“Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.” John 6:11 Can you imagine the scene? There they were, gathered along a Galilean hillside as far as the eye could see. So many, in fact, that just the men …
“But Jesus said, ‘Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me’.” Luke 8:46 Jesus, on his way to the home of Jairus to heal his daughter, was stopped in his tracks. As the crowds were pressing in upon Jesus that day, a woman touched Him in such a way that got His …
“I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done, I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people.” Psalm 52:9 What’s in a name? A lot, depending upon who, and why the name is given. In Bible times for example, “last names,” which really weren’t last names in …
“Answer my prayers, O LORD, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful.” Psalm 69:16 Israel wasn’t supposed to lose, and Joshua knew it. I think as believers, we can sometimes get accustomed to loosing and lose sight of the Truth that, “If God is for us …
“And Jesus said to the woman,” “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:50 She had just simply lost herself in worshiping her Savior and it didn’t matter to her who gazed or gawked in contempt. Her singular focus was on the one who had forgiven her. This woman, written about in the …
“When all the jars were full, she said to her son, ‘Bring me another one.’ But he replied, ‘There is not a jar left.’ Then the oil stopped flowing.” 2 Kings 4:6 The widow woman in need of a financial miracle after her late husband had left her drowning in a sea of debt, was given …
“Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So, the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one!” Matthew 12:13 All eyes were on Jesus, but not all were looking to see what great thing He might do next. There were skeptics in the crowd who wanted to do …
“Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. Luke 5:27b Jesus’ reputation was preceding Him. Word had spread like wildfire, as Luke later recorded, that this Jesus of Nazareth was going “about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil.” Peter experienced this goodness first hand when, after Jesus using his boat …
“Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.” Psalm 8:5 Many, through the years, have had a hard time grasping this verse. Even King James, when translating the Bible into English, substituted the word “Elohim,” which means “God,” with the word “Angels.” But, regardless of how hard it …
“And the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” Luke 4:19 I get excited every time I see a rainbow in the sky. When conditions are right and the rays of the sun pierce the clouds, a rainbow can be seen for miles. Many consider it good luck when sometimes a double rainbow is seen. …
“Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.” Luke 2:52 Not much is known about the early life of Jesus, but Luke chapter two gives us just a little peek. One of the things we see is that Jesus had a hunger for the things of His …
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19 From that first angelic encounter when she was told she had been hand-picked by God to deliver the Messiah, to the visit from the shepherds, Mary had experienced a lot in a very short time. I’m sure as a young person …
“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people.” Luke 1:68 Who can forget the Bible story of the time when the donkey talked? I can remember sitting on the edge of my seat in Sunday School as my teacher put up the flannel graph figures depicting the scene …
“For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die.” Psalm 48:14 Most would agree that loyalty is becoming harder and harder to find. It seems that in this age of self-gratification, the only true loyalty we often see is the loyalty people …
“For you have rescued me from death; you have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light.” Psalm 56:13 Everyone could finally breathe a sigh of relief. At the cost of twenty-thousand lives, the rebellion was over. But not everyone was celebrating. As we see in 2 …
Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel? When God restores his people, Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice. Psalm 53:6 The TV show Overhaulin’ had great success on both TLC and the Discovery Channel for several seasons. In each episode the “mark” would be an unsuspecting antique or classic car …
“Abba, Father,” He cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Mark 14:36 Have you ever had those moments in life when things were expanding, yet with that came intense pressure and challenges? Moments when you knew you …
“For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.” Deuteronomy 7:6 It was just a matter of time and Barabbas knew it. Because of the uprising against the Roman Government he had participated in and the …
“Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7 In 2 Samuel David committed the two “biggies.” Not only did he commit adultery, which is pretty bad, but he also committed murder. According to the Levitical Law, David should have been drug out …
“Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures?” ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone’.” Mark 12:10 Any idea what Elon Musk, Michael Jordan, Walt Disney, Elvis and Jesus all have in common? They all suffered great rejection. Walt Disney was fired as a newspaper writer for “not being creative enough.” …
“I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.” Mark 11:23 Walmart is doing their best to win the battle for the online shopper. They …
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.” Mark 10:51 As Jesus was making his way out of the city of Jericho, He heard the cry of Bartimaeus saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” But those closest to Bartimaeus tried to hush him up, yet he yelled out all the …
“Jesus looked at them intently and said, ‘Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God’.” Mark 10:27 The whole congregation stared in amazement as the world’s one-time strongest man, Paul Anderson, had a whole group of men sit on top of a large, ruggedly-built wooden table. As everyone wondered if …
“He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” Mark 9:35 The Daytona 500 was kicking off the NASCAR season and I had looked forward to watching it all week long. I hadn’t watched a NASCAR race …
“For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.” Psalm 108:4 It’s amazing how childhood memories can come back to you from time to time. Just in reading our scripture for today, I was reminded of a marketing campaign that our local NBC affiliate launched way back in the …
“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:21 According to workandmoney.com, “A circa-1500 da Vinci painting of Jesus Christ holding a crystal orb representing the “crystalline sphere” of the heavens sold at auction for $450.3 million.” In the world of art collecting, buyers commonly pay hundreds of thousands, …
“But Jesus said, ‘No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been’.” Mark 5:19 Mark chapter five tells the story of three different people with four different needs. The man from the region of Gerasenes had been bound and tormented by a legion …
“Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:31 In Numbers 14 through 16, the rebellion of the Israelites had reached a new watermark. From their refusal to enter into the Promised Land; to their outright rebellion they had taken God to His limit. There was, however, a remnant of …
“Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” Psalm 36:5 It was just a regular afternoon at the Powell home when, suddenly, Aimee began to complain about a severe headache that continued to worsen. As the excruciating pain became more than she could bear, her husband, Mac, dialed 911 for help. Aimee was rushed …
“Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.” Psalm 36:5 My wife and I were having dinner with her parents some time ago and my mother-in law asked me a question, which I really can’t even remember, and 45 minutes later I wrapped up the answer. LOL! Somewhat …
“And a voice from heaven said, ‘You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy’.” Mark 1:11 Two times we see in scripture where Jesus received love and affirmation from His Heavenly Father. Have you ever stopped to consider why God did that? I have to conclude that God did it because …
“They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.” Luke 24:2 Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome were all on a mission. They wanted to take care of Jesus’ body, giving him the proper burial they felt He deserved. It’s obvious God was behind all of this because He wanted …
“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.” Psalm 19:1 My wife called out to me from our sunroom and said, “Hey, come see this!” As I stepped from the kitchen and looked out the back windows, I could see the most amazing color- filled sky as the sun was setting. Clouds …
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8 In the age of “selfies,” true loyalty has become harder and harder to find. The Apostle Paul defined it as “perilous times” when he wrote to his young protégée Timothy in 2 Timothy …
“As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, ‘Take this and eat it, for this is my body’.” Matthew 26:26 If you’ve ever been betrayed by someone close to you, it can be a very difficult thing to overcome. As …
“I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” Matthew 26:13 In Matthew 26, we see a woman bursting into the room where Jesus was seated as a dinner guest. As she broke open her expensive box of perfume and used it …
“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together’!” Matthew 25:21 Books, blogs and podcasts abound when it comes to the world of investing. Everyone’s looking for that edge, or …
Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me. Psalm 40:11 As news became public about little 3-year-old Casey Hathaway, folks throughout Eastern North Carolina and beyond began to pray. He had wandered away from the backyard and headed into the deeply wooded area of Ernul, …
“The Lord said to my Lord, Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies beneath your feet.” Matthew 22:44 So, what was it that made David so strong in battle? David knew that God was with him and, because of his confidence in God’s ability to give him the victory, …
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Matthew 21:22 Have you ever come across a verse in scripture that seemed so impossible? I mean so impossible that you questioned within yourself, “Lord, how could this possibly be true?” Well, that recently happened to me as I read a scripture, I’ve …
“The Lord is a warrior; Yahweh is his name!” Exodus 15:3 Pharaoh had no idea what was coming. Some believe that he was so full of himself, as king of the most advanced civilization and leader of the world’s most vast and skilled army, that he actually believed he was a god and that the Red Sea …
“Then Moses called all the elders of Israel together and said to them, “Go, pick out a lamb or young goat for each of your families, and slaughter the Passover animal.” Exodus 12:21 Each Israelite family handpicked a lamb and brought into their homes; and they where sure to follow every detail of the instructions the …
“I’ve also done it, so you can tell your children and grandchildren about how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and about the signs I displayed among them—and so you will know that I am the Lord.” Exodus 10:2 Whenever the big train rolled into the city and the Big Top was erected, thousands would …
“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.” Matthew 18:19 Some time ago I was seeing God do some incredible things that were bringing expansion in my life in both business and ministry, and at the very same …
“Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.” Acts 2:2 In Exodus 14 terror gripped the hearts of the Hebrews as Pharaoh and the whole Egyptian army bore down on them. The Israelites had nowhere to go so they cried …
“Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” Matthew 16:18 Quora.com sites that, “In places around the world, the Rock of Gibraltar has always been used as a symbol of strength and …
“Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you.” Proverbs 4:25 When it comes to mowing, you want to keep those rows straight. It just simply makes the yard look so much better when those lines are straight, and for large yards that can be a real challenge. I remember trying hard …
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.” Psalm 18:2 They say that a mama bear with small cubs is something you don’t want to mess with. A North Carolina family discovered this as they let their two dogs out to potty late one afternoon. …
“The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.” Genesis 39:2 From the rebuke of his father, the hatred of his brothers, the false accusations from Potiphar’s wife, and prison; Joseph’s life looked like a complete mess. It was not at all …
“A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. Matthew 12:33 Bill and Bette had no idea what the little farm they had just purchased would one day become. The year was 1953 and the young couple …
“Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. ‘I am willing’, he said. ‘Be healed’!” Mark 1:41 All of the hoops man had to jump through in the book of Leviticus can be exhausting to read, let alone perform. But that’s exactly what God expected from His people in order to receive the forgiveness, healing, and …
“Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.” Matthew 9:35 According to Wikipedia, “A by-product, or byproduct, is a secondary product derived from a manufacturing process or chemical reaction. It is not the …
“As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So, Matthew got up and followed him.” Matthew 9:9 Matthew was missing something, and he knew. Yes, he had the cushy tax collector job that netted him some great cash …
“Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.” Matthew 8:24 The disciples were panic stricken. Several on board were experienced fisherman and boaters, yet this time the storm was greater than their faith in their own personal nautical skills. On top of it all, none of …
“Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, ‘Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.’ And the young servant was healed that same hour.” Matthew 8:13 David had his chance. Saul was right there in his grasp and all David had to do was take Saul out in the darkness of that cave and all of David’s …
“And Abraham said, ‘My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering:’ so they went both of them together.” Genesis 22:8 So, what exactly was God testing when He asked Abraham to take his son and sacrifice him on an alter? Genesis 22: 1 tells us that God was testing Abraham’s faith. …
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5 When our youngest was about ten months old he got into this new thing where he didn’t want his mom to feed him anymore, but instead only preferred to eat what …
So, we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” Hebrews 13:6 Never had the furnace been so hot, but King Nebuchadnezzar, in his anger and rage, ordered that it be fired up seven times hotter than it had ever been. …
The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22 According to Wikipedia, “The California Gold Rush (1848–1855) began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, California. The news of gold brought approximately 300,000 people to California from the rest of the United States and abroad.” People literally picked …
Now faith is the substance of things hoped (expected) for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 Expecting a child is an exciting thing, but I can only imagine what it must have been like for Mary! She knew the truth of how it all happened, but no one else in town was buying …
“So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” Matthew 7:11 I can remember my parents going to great lengths to give us gifts, especially on holidays and birthdays. I remember one Christmas, in particular, …
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 Growing up I was blessed to have two grandmas who each knew how to make some good biscuits, and their specialty was “Cat Head Biscuits.” Now I understand if that name doesn’t sound too appetizing, but those biscuits …
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 This may be one of those analogies that is difficult to relate to, but …
“Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.” Hebrews 4:11 The words “labor” and “rest” aren’t typically associated with one another. Most would consider them two extreme opposites, yet the writer of Hebrews uses these words together to make a life-changing point. In Hebrew, …
“Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.” Hebrews 7:25 Shrouded in mystique and exclusivity the US Supreme Court decides cases that impact American’s day to day lives like none other. And, among all of this mystique is …
“So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.” Hebrews 6:18 The salt air and warm sun set …
“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.” Psalm 105:1 I have to admit the struggle was real. Because I had never heard the word, “Sozo,” before, my first thoughts were, “It couldn’t possibly be true.” Surely having grown up in church my whole life someone; some pastor, …
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith.” 1 John 5:4 I’ll never forget as a young Marine when I really learned for the first time what battle streamers represented. It was at a Change of Command Ceremony when I noticed these brightly, …
But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” Luke 8:46 Mathew, Mark, and Luke all record the amazing story of a woman who had a “specific kind of faith.” She needed healing because she had been sick for twelve years and not a single doctor could help …
“For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.” Titus 2:11 Do you ever stop, from time to time, and think about God’s vast creation? From the sun, moon, and highest, most magnificent mountain to the depths of the sea, it’s all so truly amazing! And all His creation, and every living …
“He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5 Let’s face it, there’s a Simon and a Peter in all of us. There’s that “best side” of ourselves we …
“But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.” 2 Timothy 3:14 If you’re a fan, or familiar with the Carolina Panthers then you’re most likely aware of the team’s rally cry “Keep Pounding.” Just before every …
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 In 1933 at his inaugural address to the nation, newly elected President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt set a new tone for the future to a fearful nation. The famous …
If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. 2 Timothy 2:13 His boots were always shined, his uniform was always crisp and he was always willing and ready to do what needed to be done. He was what we called a “squared away Marine.” As a young Marine at Camp Lejeune, …
“For, at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.” 1 Timothy 6:15 In 2 Kings 11, we see the story of Joash and how, as just a small child, God hid him and his caretaker …
“In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light.” 1 Timothy 5:25 For most of us, when we hear the phrase, “It will all come out eventually,” negative and fearful thoughts rush through our heads. We usually think of something …
“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1 Timothy 4:16 When the flight attendant gives the safety briefing just before take-off, most people tend to look at their phone, a magazine, or stare out the window. But something struck me on a …
“They cried out to you and were saved. They trusted in you and were never disgraced.” Psalm 22:5 Desperate situations can cause one to cry out to God from the depths of despair. And sometimes it can seem in those dark moments that God is nowhere to be found and that our cries for help …
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Have you ever had one of those moments when everything in life was going good, and yet a “funk” was trying to hit you? I’m a pretty positive and upbeat person, but I had one of those moments …
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 “No” is just not a favorite word for most people. Nothing makes a toddler push out their bottom lip and tears run down their face faster than …
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will remain secure and rest in the shadow of the Almighty [whose power no enemy can withstand].” Psalm 91:1 (AMP) In the sparcly populated county in Eastern North Carolina where I live, our 911 Call Center Telecommunicators have undergone some significant training in recent years resulted in lives saved. Not …
“May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:18 Here in the South there’s nothing like a good sandwich. And here, a really good sandwich doesn’t have to be complicated, only a few basic components are necessary. Particularly in the spring and summer, you can choose pretty much any …
“He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 2:14 In 1 Kings 3 and 2 Chronicles 1, Solomon begins his reign as Israel’s third king by worshiping the Lord, and it wasn’t just any kind of worship! …
“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” Colossians 3:1-2 Before mega churches were even considered possible Dr. Robert Schuller pastored of …
“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All …
“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:7 As it opened its doors welcoming retail tenants and shoppers in 1968, The Vernon Park Mall was the pride of …
“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27 The days of strong-armed sales tactics are over. People have grown weary from any attempt to force them into making a purchase. This push back has brought about a lot …
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 Some time ago I came across a book that I’ve known about for years, but something occurred to me that I had never thought about …
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:13 I may have a few moves, but I wouldn’t consider myself much of a dancer. Dancing, however, has been around for ages and, in scripture, we even see dance as a means of worship that …
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6 An article in the New York Daily, recounting the history of the Brooklyn Bridge, sites that, “Emily Warren Roebling (1843-1903) succeeded her father-in-law, John Roebling, …
“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” Ephesians 6:17 “Get your helmet on,” the sergeant barked out, and I could tell his patience was wearing thin. I just wasn’t used to wearing it and it felt heavy and uncomfortable. As a brig guard, it was …
“Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” Ephesians 5:2 NLT As a Marine Corps Pilot and flying for the legendary Blue Angels, Jeff was living his dream. In addition to being a top aviator, Jeff …
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 You’ve heard the phrase, “running around like a chicken with your head cut off.” Well, it should have scarred me for life the day I saw that …
“For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6 After Jesus read from Isaiah 61 in His hometown synagogue, He did something astonishing. Luke 4:20 says, “Then He closed the book, and gave it back to …
“God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan.” Ephesians 1:9 June 20, 2019 was the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing. What began as a presidential challenge from JFK, became a reality 1969. Buzz Aldrin had a plan to celebrate the landing that …
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up”. Galatians 6:9 I have a lot of admiration and respect for the American farmer. They are entrepreneurs who have very few paydays throughout the year, and that’s usually …
“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” Galatians 5:25 I was surprised recently to learn that there are 7,500 different varieties of apples around the world. There are at least 100 varieties of apples being grown and produced commercially right here in the …
“Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.” Galatians 1:4 “Will the real Melvin Purvis please stand up?” That was one of the final lines from an episode of the game show, “To Tell the Truth,” that …
“Praise the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does such wonderful things.” Psalm 72:18 Do you have a giving story? I’ve compiled a few through the years, but none more vivid than this one. I had moved from Eastern North Carolina to the Raleigh area and had gotten myself into somewhat of a financial pickle. …
“For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10b Most folks can remember right where they were the moment they learned the US was under the biggest terrorist attack in our nation’s history. We all stood there in shock, glued to our TV’s, as we saw the first tower fall, and then …
“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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 The giant known as Goliath was issuing threats that had the whole Hebrew Army …
“When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.” 2 Corinthians 10:18 There’s a lot of “self-commendation” going on around us these days. From sports stars bragging about a three-pointer, touchdown, or homerun; YouTubers boasting about their huge number of subscribers; to company CEO’s boasting …
“And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need, and plenty left over to share with others.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 Have you ever found yourself in a place where you felt like you had nothing? That’s exactly how the widow in 2 Kings 4 felt. After her husband …
“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:21 According to workandmoney.com, “A circa-1500 da Vinci painting of Jesus Christ holding a crystal orb representing the “crystalline sphere” of the heavens sold at auction for $450.3 million.” I learned several years ago in real estate school that “the market” …
“For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you. Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2 Sometime ago, a picture posted on Reddit showing a bowl Kellogg’s famous Raisin Bran cereal with only a sparse supply of …
“So, we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”” 2 Corinthians 5:20 You may be surprised to know that the US has 189 ambassadors around the world and includes countries that most of us have never heard of or, as in …
“They did not conquer the land with their swords; it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory. It was your right hand and strong arm and the blinding light from your face that helped them, for you loved them.” Psalm 44:3 Have you ever wondered why God would pick a “non-people group”, the …
“Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up.” 2 Corinthians 4:1 If you travel up and down the barrier islands of North Carolina, you’re likely to see some amazing and beautiful sights, one of which may be wild horses. It’s a common occurrence in coastal NC to see these …
“Your unfailing love will last forever.Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.” Psalm 89:2 How many times have you thought to yourself, “That really needs to change.”? Maybe you saw a change was needed in the life of someone close to you like a loved one, a child, a coworker or friend. Maybe you’ve …
For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. 2 Corinthians 1:20 AMP In the book of Judges, we see that over and over the Children of Israel continually disobeyed the Lord. Every time, God would …
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.” 1 Corinthians 16:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus [His unmerited favor, His spiritual blessing, His profound mercy] be with you. In the days before modern medicine, “cure-alls” were the rage. In particular, during the late 1800’s and the early 1900’s there were all kinds …
“Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it.” 1 Corinthians 15:1 If you’re like most folks, you need a lot of reminders. In fact, as I’ve been sitting here reading and writing this post, I’ve …
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 Yes, I have to admit I was a little nervous. It was her first volleyball game ever, and most of the girls on her team had played for years. My youngest sitting beside me said, “Dad, you’re …
“That same day the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Moab, to the mountains east of the river, and climb Mount Nebo, which is across from Jericho. Look out across the land of Canaan, the land I am giving to the people of Israel as their own special possession.” Deuteronomy 32:48-49 As Moses was nearing …
“I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.” Galatians 2:21 Although I’ve played cards before, Spades back in my Marine Corps days, I’ve never played Poker. I have no real concept of the …
