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They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the Lord your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.” - 2 Chronicles 20:20 (NASB)

Here we see some old, formidable enemies that arose against Jehoshaphat. Who were these enemies? Interestingly, all three enemies were distant relatives. The Meuranites were Edomites who came from Esau, Jacob’s twin brother. The Moabites and Ammonites…  ( Click for more )

They rose early in the morning and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa; and when they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the Lord your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.” - 2 Chronicles 20:20 (NASB)

We understand the need for trust between Marines, between police officers or between firemen. Yet we often forget the need for trust in d’vekut (the mystical relationship between God and man). But trust betrayed will founder any relationship.…  ( Click for more )

Then God spoke all these words, saying, I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing loving kindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep…  ( Click for more )

Then God spoke all these words, saying, I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing loving kindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep…  ( Click for more )

Then God spoke all these words, saying, I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing loving kindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep…  ( Click for more )

The night is almost gone, and the day is near Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. - Romans 13:12 (NASB)

It was just another night[1] like millions of nights before it. Kings were issuing decrees, busily consolidating their power. Normal people were working their jobs, completely focused on making money, feeding their families, talking to their friends and waiting for their ship to come in. So common – so normal.

It’s interesting that Luke focuses on the night before Christ’s coming. I wonder if it’s related…  ( Click for more )

Then God spoke all these words, saying, I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing loving kindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep…  ( Click for more )

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. – John 1:1-3 (NASB)

Imagine having whole worlds for your playground! John described the Son of God as the Word that God used to create all things. Can you picture Jesus, the first incarnate being in the universe, speaking and causing light to appear? Can you hear His voice ring out causing frighteningly, beautiful angels to roar into existence?

He…  ( Click for more )

And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read…And He said to them, "No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me, 'Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we heard was done at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.'" And He said, "Truly I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown.– Luke 4:16,23-24 (NASB)

When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. – Mark 2:1 (NASB)

Matthew says that leaving…  ( Click for more )

So all these curses … shall become a sign and a wonder on you and your descendants forever. Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and a glad heart, for the abundance of all things; – Deuteronomy 28:45-47

There once was a poor Christian named Abish who lived in grinding poverty. But he never complained. Instead, he remained satisfied with whatever little he had. He responded to everything – suffering included – by saying “Everything that God does is for good.” His face radiated joy at all times; he was happy, cheerful and exuded…  ( Click for more )

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. - Revelation 3:15-16

In the 18th century, smallpox was a killer. Those infected would become covered in horrible pustules and die a painful death. Those who were fortunate enough to recover were left with ugly scars called “poc marks” on their skin.

Lady Mary Wortley Montagu had seen people in Turkey deliberately infect themselves with a mild form of smallpox in order to develop immunity…  ( Click for more )

For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father – Colossians 1:9-12a (NASB)

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve…  ( Click for more )

Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but they still won’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven. - Matthew 7:21

We celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ on Christmas. But is it really His birth we should celebrate or His life? What if the Master had been born, but then took the devil up on his offer to make the stones into bread, or to seize the rule of the kingdoms of the earth, or to do some fantastically publicized but self-glorifying deed? It is because…  ( Click for more )

He has been attacked by archers, who shot at him and harassed him. But his bow remained strong, and his arms were strengthened by the Mighty One of Jacob (in Hebrew Abhir), the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel. May the God of your ancestors help you; may the Almighty bless you with the blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the earth beneath, and blessings of the breasts and womb. May the blessings of your ancestors be greater than the blessings of the eternal mountains, reaching to the utmost bounds of the everlasting hills. – Genesis 49:23-26

Talk about tough…  ( Click for more )

I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned.If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples. – John 15:5-8 (HCSB)

Probably the greatest drive in women is the need to bear children. It is so common…  ( Click for more )

But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my steps nearly went astray. For I envied the arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have an easy time until they die, and their bodies are well-fed. They are not in trouble like others; they are not afflicted like most people…Did I purify my heart and wash my hands in innocence for nothing?...When I tried to understand all this, it seemed hopeless until I entered God’s sanctuary. Then I understood their destiny. – Psalm 73:2-5,13, 16-17 (NASB)

Why? Why do good men die young? Why do parents have to bury their…  ( Click for more )

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do…  ( Click for more )

Even when you do ask, you don’t get it because your whole motive is wrong – you want only what will give you pleasure. James 4:3

One of the toughest areas of prayer is introspection – looking deep into my heart and trying to determine what are my motives. Jeremiah 17:9 says “The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” If you are a Christian wife and are praying for your husband’s salvation, why are you praying? Is it really to see him come to know the Lord, or is it because your life…  ( Click for more )

Then Joshua said, “Remove the rocks covering the opening of the cave and bring the five kings to me.” So they brought the five kings out of the cave—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon. Joshua told the captains of his army, “Come and put your feet on the kings’ necks.” And they did as they were told. “Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged,” Joshua told his men. “Be strong and courageous, for the Lord is going to do this to all of your enemies.” - Joshua 10:22-26

The first time God commanded…  ( Click for more )

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold. - Psalm 18:2

The citizens of Feldkirch, Austria, didn't know what to do. Napoleon's massive army was preparing to attack. A council of citizens was hastily summoned Easter Sunday to decide whether they should try to defend themselves or display the white flag of surrender.

The pastor rose and said, "Friends, we have been counting on our own strength, and apparently that has failed. As this is the day of our…  ( Click for more )

“You have nothing in common with us in building a house to our God; but we ourselves will together build to the Lord God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia has commanded us.” - Ezra 4:3

Around 537 BC, King Cyrus issued a decree to rebuild God’s temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 1). The Jews, who had been taken into Babylonian captivity by King Nebuchadnezzar years earlier, gathered and returned to Israel, each to their own city. They went back through the records and determined who among them were qualified to be priests (Ezra 2). Then with huge fanfare,…  ( Click for more )

But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. – Matthew 6:6 (NASB)

If I have learned one thing as a husband, it is the importance of having regular conversations with my wife. But if I have learned one thing as a father of five children, it is the near impossibility of finding private time to do this.

The importance of regular communication with God cannot be overestimated. It allows us to make sure that we are on the right track. The Teacher…  ( Click for more )

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. – 1 Peter 5:8-9

There once was a king named Saul, who stood head and shoulders above all the people in his kingdom. He was tall, broad-shouldered and good looking. He came from a well-respected family and everyone looked up to him (figuratively as well as literally).[1]

But when asked, Saul would…  ( Click for more )

As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him. – Mark 1:16-20 (NASB)

Being a disciple…  ( Click for more )