Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. . . . and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:11, 17, ESV). In the construction world, nothing good is built without a […]
Everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith (1 John 5:4, esv). “Trees don’t grow to the sky,” economists sometimes say. This expression suggests that things in life reach a maximum rate of return, above which they’re not able to achieve any […]
From that time Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17, esv). Repent is such an Old Testament word, right? We picture grizzled prophets, screeching at guilty sinners.That couldn’t be the heart of our sweet Jesus, could it? Actually, we’d be so wrong to think repentance isn’t of […]
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain (Psalm 127:1a, esv). There’s no pain like family pain. “Unless the Lord builds the house,” the house will be built in vain and filled with pain. Family life is delightful and dynamic if prioritized, but difficult and draining if neglected. If life […]
Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31, esv). It was a dark and stormy night—like the cliché opening of a novel. In this case, it fits. Between three and four o’clock in the morning, the disciples got […]
“Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt” (Numbers 14:3, esv)? Have you ever wondered what part of “Promised Land” they didn’t understand? Israel’s whole objective, after packing […]
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. —Colossians 3:23-24 Paul’s words in these verses are so practical we may gloss over their radical nature. Serving Christ isn’t just about obvious […]
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6, esv). If you’re a follower of Jesus—if by faith you have turned from your sins and received His forgiveness—I have news for you. God is after you. He’s still pursuing […]
And Jacob was left alone (Genesis 32:23, esv). Time alone is key in the life of a believer. Time alone allows for God to confront you. Let me illustrate. Say you have a friend who’s watching what he eats. Your friend asks you to hold him accountable for any food that goes into his mouth, […]
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16–17, esv). The greatest verse about biblical inspiration is also a great verse about biblical application. Second Timothy 3:16–17 not […]