Looking again at the promise of joy we find a classical verse in Nehemiah 8:10, where the returnees from captivity assemble in the open square and Ezra the priest reads extensively from the law of God with a group of Levites meticulously explaining the meaning. This apparently produced sorrow for breaking the law, and repentance, […]
Jesus promised joy to His disciples (including you and me) in spite of the fact that they would be facing many trials and difficulties, even persecutions, and that there would be adverse circumstances in the world in which we live. The key to having this joy is that of knowing Him, and abiding in Him. […]
The Bible says in Philippians 4:7 “the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” There is no storm in life so tempestuous that the words and presence of Jesus cannot bring peace into it. The disciples experienced this firsthand in a storm so severe they thought […]
God is a God of rest to those who follow after Him. God’s rest is threefold: there is rest for everyday life amidst the turmoil, strife, and difficulties of this present world; there is rest for that spiritual quest that is within us that cries for a relationship with Him; and there is an eternal […]
In Revelation 2:7, Jesus promises, “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” The first time we see this tree is in the Garden of Eden, in Genesis 2:9, where “…the tree of life also (was) in the midst […]
In Psalm 16:11 David said, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” David did not find his walk with God to be drab, dull, boring, or wearisome; rather he found it to be exhilarating and exciting! As you read and […]
The need for companionship is basic in the human heart. I doubt that there are many, if any, who are true “loners” at heart; oh some may appear as a “loner” due to inferior feelings, bashfulness, or embarrassment over something in the past, but deep down in the heart there is a desire and a […]
Throughout the Scripture God promises strength to His people for every day and for every circumstance of life. In Ephesians 6:10-18, that famous portion showing us the armor that is available to us, armor that we must avail ourselves of if we would be victorious, we read, “Be strong in the Lord, and in the […]
Psalm 34:4 says, “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears (Hebrew fright).” Someone has observed that there are 365 “fear not’s” in the Bible; if so, then there is one for everyday of most years. The Bible clearly says “God has not given us the spirit of […]
This world is filled with terror, anxiety, uncertainties, and disasters; if our eyes are focused on these, they can become overwhelming. Do you remember the story of Peter walking on the water? When his eyes focused on the surroundings, instead of on Jesus, he began to sink, Matthew 14:30. God has promised to be with […]