risingwiththeson

Aspire to Inspire

Agrippa asked Paul, “In such a short time do you think you can talk me into being a Christian?” Paul answered, “Whether it takes a short time or a long time, I wish you and everyone else who hears me today would become just like me! Except, of course, for these chains.” (Acts 26:28-29 CEV)ContinueContinue reading “Aspire to Inspire”

Let’s Grow Up in Christ!

There was a man crippled from birth being carried up. Every day he was set down at the Temple gate, the one named Beautiful, to beg from those going into the Temple. (Acts 3:2 MSG) A few weeks ago, I heard an interesting message about how the crippled man in Acts 3 was being carriedContinueContinue reading “Let’s Grow Up in Christ!”

Praise is the Answer

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:5 NIV) There are times when like the psalmist, I also feel down for no apparent reason. However, I learned a long time ago that the secret toContinueContinue reading “Praise is the Answer”

Watch Out

Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed. (Acts 12:16 NLT) While Peter was in prison, “the church prayed very earnestly for him” (Acts 12:5). Yet when Peter showed up at the door, the church, the group of believers, couldn’t believe it. They told the hired servant,ContinueContinue reading “Watch Out”

Going Back to Egypt

“‘I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groans and have come down to rescue them. Now go, for I am sending you back to Egypt.'” (Acts 7:34 NLT) Moses had fled from Egypt after killing an Egyptian and he probably never thought of going back. However, yearsContinueContinue reading “Going Back to Egypt”

Praying for Our Cities

Forgive us! Hurry and do something, not only for your city and your chosen people, but to bring honor to yourself. (Daniel 9:19 CEV) From the window that overlooked the Sin City, I prayed. In fact, I made it my goal to pray for the city during my short stay there, using Daniel chapter nineContinueContinue reading “Praying for Our Cities”

Always for Our Good

The angel touched me a second time and said, “Don’t befrightened! God thinks highly of you, and he intends thisfor your good, so be brave and strong.” (Daniel 10:18-19 CEV) The Apostle Paul had a similar idea in mind when he wrote, “And we know that in all things God works for the good ofContinueContinue reading “Always for Our Good”

Stand Out

Then a herald shouted out, “People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king’s command! When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other musical instruments, bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gold statue. Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown intoContinueContinue reading “Stand Out”

God Rewards Faithfulness

Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den. When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?” (Daniel 6:19-20 NLT) Even after hearing about the king’sContinueContinue reading “God Rewards Faithfulness”

But Even If He Doesn’t

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn’t, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference, O king. WeContinueContinue reading “But Even If He Doesn’t”