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Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. Psalm 119:1–3 (NLT)
The introductory verses in Psalm 119 describe a path of success for anyone following God. Simply put, it is wholehearted obedience and allowing no compromise with evil. The way is not always easy; it can be challenging to find traveling companions.
Being ful...
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. Romans 12:4–5 (NLT)
When we asked Jesus to forgive our sins and we accepted his gift of salvation, we became a member of the great and glorious body of Christ. There is also an expression of the body of Christ at the local level; we are many members with many different backgrounds, gifts, interests, and abilities. It is a mystery...
Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.” Hosea 6:3 (NLT)
For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised. Hebrews 10:36 (CSB)
In the great hymn Amazing Grace, John Newton gave us these words: “Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”...
Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?” “O Sovereign Lord,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.” Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord! Ezekiel 37:3–4 (NLT)
Dem bones Dem bones Dem dry bones
Dem bones Dem bones Dem dry bones
Dem bones Dem bones Dem dry bones,
Hear the word of the Lord.
A Situation Beyond Hope?
We know that God is our healer. We believe tha...
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Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. Proverbs 31:8–9 (NLT)
Is there anything complicated in understanding the meaning of these verses? I favor the NLT “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,” but another good translation (CEB) gives us, “Speak out on behalf of the voiceless.” But speaking out or speaking up is not enough. It goes on to say, “ensure j...
We have the same faithful spirit as what is written in scripture: I had faith, and so I spoke. We also have faith, and so we also speak. 2 Corinthians 4:13 (CEB)
There is a strong connection between faith and speaking. It is not speech that merely fills the air with sounds; when we speak in faith, seas will part, and God will move mountains. Many people misunderstand faith, and as a result, it is misused and abused. Faith is a gift, but it can also grow.
There is no question regarding the i...
Let every word you speak be drenched with grace and tempered with truth and clarity. Colossians 4:6 (TPT)
It does not take a genius to observe a lack of grace demonstrated in our world today. Speech in all segments of politics, education, science, society, and even sports is intentionally polarizing. There is minimal effort to find common ground.
Against this background, Paul’s words to us that our “speech always be seasoned with grace” should resonate among God’s people as we remember ou...
The godly speak wise words and promote justice. The law of their God controls their thinking; their feet do not slip. Psalm 37:30–31 (NET)
All wisdom is not the same. Or, stated differently, the wisdom that comes from God far exceeds any so-called wisdom that this world has to offer. The challenge that we face is in the discernment of wisdom. There is a lot of noise today, and many people claim to be showing us wisdom, but how can anyone know for sure?
Before we can speak wise words, we mus...
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Ephesians 4:15 (NLT)
Have you ever heard someone say, “Everyone has their own truth?” What exactly does that mean? Logically, if that were true, the case could be made that there is no truth, no objective standard to anything. The opinion is confused with truth. Everyone may be entitled to their own opinion, but that does not make it true. When someone advocates t...
And they called them in and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the Name of Jesus. Acts 4:18 (NET)
The Name of Jesus is beautiful. It is a mighty name. But it is also a controversial name. Tyrants and dictators have tried to stamp out the Name of Jesus without success. In the Name of Jesus, demons tremble. We see people healed in the Name of Jesus. And perhaps the greatest miracle of all, salvation, is offered through the Name of Jesus. The song says it well: “There’s Something About...
Jesus said to everyone, “All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23 (CEB)
What does it mean to “take up our cross?” Some people see it as a burden, such as a physical challenge or a complicated relationship. People would describe something in their life and tell you it is “their cross to bear.” But does that relate to Jesus’ call for us to take up our cross and follow him?
The common perception is that to carry or take up “ou...
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They will look up to heaven and down at the earth, but wherever they look, there will be trouble and anguish and dark despair. They will be thrown out into the darkness. Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. Isaiah 8:21–9:1 (NLT)
Words are fascinating—all words, really, but especially words that indicate a change of direction or purpose. When times are difficult, there is a tendency toward despair. Whether we are speaking of illness, war, economic depressio...