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King David is perhaps my favorite character in the Bible. He was known as a "man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:13-15) and yet he sinned miserably. Most people are aware of his sin with Bathsheba, and his futile attempts to cover up his sin. The attempt to cover his sin resulted in another sin: murder. How can a adulterer and a murderer be called a "man after God's own heart?" I believe it is because when he failed, he repented and then turned back to God (see Psalm 51). I love the fact that this man who failed grievously could still be called a man…  ( Click for more )

Let a man so consider us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful (1 Corinthians 4:1,2 NJKV). One of the best things about reading the Bible regularly is I often see common verses in a different light – when they are read in context. The verse above is one such example. Stewardship is something we hear about often, and most of the time it is thought of in terms of finances. Obviously, it is important to be a faithful steward with everything God has given us, including finances. But that…  ( Click for more )

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV). Let’s face it; we all have problems. No matter whether we are rich or poor, bad things happen to everyone. The car breaks down,…  ( Click for more )

I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner – not even to eat with such a person. For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But…  ( Click for more )

Now, therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? (1 Corinthians 6:7 NKJV). “You have to stand up for your rights!” That’s what the world, and often even people in the church say, but is it really true, from God’s perspective? Have you ever considered how standing up for your rights – particularly against another Christian, with unbelievers present -- impacts your witness? The entire sixth chapter of 1Corinthians…  ( Click for more )

Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:14). In my work at a Christian mission organization, I see the process that people go through when raising support for the purpose of going to the mission field. For some, it seems to come easily. For others, it’s an uphill battle. The interesting thing is, those who struggle are no less called than those who don’t. They may just not be gifted when it comes to raising money. I’ve also seen churches that struggle financially. Some may struggle due…  ( Click for more )

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some ( 1 Corinthians 9:19-22 NJKV). There is often a great barrier between…  ( Click for more )

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear ( 1 Corinthians 10:12,13 NKJV). Have you ever been caught off guard by temptation? I have! The worst thing about being hit with temptation seemingly out of nowhere is that when you’re not prepared for it, it is easy to give in to it. We’re the most vulnerable when our…  ( Click for more )

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight, not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should not become disqualified ( 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NJKV). “Why oh why did I ever want to run this race?”…  ( Click for more )

Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know ( 1 Corinthians 8:2 NKJV ). I’m a big advocate of Bible study. I’d wonder about a church that didn’t provide people opportunities to study the Word. And I’m concerned about churches with very little in-depth teaching. Bible study is something we all need! Unfortunately, a possible danger of doing Bible study is that we can become proud by the knowledge…  ( Click for more )

Those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary (1 Corinthians 12:22 NKJV). “You’re going to have to use one of those scooters,” my husband said as we pulled into the grocery store parking lot. “I am not!” I declared. In spite of my bold declaration, by the time I managed to painfully hobble from the car to the store entrance, I had to admit that my husband was right – I was going to have to use the scooter. It seemed like such a minor thing, really. A broken toe. How could such a small thing cause such pain, and be…  ( Click for more )

For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world ( 1 Corinthians 11:31,32 NKJV). Who likes to be judged? I know that I sure don’t! But judgment happens to everyone, one way or another. The good news is, we have options regarding who will judge us, and how we will be judged. In fact, we have the option of judging ourselves! And if we judge ourselves, we don’t come under the judgment of others. The bad news is, judging ourselves is not easy. To judge ourselves…  ( Click for more )

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love ( 1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV). Faith: Without it, there would be no Christianity, or any other religion in the world for that matter. We talk of coming to faith in Christ, living a life of faith, and often laud those in Scripture and in modern times who are known for their faith. The value of faith cannot be disputed. In fact, Hebrews 11:6 states, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God, must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently…  ( Click for more )

Do not fight against the Lord. . .for you will not succeed (2 Chronicles 13:12 NLT).

Do you ever fight against God’s will for your life? When He tells you to go a certain direction, do you at times go the opposite direction?

Remember the prophet Jonah. God told him to go to Nineveh, but he decided to go as far away from Nineveh as possible. Was he successful in running from God? We all know the answer to that question! In spite of Jonah’s insistence on doing things his own way and going where he wanted to go, he ended up in Nineveh anyway, doing what God…  ( Click for more )

Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. But the Lord said to my father David, “Whereas it was in your heart to build a temple for My name, you did well in that it was in your heart. Nevertheless you shall not build the temple, but your son who will come from your body, he shall build the temple for my name” (2 Chronicles 6:7-9 NKJV).

David had a dream -- to build the temple for the name of the Lord. It was a noble dream, and in fact it pleased the Lord that David had such a dream. God commended him…  ( Click for more )

Lord, who may abide in your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart (Psalm 15:1,2 NKJV).

One thing that struck me with the entire chapter of Psalm 15 is the active nature of the things we are commanded to do. I’d like to encourage you to take some time to look at them and consider how to put them into action in your own life.

This devotional will focus on just one of them -- speaking the truth in our heart.

On any given day, we have thousands of thoughts that go through our…  ( Click for more )

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV).

Discouragement is a common problem in the world today, but it can be even more painfully felt among those who work for the Lord but see little or no results. This is true of both ministry professionals and laypeople.

Paul reminds us of a few things that can help us beat discouragement. The first, and most important…  ( Click for more )

For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: That You may be justified in Your words, and may overcome when You are judged (Romans 3:3,4 NKJV).

In recent months I’ve met a lot of atheists, agnostics, wiccans, and so on. They are very hostile to Christianity and mock those who truly believe the Bible. I’ve even met Christians who do not really hold to the truth of the Bible. It’s been a bit disheartening to come across so many who…  ( Click for more )

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me (1 Corinthians 15:10 NJKV).

Pride is such in insidious creature. It creeps in when we least expect it, and can be very hard to recognize, at least in our own lives. Pride is often the result of thinking that the things we’ve accomplished are of our own doing, but it’s important to realize that absolutely every good thing in our lives is a direct result of God’s grace.

Do have…  ( Click for more )

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not of ourselves (2 Corinthians 4:7).

When I read the Scripture above, the two words that most stood out to me were, "surpassing greatness." I wondered what exactly that means, and how it relates to the rest of the verse. In order to find out, I did two things. First, I looked at the preceding verses in order to determine what treasure was being referred to, then I took a bit of time to study this verse out in the Greek. After doing both of those things,…  ( Click for more )

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy (1 Corinthians 14:1 NKJV).

If you ask most people what the 14th chapter of 1Corinthians is about, they will say, “spiritual gifts,” and they would be right. Many would then go on to tell you their take on the subject of spiritual gifts, and dependent on which side of the fence they are on with this particular topic would point to specific verses in the chapter in order to prove their point.

Unfortunately, however, very few would mention the first two words in the chapter: pursue…  ( Click for more )

To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:7 NKJV).

Many of us strive to know the calling of God on our lives. We question whether or not we should be in a particular ministry, take a certain job, move across the country, and so on.

It is easy to get so caught up in trying to figure out the call of God on our lives in the above mentioned areas (and others) that we often forget the primary call of God on our lives: to be saints.

Although it is not easy to live out, the call…  ( Click for more )

As the Scriptures say, "If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord." When people commend themselves, it doesn't count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them (2 Corinthians 10:17,18 NLT). A lot of us boast, at least on a subconscious level. We may think, after all, that no one will notice the good things we do if we don’t tell them all about it. Because of that, we might go out of our way to let people know about the great thing we did, in subtle or perhaps not-so-subtle ways. At times we may even cloak our boasting in ways that…  ( Click for more )

Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more (2 Corinthians 7:6,7 NKJV).

Discouragement is a common problem in today’s world. The good news is, we have a God who comforts the downcast, and also sends people to comfort them. If you’re in need of comfort today, my prayer is that God Himself will comfort you, and will send others to your…  ( Click for more )