That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.2 Corinthians 12:10 Saying, “For when I am weak, then I am strong,” seems contradictory. How can you be both weak and strong at the same time? Right before … Read more
but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God. 1 Peter 4:16 Christ-followers today generally refer to themselves as Christians. But that wasn’t so in the early church. In fact, it’s possible the word “Christian” was only used by unbelievers to mock believers. At … Read more
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.John 3:16 When you think of God as your Deliverer, what comes to mind? It might be when He rescued you from a difficult situation or the pit of despair. Maybe He … Read more
…”There’s a cloud as small as a man’s hand coming up from the sea.”1 Kings 18:44 Elijah (really, it was God) had just finished defeating the prophets of Baal, and the people’s hearts had turned back to God. It was a good day! Elijah knew God would send the rain now because the whole point … Read more
Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Arise,go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there:behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.1 Kings 17:8-9 We continue our story of God’s prophet, Elijah, who has been at the brook Cherith because God told him to go there and … Read more
And the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Go away fromhere and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith…1 Kings 17:2-3 Elijah had just finished telling the king it wouldn’t rain again until he said the word. As the Bible describes it, he walked right in and declared his message, which … Read more
Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.”1 Kings 17:1 The first we hear about the prophet Elijah is when he shows up … Read more
For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates to dividing soul and spirit,joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.Hebrews 4:12 Scripture is God’s very words. James 5:16 tells us that the earnest prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. And … Read more
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him…John 6:44 Why does it matter if God draws people to Jesus? Because the Bible tells us that no one seeks after God on their own (Rom 3:11). If God didn’t draw people, nobody would believe the Gospel. No one would receive … Read more
who desires all people to be saved andcome to a knowledge of the truth.1 Timothy 2:4 Paul says praying for everyone, including those in authority, is good and pleases God, our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and understand the truth (1 Tim 2:1-4). Their prayers were also so they might live quiet and … Read more