“But, O Lord of hosts, You who test the righteous, And see the mind and heart” (Jeremiah 20:12 NKJV).

October 12, 2020

TO TRULY KNOW THYSELF ONE MUST KNOW THY GOD Jeremiah cried out to God, proclaiming Him as the One who tests and sees the mind and heart of man. Jeremiah was under constant attack by his brethren for the prophecies the Lord gave him to preach. His plea to the Lord was that his enemies’

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 NKJV).

October 11, 2020

WE SORROW BUT NOT WITHOUT HOPE The apostle Paul described believers who had died as having “fallen asleep” in Jesus. For them death is like sleep, a transitional state where one closes his eyes in this world and opens them in the next. Having given the Thessalonians this description, Paul encouraged them not to “sorrow

“Oh, do not remember former iniquities against us! Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us, For we have been brought very low.” (Psalm 79:8 NKJV).

October 9, 2020

HOW LOW MUST YOU GO? The Psalmist cried out to God that he and his people had been brought very low. They had hit rock bottom and could not get up without God’s help. He prayed that God would no longer remember their sins and that He would show them tender mercy. He begged God

“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.” (Colossians 4:5 ESV).

October 8, 2020

DO YOU REDEEM THE TIME WITH THOSE OUTSIDE THE FAITH? Live with godly wisdom toward those who are outside the faith. Let them see Christ in you. Remember that you were once an “outsider” too, but Christ has brought you near. Season your conversation with grace, asking the Spirit to give you wisdom on how

‘Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me”‘ (Jeremiah 9:23-24 NKJV).

October 7, 2020

OUR GLORY IS IN CHRIST JESUS Human wisdom, strength and riches are the criteria by which we judge success, they are the attributes we boast of and depend upon. Indeed, it is these three that shape societal pecking order. Yet, God warned that such fleshly boasts would not save Israel from the coming judgment. The

“In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; My soul refused to be comforted” (Psalm 77:2 NKJV).

October 5, 2020

WHEN DO YOU PRAY? When do you seek the Lord? The psalmist spoke of a day when he “sought the Lord” as a “day of my trouble.” He described his trouble sleeping and the state of his soul which seemed beyond comfort and encouragement. On such a day, he “cried out to God” (v.1).  

“All things were created through Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16 NKJV).

October 4, 2020

LIFE’S MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION ANSWERED Most philosophers would say that the most important question is: “What is the meaning of existence?” More specifically, “Who am I and what is my purpose?” Or as the French would say, what is our “raison d’être?” (“reason of being”).   In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, the central question

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8 NKJV).

October 3, 2020

WHAT KINDS OF THOUGHTS FILL YOUR THINKING? As the apostle Paul closed his letter to the Philippians, he urged them to always rejoice in the Lord. He gave them a couple of spiritual strategies for joyful living. One, was that they should turn their worries into prayers, not being anxious about anything, but praying about

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body” (Philippians 3:20-21 NKJV).

October 2, 2020

THE PERFECT BODY YOU ALWAYS DESIRED This is what we believe, that the Resurrected One will return and our bodies will be transformed to be like His. Christ is the “firstborn” (Greek: “prototokos”) from among the dead, the “prototype” for the glorified bodies that we will receive at His return. Those who believe will have

“It is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all Your works” (Psalm 73:28 NKJV).

October 1, 2020

DRAWING NEAR TO GOD Do you “draw near to God” every morning? Do you take a moment to lift your eyes above your circumstances to contemplate His holiness, to read His Word, to seek His direction, and to receive a fresh filling of His Spirit? Drawing near to God, we put our “trust” in Him