“The worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” MARK 4:18–19 If you are feeling somewhat unmotivated and ineffective today, realize that anxiety nearly always results in a person becoming less productive. When bound by insecurities and apprehensions,…

“God has given Midian and all the camp into his hand.” JUDGES 7:14 Gideon understood fear and hopelessness. Accompanied by a very small army, God called him to defeat the numerous and mighty troops of Midianites. The task seemed absolutely impossible and doomed to failure. Then the Lord gave Gideon the news: his small, insignificant…

“Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” LUKE 17:4 NIV Can you think of a conflict in your past that remains unforgiven? When people wound us, it’s easy for bitterness to creep into our hearts if we…

“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” MATTHEW 17:20 As a follower of Jesus Christ, you are not guaranteed an easy life. You may face many mountains—trials, difficulties, and hardships—throughout…

You were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body. 1 CORINTHIANS 6:20 NKJV There you are, driving down the interstate. And suddenly, there it is—you zoom past a police car. It is a moment of self-realization. Drivers aren’t supposed to surpass the speed limit, and when you see that officer, you feel…

“I am willing; be cleansed.” MATTHEW 8:3 Leprosy was a curse to this poor man. In fact, it was such a painful and terrible disease that people suffering with it were made to wear bells around their necks so others could avoid contact with them and not become infected. It was isolating, humiliating, and absolutely…

“The cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?” JOHN 18:11 Admit it—the reason certain situations bother you so deeply is because you feel out of control. Life hasn’t turned out the way you planned and you’re desperate to regain your influence. Perhaps this was the problem for Peter. After all,…

The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. ROMANS 6:23 NLT Who hurt you this week? Did their actions appear to be intentional? How are you supposed to respond to them? Naturally we all want to retaliate when wronged. We believe that we…

There is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared. PSALM 130:4 NKJV Sometimes well-meaning believers proclaim that their anger is “righteous indignation”—noting that even Jesus overturned the tables of the temple money changers and often rebuked religious leaders. The problem is that righteous indignation is anger directed at an offense committed against God and…

“I know the plans I have for you, . . . plans to give you hope and a future.” JEREMIAH 29:11 Are you aware that God knows exactly where you are and what you are doing right now? Contrary to popular thought, you are not bouncing haphazardly through time and space. The Creator who formed…