“For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light” (Psalm 36:9 KJV). Darkness conceals while light reveals. Things are further darkened by darkness while they are illuminated by the light. The Lord speaks His Word in order to guide us through life. His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to…
“I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me” (Psalm 3:5). Sleep is like a form of death. When we sleep, we are no longer in control of our thoughts or body. All is as if it is in the grave without a conscious thought but trusting that at the proper time we will awake. Our dreams…
“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). The Apostle Paul uses the language of an athlete competing for the ultimate prize. Intermediate victories are not something he will settle for because his eyes are on something much greater. They may be used as a means to lead him…
“The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone” (1Peter 2:7). What man often finds most useful, God may reject. And what man rejects God may accept. The materials used by God to build lives, communities, and His Church are not what we would often consider. He builds with character. He makes sure that what is being erected…
”If the Lord can see everything in the world of the dead, He can see in our hearts” (Proverbs 15:11 CEV). God examines the inner-workings of the hearts of men. He is able to observe every secret thought and the development of the mindset of men. It is not just the immediate thought or idea that He directs His attention…
“Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, ’The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me’ ” (Romans 15:2-4). A selfless heart cannot be prefabricated. The fallen nature of man hinders him from becoming altruistic. Yet God is able through one…
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ’Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart’ ” (1Samuel 16:7). God’s eyes are upon the truth in every situation. His judgments are…
“Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart” (Jeremiah 24:7). God does not respond merely to needs. He looks for passion. Even when we think we have the passion to press…
“Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Note the faith released to enable us to initially respond to Him. That is our starting point. There is also a faith that sustains us along the way. When it is difficult and sometimes impossible to see what lies ahead, active faith would…
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path“ (Psalm 119:105). In a dark place, all things seem to be the same. No distinction can be made between a man and a mannequin if both stand together. Things that are false and counterfeit can appear to be more perfect than things that are real in…
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17). The words “good” and “perfect” are given deeper meanings when God is speaking. He does not restrict Himself to our definitions of these terms. There is a goodness that transcends all efforts on our part and remains good even when…
“Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless” (Psalm 60:11). None has ever trusted God so completely that they never had a shadow of doubt. It is in the shadows where we look away from God in search for what appears to be strong but is lacking in content and in character. The challenge came to…