Category Archives: New Testament

Rise from the Dead

I die daily. (1 Corinthians 15:31 JUB) Death changes us. After losing two beloved family members a year apart, I lost a part of me that I would never get back. Life took a different turn as I began to live life unbothered by what was going on around me. Trivial matters and people’s opinionsContinueContinue reading “Rise from the Dead”

Down But Not Out

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV) Easter has always been my favorite time of the year. Its message has resonated with me for many years. The idea that we can be down butContinueContinue reading “Down But Not Out”

Embrace the Desert Place

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. (Luke 4:1-2 NIV) We live in an age of instant gratification. Patience and perseverance don’t seem to matter anymore. We’re promised immediate results if we wouldContinueContinue reading “Embrace the Desert Place”

Embrace the Cross

I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it. (Philippians 3:10-11 MSG)ContinueContinue reading “Embrace the Cross”

Love Yourself

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,    I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14 NIV) This Valentine’s Day, I’m going to challenge you to look for love within. For far too long, we’ve been led to look for love everywhere, except within ourselves. As a result, we have more menContinueContinue reading “Love Yourself”

Jesus: The Light of My World

The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2 NIV) “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 NIV) When JesusContinueContinue reading “Jesus: The Light of My World”

Seek Peace and Pursue It

Seek peace and pursue it. (Psalm 34:14 NIV) The Hebrew word for peace, “shalom,” means: wholeness, completeness, soundness, health, safety, prosperity, and harmony. And that’s the kind of peace that Jesus promised when He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.ContinueContinue reading “Seek Peace and Pursue It”

The Battle Belongs to God

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12 NLT) Throughout the Scriptures, we’re constantly reminded of the fact that the battle belongs to God and that He fightsContinueContinue reading “The Battle Belongs to God”

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 NIV) It’s easy to believe in God when we can see immediate results. But true faith is what happens when we don’t, and that’sContinueContinue reading “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize”