"HE WHO OVERCOMES WILL SIT WITH ME ON MY THROWN, JUST AS I OVERCAME." Revelation 3:21 We are not overcome, but we are over-comers in Christ! While Satan actually admitted that God put a "HEDGE" around Job, his family, and all that he had, we know from Job that trials are allowed by God for our growth. The Lord told us, "IN THIS WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION, BUT TAKE COURAGE; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD!" The 7 Churches of Revelation are told that they must overcome. Later, w

LifeChurch: "NATHAN SAID TO DAVID, 'YOU ARE THE MAN!'" 2 Sam.12:7 Criticism is how you grow. Recently, a basketball legend criticized a top coach for poor coaching decisions made that cost his team the title. However, soon afterward the legend apologized. Other commentators said, "Wait a minute, don't apologize. Criticism is how you grow." How about us? Instead of being defensive and seeing criticism as demonic, what if we "pan for gold in a dirty pan." Even if criticism seem

"SARAI MISTREATED HAGAR; SO SHE FLED FROM HER." Genesis 16:6 Run! Sometimes you have to run from toxic relationships. Joseph wisely ran from Potiphar's wife, Timothy was told to run from temptation, and Hagar fled from the abuse coming from Abraham's wife. It takes courage, but if you are in a romantic relationship, a friendship, or a partnership that is controlling, abusive, or unbiblical, God understands if you decide to end it. "IF POSSIBLE, AS FAR AS IT DEPENDS ON YOU, LI

"BUT SAMUEL WAS MINISTERING BEFORE THE LORD..." 1 Samuel 2:18 Do you live a life of "MINISTERING BEFORE THE LORD..."? Is anyone forcing you to seek God daily, praying and studying His Word? Do you love worshipping and serving God and being generous in giving? You just do it because you love and fear God! With "BUT SAMUEL..." the Lord compared Samuel with the esteemed High Priest's sons, who stole offerings and fornicated in the tabernacle because "THEY HAD NO REGARD FOR THE L

"LET US NOT BECOME WEARY...FOR IN DUE SEASON WE WILL REAP IF WE DO NOT GIVE UP". Galatians 6:9 God blesses perseverance! Recently, the NY Knicks showcased the power of perseverance in the greatest comeback in basketball history. They trailed 29 points in the 2nd half and by 20 points in the 4th quarter. Rather than giving up they stormed back to win. "SUFFERING PRODUCES PERSEVERANCE." (Rom 5:3). As the British stood alone against the N*zis bombing them, Winston Churchill famo

"FORGET THE PAST, DO NOT DWELL ON IT. SEE I AM DOING A NEW THING." Isaiah 43:18-19 God gives do overs. He is the God of 2nd chances, fresh starts, and mercies that renew everyday. Maybe life hasn't gone the way you thought, or you have stumbled, or you want a reset in your relationship with Jesus. Every morning that you wake up is a reminder that He isn't done with you - this will pass. He doesn't hold your past against you when you come to Him in repentance. He will give you

"YOU ARE THE GOD WHO SEES ME" Genesis 16:13 It is comforting to see how Scripture shows God seeing and watching over each of us. When Hagar ran away with her baby after being mistreated by Sarah, God saw the lowly servant girl and sent an Angel to guide, comfort, and tell her the great future she would have. She is amazed and named God "EL-ROI, THE GOD WHO SEES ME". Likewise, the virgin Mary said of herself, "HE TOOK NOTICE OF HIS LOWLY SERVANT GIRL." When Nathaniel asked Jes

"A VOICE CAME FROM HEAVEN, 'YOU ARE MY BELOVED SON, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED.'" Mark 1:11 1 in 4 kids, and some groups are 2X that, grow up without a father. Millions more have aloof or abusive fathers. Research links both to many bad life outcomes. In Jesus we can overcome the "father wound" starting with forgiveness. Since whoever has seen Jesus "HAS SEEN THE FATHER", we can be transformed by Scripture learning of "MY FATHER AND YOUR FATHER" Jn.14&20. Jesus invites us to "

"SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY WILL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE," Psalm 23:6 No matter what you have been through, this song, "Goodness of God", is your testimony: "I love You, Lord For Your mercy never fails me All my days, I've been held in Your hands From the moment that I wake up Until I lay my head Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God 'Cause all my life You have been faithful And all my life You have been so, so good With every breath that I am able Oh, I will sing o

"I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME." Philippians 4:13 Have you proven the power of this verse in your life: that God will strengthen & cause you to succeed in anything you persevere in? My first experience was in "suicide Greek". By a miracle, I had been accepted by an academically rigorous Christian college, but the only way I could graduate on time was to take 3 semesters of New Testament Greek in 1 semester. I was in so far over my head that in the firs

"THE LORD ANSWERED MOSES, 'IS THE ARM OF THE LORD TOO SHORT?'" Numbers 11:23 The answer is NO. Are you facing something that is difficult or seems impossible? When the Israelites were complaining in the desert and demanding meat, Moses questioned how God could possibly provide it. God's answer is a metaphor for us as well, "IS THE ARM OF THE LORD TOO SHORT?" Remember, God has no limits. No matter how daunting the need is, the greater the glory He receives when He does it! "I

"THEY FORBID MARRIAGE AND CERTAIN FOODS THAT GOD CREATED TO BE RECEIVED WITH THANKSGIVING." 1 Timothy 4:3 Thank God that our faith isn't about do's and don'ts! Early on I went to a church with strict rules: No movies, alcohol, sports on Sunday, or restaurants with a bar. We had dress and appearance rules for Church. Some would not eat pork. It became Jesus PLUS this or that. However, Paul warned against living in a legalistic way rather than in the freedom of Christ and with

"JESUS SAID..."HE WHO HAS BATHED NEEDS ONLY TO WASH HIS FEET, BUT IS COMPLETELY CLEAN.." John 13:10 A beautiful thing that Jesus taught is that when He saved us, He spiritually washed us, cleansing us from all of our sins, past, present, and future. To remain in fellowship with the Holy God, the believer doesn't need a bath getting saved again, he just needs Him to "WASH HIS FEET". How? "IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS, AND CLEANSE US..

"BLESS THE LORD, MY SOUL, AND FORGET NOT ALL FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS: WHO FORGIVES ALL YOUR SINS AND HEALS ALL YOUR DISEASES, WHO REDEEMS YOUR LIFE FROM THE PIT AND CROWNS YOU WITH LOVE AND COMPASSION, WHO SATISFIES YOUR DESIRES WITH GOOD THINGS SO THAT YOUR YOUTH IS RENEWED LIKE THE EAGLE'S." Psalm 103:2-5 Don't forget but think of all "HIS BENEFITS": He forgives your sins and heals you from "ALL DISEASES"! He pulls you out of the pit of hell, and crowns you with His lov

"GO INTO YOUR CLOSET... PRAY TO YOUR FATHER WHO IS IN THE SECRET PLACE; AND YOUR FATHER WHO SEES IN SECRET WILL REWARD YOU OPENLY." Matthew 6:6 Stress is a leading cause of heart disease, ulcers, hair loss, weight gain, and mental health issues. However, the Lord Jesus taught believers a discipline that relieves stress and begins the day with peace. Before you rush off or check your phone or even read the Bible, spend time in His presence. Pick a quiet place for your "closet"

"THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I LACK NOTHING." Psalms 23:1 It is a wonderful thing if you have a loving spouse and even better if you have close relationships with children. David, however, who had family, wrote his experience and a truth for all people in every situation: "THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD; I LACK NOTHING." Whether you have loving relationships or not, we all need a relationship with the Lord first and foremost. He is YOUR shepherd. He leads you, feeds and refreshes you,

"DO NOT LORD IT OVER PEOPLE..." 1 Peter 5:3 Toxic, dominating people try to control every aspect of your life. They often use shame and ridicule to make you think that they are spiritual and that you need them. Joshua didn't use control. He said, "Choose this day..." Jesus didn't use control. Paul said, "IT WAS FOR FREEDOM CHRIST HAS SET US FREE....DO NOT SUBMIT AGAIN TO A YOKE OF SLAVERY."(Gal.5 1). God doesn't want you trapped. Walk away from domineering people. -Rev. Scot

"SIX THINGS THE LORD HATES... ONE WHO SOWS DISCORD AMONG BROTHERS." Proverbs 6:19 "ONE WHO SOWS DISCORD AMONG BROTHERS." It seems that wherever some people go, discord, strife, gossip or division follows. This toxic behavior can be at work, in family, or among church brothers or sisters. The result is that people who used to be close end up disappearing or separating and choosing which side to be on. Scripture says to "MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT."(Eph.

"TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING;" Proverbs 3:5 Do you earnestly want to see the Lord do something? His Word here tells us that He wants our heart to trust Him fully. The posture that He likes is that we look to Him with all our heart. We're not trusting in our own ability to figure it out. We're not trusting in others, experts, doctors, or counselors. We resist going by what we feel, see, hear, or think. We rebuke doubt. We can re

"IF POSSIBLE, AS FAR AS IT DEPENDS ON YOU, LIVE AT PEACE WITH EVERYONE." Romans 12:18 Recently a high profile Christian woman died without her only son being called to her deathbed because of their fractured relationship. This is sad. Our verse encourages us to do everything in our power to "live at peace with everyone." Jesus said to "Reconcile quickly with your adversary" not allowing bitterness to fester. The verse admits that sometimes we do our part but the other party i