippians 3:14 (NKJV) - I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.Do you enjoy watching time traveler movies?  I do.  They always seem to have a singular theme running through them:  one revolving around correcting a source of regret.  While most of us can recall an event or comment (or perhaps even an attitude) that had a regretful outcome, I h...  Read More

Scripture:  John 5:24 (NASB)  -  Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.                                                                          Do you remember a couple of years ago when there were several billboards scattered around the city with the giant letters ‘B...  Read More

Galatians 2:20 -  I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.A banana tree is a very sturdy and resilient tree, and yet it looks very weak.  As unbelievable as it may be, no fire or typhoon can kill a banana tree.  Even if the banana tree wa...  Read More

Scripture:  “Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the transgressor is hard [like the barren, dry soil or the impassable swamp].  Prov. 13:15 (AMP)A few months ago, I heard a judge tell a defendant, ‘….and you thought your idea was much better than mine?!?’  The defendant had removed himself from two treatment programs that the judge had specifically ordered him to complete.  Yet, for some...  Read More

Scripture:  Psalm 1:3 - He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.There is nothing like a saint that’s seasonedGracefully enduring life in divine sequence We’ve seen a little bit of this, and a little bit of thatBut, in all our days, Jesus always had our back Lord, you’ve b...  Read More

Scripture:  Psalms 1:1-3 - Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither...  Read More

Scripture: Proverbs 16:3 (AMP) - Roll your works upon the Lord, [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause Your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.Recently I had an opportunity to “ace” a spiritual test, and yet I became fretful, frustrated, and flustered with a work-related problem that I could not quickly or easily resolve.  (Cu...  Read More

Scripture:  Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV) - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.This is not the first storm you’ve been throughYou’ve been through worseYou didn’t come this far just to lose (He knows)He knows your needsSo take no thoughts on what you lost (God will)God will restore, and this is how I’m sureIf He did it before He can do it againSame God right now, same God back then ...If w...  Read More

Romans 5:5: "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."In the times we live riddled with fear, divisiveness, violence and death the security of hope is fading for many people.  One of the great privileges and responsibilities that we have in this world is to be messengers of the hope that is in the true and living Go...  Read More

Scripture: Luke 24:36-43 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” 37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have fl...  Read More

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1 (KJV) – And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.Many times, when trouble befalls a person he says, “I was in the wrong place at the wrong time”. However, I su...  Read More

Scripture:  Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV) - So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.History has a way of repeating itself. Not just in our day-to-day living, but in our spiritual lives too. How many times have you said, “Why do I keep going through the same thing over and o...  Read More

Scripture:  Psalms 78:35 – They remembered that God was their rock, and the Most High God their redeemer.The word “rock” is used over 24 times in Psalms with reference to God.  “Jehovah is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I will take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower (Psalms 18:2).  I understand the use of “rock” after I read its ...  Read More

Scripture: James 5:7-11 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be [c]condemned. Behold, the Judge is st...  Read More

Scripture:  Galatians 3:11 - Now it is evident that none are justified before God by the law, for 'the righteous shall live by faith.Ours is a 'done' salvation first, not a 'do it' salvation first.  Unlike most other beliefs where doing comes before done, or put another way, sanctification precedes justification, we have a justification which comes before sanctification. This means that God acts f...  Read More