The New Testament answers these questions in Revelation 1:4-5 (ESV):John says to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.Jes

"And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the Lord gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him. And the Lord discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lig

1. Envy is a window on the true treasures of our heart. Oh sure, we would all like to think that we love God above all else. We all want to believe that his plan is more important to us than anything we would plan for ourselves. We would like to assume that what God promises us is more precious to us than anything we could ever set our eyes on. But

The younger son’s return takes place in the very moment that he reclaims his sonship, even though he has lost all the dignity that belongs to it. In fact, it was the loss of everything that brought him to the bottom line of his identity. He hit the bedrock of his sonship. In retrospect, it seems that the prodigalhad to lose everything to come

1. Speaking to God: AdorationSpeaking to GodFor the first division of your time, you can take time to pray according to the acronym ACTS. Each of those letters stand for a specific theme of your prayers to God: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication.AdorationA great way to begin your half day of prayer is to spend some personal time in w

A few years ago, I found a brand new, in-the-box bread making machine at a Goodwill store. Of course I bought it. My family enjoyed fresh bread for weeks until I lost the beater and the machine went into the closet. I found the bread-making process fascinating, especially the action of the yeast on the nature of the dough. A very little bit of yeas

God says those who don’t know his will are unwise, and it is God’s will that we be filled with and controlled by his Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:17-18). James 1:5 says we don’t have wisdom because we don’t ask for it—so prayer is critical in seeking and living the will of God. When we are controlled by the Spirit, we show it in certain ways. We will n

1. Walk with God.By “walk with God,” I mean that you should consider going on regular walks each week in which you pray while you are walking. Some people go for “prayer walks” around their neighborhood for the purpose of praying for their neighbors. I personally like to walk on the treadmill regularly, and I often spend that time praying while I’m

6. Release those who have cursed you.We release others through forgiveness. Forgiving others frees us to live victoriously in God's blessing.7. Repent of any cursing you have done to others.Christians' words should only be a source of blessing (James 3:8-11; 4:11). Speaking evil of believers is a characteristic of non-believers (1 Pet. 2:12; 3:16).

5. Ask your elders to make it their responsibility to ask him and his wife about their marriage. Those who help a church's pastor lead the congregation should themselves have strong marriages. As they will stand in account with the pastor for the souls of the congregation (Hebrews 13:17), it would be prudent of them to encourage the health of the p

We note in the context for this passage that it follows the full layout of the armor Christians wear for the spiritual warfare they conduct in this world. After being adequately alerted and suitably armored, we are ready to pray.You know the old jokes about the old maid English teachers. Well, I used to be an English teacher and I can tell you, any

Be Alert to Evil“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9 NIV)."Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." (Proverbs 4:23 NIV)Are you surprised that love hates evil? Evil here means harmful in effect. Some things may be evil for me but not for you. Credit cards help some people keep t

The Old Testament develops its idea of a Messiah (eventually clarified as the ultimate heir of David) in the light of these components. The earliest strands of the messianic idea speak of an offspring who will undo the work of the Evil One and bless the Gentiles by bringing them into his kingdom (Genesis 3:15; Genesis 22:17-18; Genesis 24:60); the

In verse 12 the psalmist said that Israel was no longer defended. There was danger from both internal and external heathen powers. Today godless, violent forces come against America—from both outside and within. Corrupt politicians and clueless pundits mock God's principles and those who honor them. God has turned Himself against us because of our

1. God created the angels before He created anything else in the universe.The angels watched God work and shouted for joy at the results of the creation (Job 38:4-7). 2. All of the angels were created simultaneously.They are unable to procreate. (Matthew 22:30). The number of angels has always been constant. 3. The number of angels is incomprehensi

At this point James, head of the Jerusalem church, speaks a summary conclusion (Acts 15:13-18). He suggests that a letter be written from the council to the Gentile churches (Acts 15:19-20), and this is agreed to as a result of the Spirit's leading and the body's concurring (Acts 15:28). Circumcision is not to be a requirement for the Gentile belie

8. A. Luke 2:14.9. D. The word means “army” - literally thousands. Now, since there was a “multitude” of the heavenly army” (hosts), there could easily have been from 10,000 - 100,000 angels there that night! No wonder the shepherds were “sore afraid"! 10. D. Another trick question. There is always snow on Mt. Hermon. .11. C. .12. C. The word “Magi

This truth was going straight to my heart by the power of the Holy Spirit! I not only heard the words, but I understood them. My inward man leaped for joy when the Spirit of God illumined my understanding about righteousness. He convinced me of the truth, and I was set free!If you struggle with a poor self-image and a constant feeling of condemnati

When Paul said, "To live is Christ," he was speaking of the fact that he had an interest in the things of this life as well. A few verses later, he said, "For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you" (verses Philippians 1:23 NKJ

Human beings are full of questions: What does my future hold? Who will protect me and provide for me? How can I find the truth? Does truth even exist? How can I be fulfilled? When we feel confused, we search for answers. And when we feel beaten down—by adverse circumstances, by the forces of fate, or simply by the unpredictable movements of everyda