kingdom

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12). After Jonah allowed God to use him, we see the greatest miracle in the book of Jonah: the salvation of the Ninevites. These cruel pagan people experienced one of the greatest revivals in Biblical history. The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. . . . When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. (Jonah 3:5-6, 10) You may doubt your abilities or eloquence in sharing about Christ. You may […]

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). We can trace the origins of our storms to three primary sources. Some storms are of our own making—the direct consequence of sin in our lives. Other storms are caused by the actions of other people, and some are simply intended to test us. Read Jonah 1:4-16. In Jonah’s case, his storm was a direct consequence of his disobedience. When storms result from our sin, we must first repent of that sin before even attempting to work through the consequences.  My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, . . . Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? . . . No discipline […]

“A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity” (Psalm 37:10-11). King Saul was on the hunt, but he wasn’t pursuing another army or some vile enemy of Israel. He was hoping to kill David, the man God had anointed to take his place on the throne. Along the way, Saul entered a cave. Unbeknownst to the murderous king, David crept up slowly behind him and cut off a corner of his robe. It wasn’t until Saul was back out in the wilderness that he heard David shouting from the mouth of the cave: “Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the Lord’s anointed'” (1 Samuel 24:10). Read Psalm 37. Have you ever wondered why some of the world’s most […]

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). When David was just a young man, he killed a giant named Goliath. People revel in victories like David’s. They like to know that it’s not always about who’s bigger, meaner, and better armed. That’s because we all face giants in our lives. Read Psalm 8. These giants are usually not of the nine-and-a-half-foot variety. The giants I’m talking about are the giants of fear, anxiety, worry, discouragement, and despondency. Sometimes they take the form of addiction, restlessness, envy, bitterness, or anger. But whatever they may be, these giants have one purpose in mind: to render the children of the living God ineffective. So, the question is: How do we defeat these giants? In our culture, we often try to understand ourselves and the problems we face without understanding God and His purpose for life. Many churches preach messages that encourage people […]

“As they make music they will sing, ‘All my fountains are in you'” (Psalm 87:7). Read Psalm 87. Psalm 87:7 is about those of us who have been reborn in Christ. Here is what the psalmist said: “As they make music, they will sing, . . .” Sing what? “‘All my fountains are in you.'” Where are your fountains? Are they in material things? Are they in physical fitness? Are they in people—even those who are dearest and nearest to you? Are they in your identity? Are they in your occupation? Are they in your title? Are they in your family name? Are they in your reputation? God’s surrendered sons and daughters know the joy of being able to proclaim, “In Him are all my fountains! They are in Christ alone.” The financial markets may go up and down. Family and friends, even Christian friends, may fail you, but the grace of God will never fail you. The peace of […]

“I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me—Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush—and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion'” (Psalm 87:4). We all want peace. In fact, the ancient people of God in the Old Testament were longing for peace. They looked forward to a day when that peace would be established by God Himself, and Psalm 87 reveals their longing for the peace of God. The psalmist was looking forward to the day when believers from every corner of the globe will come together with love for God and one another. In that day, the holy city will be founded on the Rock of Ages, the Lord Jesus Christ. Any ministry, any church, or any home that is not built on that foundation will crumble. Any foundation other than the Rock of Ages is sinking sand. People will come to God through Jesus Christ from every corner of the globe, from every tongue, […]

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8). How do you respond to fear? Do you run and hide, withdrawing into yourself? Do you try to distract yourself from fear with activities? The correct response to fear is not to surrender to it or to ignore it, but to overcome it with faith in God and absolute obedience to His Word. Scripture tells us, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8). Many people trace their fears back to a loss of control. We experience fear when the stock market fluctuates. We experience fear when […]

The word worship comes from Latin, which, when directly translated, actually gives us worthship. True worship is not what I can get out of God, but showing what God is worth to me. You see, in Christ Jesus, we have already been blessed with “every spiritual blessing” (Ephesians 1:3). In Christ Jesus, we already have “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). In Christ Jesus, we have been “made complete” (Colossians 2:10, NASB). We’ve been given everything; we are co-heirs with Christ—today. Right now, we possess an inheritance that will never spoil, perish, or fade. Joy and contentment in the Christian life don’t come from getting more out of God because God has already given us everything. Joy and contentment come when we take hold of what He has already given us—sonship. Thus Paul tells us that, in view of God’s incredible mercy, we are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices (see Romans 12:1). Paul isn’t talking […]