Was your cup filled today? If the words of God had special meaning for you, please share your reflections in the comments section at the end of each post. We would love to hear Christ's impact on you.

“And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics.” (Luke 9:1-3 ESV) Chapter 9 begins with Jesus sending his 12 apostles out to proclaim the “Kingdom of God” and perform healings. As you read this section, you’ll notice that Jesus tells

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4 ESV) Being humble is a virtue that is not easy for many. Pride leads to trouble with both others and the Lord. Being proud of money, proud of status, and proud of anything- even being proud of our children can be taken too far. God does not like the proud. In Jam

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27 ESV) There are many self-identified Christian denominations, and some do not believe in the Trinity. In those circles, the Holy Spirit is sometimes vie

“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27 ESV) There are many self-labeled Christian denominations, many of which do not believe in the Trinity of our God. The Holy Spirit is viewed separately

“And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has

O Lord, in prayer I launch far out into the eternal world, and on that broad ocean my soul triumphs over all evils on the shores of mortality. Time, with its gay amusements and cruel disappointments never appears so inconsiderate as then. In prayer I see myself as nothing; I find my heart going after You with intensity, and long with vehement thirst to live to You. Blessed be the strong gales of the Spirit that speed me on my way to the New Jerusalem. In prayer all things her

“ Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (John 17:1-3 ESV) And this is eternal life, according to Jesus, as written by John. In His hour, Christ was preparing to die. He knew what was coming, how, who, and why He would be murdered upon the

Lord of immortality, before whom angels bow and archangels veil their faces, enable me to serve Thee with reverence and godly fear. Thou who art Spirit and requirest truth in the inward parts, help me to worship Thee in spirit and in truth. Thou who art righteous, let me not harbour sin in my heart, or indulge a worldly temper, or seek satisfaction in things that perish. I hasten towards an hour when earthly pursuits and possessions will appear vain, when it will be indiffere

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13 ESV) Most Christians will tell you that it is easier to have hope despite the world we live in when we know Christ as our Savior. The Holy Spirit gives us this hope in our justification, and yes, it is a special kind of hope. Even those who do not know the Lord can hope. They hope for money, a new car, a promotion, all tangible thin

“The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies.” (Nahum 1:2 ESV) In chapter 1, Nahum is announcing God’s plan of wrath against Nineveh. Nahum has been given the same task as Jonah. We know that when Jonah pronounced God’s intent to destroy Nineveh, the people repented in sack cloth and ashes. So, what happened? Jonah delivered his message around 760 BC; Nahum, however, was

“In flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” (2 Thessalonians 1:8 ESV) Usually, we write about what it means to know Christ. How He changes lives and His love for His creation - us. Today is about what it means not to know Christ. Paul is speaking about the return of Christ, His second coming. Truly, without Christ, there is great trouble for those in that position. This is not about those who

Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, You have brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see You in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin, I behold Your glory. Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.'" (John 3:16-17 ESV) There is probably no better-known verse in Scripture than John 3:16. We see it everywhere there is a witness to the saving grace of our Lord Jesus. This verse gives the individual with “ears to hear” all they ne

“My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!" (Psalm 119:28 ESV) Scripture is not just for our edification; it is also for strengthening. When we are struggling, no matter what the cause, we should turn to God’s word. Reading about the things God has done throughout history reminds us that we too are not alone. God is with us; the Spirit lives in us. While the Word of God may have been spoken to the prophets, it was recorded for us, and the strength o

“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7 ESV) Genesis 2 is the definitive chapter on mankind. It defines everything that makes us human. Genesis 2:7 tells us that we were created, not a creature of evolution. Not only that we were created in God’s image. When Christ came in the incarnation, He did not have to become a form of creature He was not. We were crea

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” (1Peter 1:3 ESV) Often there are questions about being “ born again.” We can simply look at Nicodemus, who questioned Jesus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he en

“The God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless.” (Psalm 18:32 ESV) Having been delivered from a mass of enemies and the sins of Saul, David wrote this Psalm glorifying God for providing him strength. I find it interesting that David also wrote that God made his way blameless. This is the Old Testament and there are only prophecies and shadows of the coming Messiah. However, we know that God had “set aside” the sins of David. In his adult life there was murde

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17 ESV) There is probably no better-known verse in Scripture than John 3:16. We see it everywhere there is a witness to the saving grace of our Lord Jesus. This verse gives the individual with “ears to hear” all they nee

Great God, in public and private, in sanctuary and home, may my life be steeped in prayer, filled with the spirit of grace and supplication, each prayer perfumed with the incense of atoning blood. Help me, defend me, until from praying ground I pass to the realm of unceasing praise. Urged by my need, invited by Your promises, called by Your Spirit, I enter Your presence, worshipping You with godly fear, awed by Your majesty, greatness, glory, but encouraged by Your love. I am