“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” James 1:13-15 Sin blinds. A decision to sin blinds. Temptation is not sin. I have the power to rebuke it and go on, assuming I belong to Jesus and am filled with His Spirit. God is not tempting me…
Author: Gerald Kure
“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26 We know that people will turn against us because of our belief in and relationship with Jesus. He told us to expect it. We believe His Word, and, with the help of…
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are very serious things. God made us in His image and gave us a speck of His creative power. Believe it or not, like it or not, we frame our world by the words we speak. Are we creating a healthy, prosperous life or are we creating illness and lack? Death talking is a hard habit to break, but we must break it if we are to live a victorious life. First, we need to…
“Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.” Philippians 2:9-10 My husband and I owned a Christian bookstore and I managed it on a full-time basis. It was a difficult time because I had no management experience and the store was handed to us with thousands of dollars in debt, only some of which I was aware. What an unpleasant surprise! A trying time in my life…
“Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise” Proverbs 19:20. We all can fall into the trap of ignoring advice from others. Perhaps we are too occupied with our own thoughts in the moment, or perhaps we feel so strongly about something that we are unwilling to consider a different viewpoint. But when we do these things we struggle to reach our full potential. Haven’t we all been wrong about something before? Can you say for certain that there is not chance it will happen again? The Lord has a way…
‘Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go’ Joshua 1:9 (NIV). There comes different times in life when you must do something new. Perhaps you are excited to give it a try, or perhaps you have reservations. No matter what you’ve set out to do however, the Lord is by your side. What new things have come up in life? Many of us start new jobs, or move to new places. Many have new relationships or relationships reaching an end. So many different things can happen during…
‘Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”’ Genesis 27:41 (NIV). Esau’s anger was misdirected. He had foolishly given away his birthright in a fit of raging hunger (Genesis 25:29-34). Jacob had bribed Esau. He had deviously promised to give his brother a plate of stew if Esau would sell his birthright and in a moment of weakness, Esau agreed. Esau had lost what he most desired, he’d been outwitted by his brother…
‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything’ James 1:2-4 (NIV). There is certainly a joy to be had in seeing something through to completion. Often when we are tasked with jobs in life things do not go perfectly smoothly. This is a fact of life and quite often many of life’s greatest lessons can come from struggle. A big part of growing up is learning…
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” 1 Thessalonians 5:18. As we enter each day we have the opportunity to reflect for a moment upon all that has been given to us. The Lord provides so much that it can sometimes be easy to forget just how many wonderful things He provides. Let us take a moment to consider these things now. Let us give thanks on this day for the family members in our lives. For those who have helped to raise us and have taught us life lessons that have…
“But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me” Micah 7:7 Do you have thoughts about the future that worry you today? Are you waiting to hear back from someone where news could be either good or bad? Is there something in your life that you need to “wait out and see” how it turns out? These types of situations can be frustrating and also anxiety inducing. In these times your thoughts can revolve around the problems you face. They can consume your time and…
‘I shall not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.’ (John 15:15) Dearly beloved, what a wonderful friend we have in Jesus, don’t you agree? He’s all that we can ask for in a friend. He loves selflessly. He helps without any expectations of returns. He hears your gripes and complains. He laughs with you. Cries with you. He doesn’t judge you. He laid down His very life for us.…
‘Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it.’ (1 Corinthians 9:24) Beloved, turn your eyes upon Jesus, for He’s your salvation – the prize of all prizes. He is the answer. He is the way. He is the truth. He is the very personification of our Father’s grace. And He rightfully belongs in the centre of our lives. Whatever your priorities are today, focus first on Jesus, and everything else will come into place. For only one thing is needful…
‘Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches.”‘ (Luke 13:18-19) Dear child of God, it’s time again to give thanks for the small things in your life. The material world often looks down on the small and seemingly weak. Yet God sees things differently. He not only sees the mustard seed, but also the magnificent tree within it. Do you sometimes…
‘But be transformed by the renewing of your minds.’ (Romans 12:2) Here are nine simple words that if heeded have the potential to redirect our behaviour into what is good and wholesome and recreate lives that are pleasing to the Lord. Beloved, is your mind in full alignment with God’s promises? For our thoughts, if aligned with God’s word and the promptings of the Holy Spirit have the power to rewrite the script of our lives. As the proverb aptly says, ‘as a man thinks so he is.’ (Proverbs 23:7) We all have false narratives that we cling to. Sin,…
‘For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ (Luke 14:11) Favored child of God, know that God loves to exalt the humble. For it is in our weakness that God’s grace superabounds. When we come to the end of ourselves, God takes over and shows His strength. He lifts us up to high places. He adorns us with crowns of glory and robes of righteousness. Like the prodigal son, when we humble ourselves and turn to our Father in Heaven, He’ll fling His arms around us in loving embrace. He’ll put a…
‘Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His faithful love endures forever.’ (Psalm 107:1) Dearly beloved, have faith in God’s steadfast love and undying goodness. For truly, His blessings are never-ending, His care is all-encompassing. You can trust in Him. You can lean on Him. You can rest in His love. We do not earn His blessings through the sweat of our brows. We do not earn His favor through our righteousness. We do not earn His love through our works. Instead, it’s all given to us through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, God’s…
‘I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.’ (Psalm 139:14) Beloved, you are truly unique, beautiful, and wonderful in God’s eyes. He loves every detail of your life. All the victories and failures. Every nook and cranny. He sees all and knows all. Yet He accepts everything about us. There is now, therefore, no more condemnation through Jesus Christ our Lord. When Adam and Eve ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, they hid from God. But through Jesus’ perfect work. We can once again come…
‘He said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.”‘ (Luke 12:22) Beloved, there’s no longer any need to worry or strive. In this beautiful parable, Jesus told those who were distracted by the concerns of their life to consider the birds of the air and the plants upon the ground. Consider how God provides all that they need and how they thrive because of His care. Consider for a moment then how they do not grow anxious with their concerns for daily…
‘For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you.’ (Isaiah 41:13) Dear child of God, is anything troubling you today? Whatever it is, know that you’re safely held in God’s Hands. No matter what the world throws at you. No matter what happens. No matter what others attempt to do do you. Nothing can shake your position in Christ. In a perfect world, there would be no pain or struggle. All would be well. But we live in a fallen world flooded with tragedy…
‘Upon the palms of my hand I have written your name.’ (Isaiah 49:16) Dearly beloved, do you know that God loves you so much He’s carved your name upon His palms? So He can look fondly upon it, think of you, and continually bless you. In a culture that is set on rushing about and mostly preoccupied with their own concerns, our names can sometimes be easily overlooked or forgotten. Often we feel like nameless machines valued for what we produce in our workplaces or what we can give to others, rather than who we really are on the inside.…
‘But Moses sought the favour of the Lord, his God. “Oh Lord,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great favour and a mighty hand?”‘ (Exodus 32:11) Favoured child of God, do you know that Jesus is constantly interceding for you? Sitted at the right hand of our Heavenly Father, He’s always praying for you, blessing you, and loving you. Do you remember the story of Mosses and the Israelites? Whilst God was giving Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, the Israelites revelled in atrocities under the leadership of…
‘And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads, they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.’ (Isaiah 35:10) Rejoice beloved, for you have been gifted the perpetual joy of Christ. This is the true joy the transcends the rolling waves of circumstance. The joy of the Lord comes not from externals, but is based on a consistent relationship with Jesus Christ. When our lives are centered on Him, Jesus will help us walk through difficulties without sinking into debilitating lows and manage…
‘But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you.’ (Job 12:7-8) Beloved, do you see the stars declaring the majesty of God? Do you hear the birds singing praises? Do you understand the wonders of God shared by the lilies in the field? Favoured child of God, our Father speaks to us through many ways. Through His word, through our circumstances, and sometimes through others. These are the mediums by…
‘And during the supper, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then… he began to wash the disciple’s feet.’ (John 13:3-4) How was your day favoured child of God? Do you know that our heavenly Father has given you the very keys to the Kingdom of Heaven? In fact, Luke 12:32 tells us that it’s our Father’s good pleasure to give you His Kingdom. In this same…
‘Blessed are those servants whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them.’ (Luke 12:37) Dearly beloved, it’s time to rejoice! For those who are found watchful and prepared for the return of Jesus will be handsomely rewarded. In fact, Jesus says that the Master will serve and wait upon them at a sumptuous banquet he has prepared for them. Our Saviour will wait upon us! Who are we, that we should be served by the Master himself!…
‘When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.’ (John 19:26-27) Mary’s sense of abandonment and angst mounted. Yet, in this moment of overwhelming grief and confusion as her son hung bloodied and battered before her on a rugged cross, Jesus turned and looked tenderly into her face and offered the words that eased her troubled mind and gave her a hope for…
‘And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.”‘ (Luke 12:15) Dearly beloved, how are you measuring your worth today? Is it based on your earthly possessions? Perhaps it depends on what position you hold in your office? Or are you taking into account how other people esteem you? Well, God’s Word says that none of those really matters. So what then does the value of our lives depend on? If Jesus said that who we are is not determined by what…
“O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.” (Psalms 62:8) Isn’t it great to know that there’s someone you can always turn to? To talk about your hopes and troubles, victories and failures. Someone whom you can vent to when you’re frustrated, and celebrate with when you’re joyous. Isn’t it even greater to know that this someone loves you deeply? He cares for you more than anyone else. And not only does He listen to you, He’s also able to help you. To be your refuge. He shields…
“and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.” (Hebrews 12:24) Praise the Lord! For you have been covered by the Blood of Jesus. Unlike the blood of Abel, which speaks of judgement and curses, the Blood Jesus speaks of redemption and blessings. While Abel was unwillingly murdered by His brother, Jesus willingly laid down His life for His brethren. When nothing else seems to work, you can be sure to trust in the Blood of Jesus. It speaks of God’s love for you. It protects you.…
“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.” (Psalms 56:16) Beloved of God, may your heart be filled with joy today. Sing to the Lord a new song. His mercies are new every day. May your spirit break out in song and your lips be filled with praise. For God inhabits the praises of His people. Do not allow your spirit to be downtrodden. No matter what happens in your life today, simply knowing that God is with you is a…
