“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides.    You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely.    Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, […]

“Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet.     Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how […]

“Teach me how to live to please you, because you’re my God. Lead me by your blessed Spirit into cleared and level pastureland.” Psalm‬ ‭143‬:‭10‬ MSG Do you know how to live to please God? I mean, that almost sounds impossible, doesn’t it? That’s why David, the Psalmist, is crying out to God…”teach me how.” […]

But the Message came through anyway. God’s Spirit and God’s power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God’s power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else. 1st Corinthians 2:5 MSG When something is “clear to me”, I am settled. Not […]

By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. Romans 5:1 MSG There’s only one way we can have it all together.Oh, you may believe you have it all together…as […]

Paul talked to them all day, from morning to evening, explaining everything involved in the kingdom of God, and trying to persuade them all about Jesus by pointing out what Moses and the prophets had written about him. Some of them were persuaded by what he said, but others refused to believe a word of […]

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, hardly noticed—he only had eyes for God, whom he saw in all his glory with Jesus standing at his side. He said, “Oh! I see heaven wide open and the Son of Man standing at God’s side!” As the rocks rained down, Stephen prayed, “Master Jesus, take my […]

Egyptians! Coming at them! They were totally afraid. They cried out in terror to God. Moses spoke to the people: “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and watch God do his work of salvation for you today. Take a good look at the Egyptians today for you’re never going to see them again. God will fight […]

At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come ahead.” Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. Matthew 14:26; 28-30a MSG So…you’re in […]

Simon said, “Master, we’ve been fishing hard all night and haven’t caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I’ll let out the nets.” Luke 5:5-6 MSG   I know exactly how Simon Peter felt. Waiting for fish to be caught-up in strategically placed nets. Fished all night. Caught nothing. Zero. Zilch.    Been […]