The Air We Breathe

All Scripture is inspired by God   2 Timothy 3:16 Inspired – Shakespeare’s Hamlet is inspired.  So are Mozart’s concertos and Beethoven’s symphonies.  The Taj Mahal is inspired architecture.  Is that what we mean when we say that Scripture is inspired?  Do we really mean that it is exceptional, uplifting, energizing and invigorating?  Is Scripture inspired…

Opportunity Knocks

Pray without ceasing.   1 Thessalonians 5:17 Without Ceasing – As a child, I spent time at summer Bible camp.  One of the big prizes given at the end of the camp was a reward for memorizing the most verses of the Bible.  John 11:35 and this verse were on everyone’s list.  Had we understood the…

The Double Conditional

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.   John 15:7 Abide – “If you abide in Me.”  Yesterday gave us an exquisite opportunity to do a fearless faith inventory.  Do we really have an intimate bond with Jesus that allows no…

The Answer to Answered Prayer

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.   John 15:7 Abide – Have you ever prayed for something but it didn’t happen?  Have you begged God for an answer but heard nothing?  Have you ever asked, “Why?” but never understood?  Jesus…

Divine Exclusivity

Put me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm.  For love is as strong as death, jealousy is as severe as Sheol; its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD.  Song of Solomon 8:6 Jealousy – Are you the jealous type?  Before you deny this denigrated…

Love’s Identity Card

Put me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm.  For love is as strong as death, jealousy is as severe as Sheol; its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD.  Song of Solomon 8:6 Seal – If Ezekiel shows us what the corruption of sex looks…

Sexual Idolatry

She lusted after their paramours, whose flesh is like the flesh of donkeys and whose issue is like the issue of horses   Ezekiel 23:20 Flesh – This world is drowning in sex.  Four million Internet porn sites.  One million people each year trafficked in forced sexual slavery.  Continued abuse of children and women in dozens…

Delivery Options

Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need   Hebrews 4:16 Mercy and Grace – How does God answer your prayers?  Does He provide exactly what you asked?  Or does He give precisely what you really need? …

Timing Is Everything

Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need   Hebrews 4:16 In Time Of Need – What’s good about need?  When help arrives.  Help too soon remains unused and unappreciated.  Help too late is wasted effort.  But…

The Believer’s First Amendment

Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need   Hebrews 4:16 Confidence – Believers have rights.  But let’s be clear about them.  Not a single one is granted by the government.  All the rights of a believer…