"For ever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations" (Psalm 119:89 - 90 KJV).

A story is told of a young woman who had been informed about a famous novel. She was interested in reading it, but as she began to read the novel, she found it dry and uninteresting. She would put it down to read something else, and then she would come back and try to read it again because her friends said it was an excellent book.

Even with the high recommendations of her friends, the book just did not captivate her. Then one day she met the author. He was very handsome and personable. They became interested in each other, and she fell in love with him.

Now she could hardly wait to read the novel. It was the most exciting book she had ever read, for she had fallen in love with the author.

This is what happens with the Scriptures when we love the Author, the Lord Jesus Christ.

During my years of skepticism and agnosticism, I found the Bible very dry and difficult to read and I believed it was filled with "all kinds of errors and inconsistencies." Then after becoming a Christian I began to read the Bible again. It was a completely different book, filled with exciting, life-changing truth. All the "errors and contradictions" were gone.

Why the difference? The non-believer or disobedient Christian does not understand spiritual truth (1 Corinthians 2:14). The Spirit-filled believer is taught by the Holy Spirit, who illumines the truth which He revealed to the original authors as recorded in the Bible.


I will ask God to give me a love for His holy, inspired Word. Then things that happen in my life which I do not understand will be made clear as I go to the source of all true understanding, the Word of God.

Questions: Do you find reading the Bible dry? Why not ask God right now for a new love for His word and a fresh understanding of what you read.

Dr Bill Bright

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 11:32 AM CST

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It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. Psalm 18:32

People in our society strive to find strength in a variety of ways. Some lift weights to develop powerful muscles. Many athletes, searching for phenomenal statistics,  use nutritional or even illegal supplements to build stamina. Others climb success ladders determined to find financial or leadership power. Some even scale literal and figurative mountains to prove their physical strength and mental brawn.

Our lives are full of struggles that test our strength. We may deal with a stressful job or the decision to move. We may suffer over a rebellious child or a broken relationship. We may even battle a terminal physical illness or the loss of a loved one. No weight machine, nutritional supplement, or executive position can supply the strength we need to survive our struggles.

Instead of looking to the ways of the world for strength, look to the One David called a "buckler" and "rock" (Psalm 18:30-31). In Him, you will stand strong every time.

Rock of ages, thank You for being my strength when I am tired, weak, or afraid.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 11:04 AM CST

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And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart. Deuteronomy 6:6

We watch a lot of football at our house, and we understand that teamwork is important. Marriage also requires working together. My football-saturated imagination pictures marriage and family like this:

God, as Team Owner and General Manager, provides ability, location, and resources needed to play. Dad serves as head coach. He is responsible for discipline, health conditioning, and for calling plays. The Bible is his official playbook. Mom serves as offensive and defensive coordinator. She consults with dad to make sure all plays are effective in gaining positive yardage, while attacks from the enemy are properly countered. All team members (children) should obey and listen closely to their coaches and General Manager. They are responsible for learning the plays and for conditioning themselves so they will be able to lead their own expansion teams in the future!

Adhering to God's Word makes a family strong.

Father, thank You for strengthening my family.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 1:40 PM CST

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And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7

I have seen many interesting sand sculptures on the beach, but one creation remains a vivid memory. Some talented person had fashioned a sunbathing woman complete with long,flowing hair and a modest seaweed swimsuit! She was incredibly realistic and caused quite a stir among those passing by.

 Long ago, another Creator formed a person from the earth. With loving hands and an eternal plan, He molded the soil until He was satisfied with the shape. Then, with His very own breath, He filled the dusty lungs and jump-started the heart. He gave the eyes sight and opened blood vessels. He aroused the ears and taught the skin to feel. He awakened emotions and gave the brain the ability to reason. God had created man.

As impressive as the sand woman was, she couldn't talk, breathe, or swim in the ocean. No amount of ingenuity on the part of her sculptor could make her rise and walk. Only God can make dirt live!

Awesome Creator, thnk You for life!

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 8:41 PM CST

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I've said it. I'm sure you have, too. It goes something like this: "I'll be happy when ...we get the new house" ...when I finish this course" ...if I get that new job" ...when the kids are in school" ...when I find that special 'someone.'"

And so it goes, with true happiness always just around the next corner. Sound familiar? What is it you are longing for today?

We long for something, in the tomorrow of our lives, that will bring the fulfillment that may be lacking in our today. There is a reason for that.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, "God has also set eternity in the hearts of men."

God created you with eternity in your heart. He created each of us with a longing that only the things of eternity will fill.

What are the things of eternity that we can look for today to fulfill that longing? God's ways are not complicated. He said we needed to come to Him as children, so that mean the explanation for this longing in our hearts must be simple. Eternity for God's children will be filled with the glory of God. The glory of God is simply who God is.

We taste the fulfillment of eternity in our hearts when we show who God is as we live our lives in ways that reveals His character.

* By loving others. When we encounter difficult or unlovable people, we show God's character by offering love that we get first from Him. You will be surprised at the joy in your heart when you give God's love away.

* By serving others. Remember when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, even when He knew within hours Judas would betray Him and Peter would deny Him? When He finished washing, He told them all, "Happy are you if you do this for one another" (John 13). Jesus knew the fulfillment we would find in serving each other. If it's been a while since you served someone, just to show who God is, find a way today and experience the joy of that fulfillment.

* By our character. Living a life of integrity in all things will bring a deep satisfaction to your soul. Lack of integrity always carries an expensive price tag.

Heavenly Father,

Help me to show a watching world who You are by the way I live. Today let my life declare the glory of God. Help me to live like Jesus would. Let me taste a bit of what eternity will be like as I allow You to love and serve others through me.

Gail Rodgers

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 11:05 AM CST

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Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Timothy 6:19

Ours is a culture based upon having increasing amounts of stuff. In large measure, the success of our lives is judged by how much stuff we have accumulated over our lifetimes. This is not much different from the mindset of the man we often call the rich younger ruler who came to Jesus with his question about acquiring eternal life. When Jesus told him that his wealth would continue to get in his way of that pursuit, the man decided for the moment, at least, that his stuff was more important than his eternity. (See Luke 18:18-23.)

One of the dangers each of us faces almost daily is the temptation to live our lives for ourselves alone. Like the rich farmer of the parable who had more than he needed, we often only think of our own pleasures. The Bible teaches that we are to live our lives for God and others. When we have learned to live sacrificially, we have begun to build on a lasting foundation.

Father, take my life and let it be consecrated to Thee.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 8:44 PM CST

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We sipped the hot, dark coffee from oversized clay mugs and talked quietly about the real issues of life. Both of us were in a season with some unanswered questions in our lives. We talked about trusting God in the midst of question marks. It's not always an easy thing to do.

Every day we make a choice to either trust God ... or not. We can worry and stew when things are not clear, or we can choose to trust Him. We can choose to believe He is faithful and that He will direct our path in His time ... and it will not be too late.

It is a challenge to ask ourselves, "Do I really trust God?" Often with our lips we say, "Yes," but with our worried lives we say, "No."

Do I believe it when God makes a promise in His Word, the Bible? He says...

"I will instruct you and guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch your progress" (Psalm 32:8).

The choice you make today to believe those words and trust God will bring a result in your life...listen...

" ...abiding love surrounds those who trust in the Lord. So rejoice in him, all those who are His and shout for joy all those who choose to obey Him" (Psalm 32:10,11).

Choosing to trust God in the confusing times in our lives releases the peace and the comfort of His love and it will surround us...holding us secure through the winds of change and uncertainty. Our lives will be marked by a joy and a rejoicing that will be the by-product of His surrounding love.

Choosing to believe that God will guide you in the best pathway for your life frees you from the anxiety of worry. Trust is a choice we can make in a God who has proven Himself trustworthy to countless believers. Choose to trust Him today with the question marks in your life.

Gail Rodgers

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 11:24 AM CST

Updated: Friday, 29 February 2008 10:21 AM CST

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If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. Psalm 50:12

When I was a youngster, our church began participating in a new stewardship program called the Forward Program of Church Finance. In this program they would give to the church budget in the coming year. Because my father was one of the reluctant ones about turning in his pledge, the pastor paid him a visit. Daddy had some questions about tithing that apparently sounded as if he were trying to get by with the least. The pastor replied with a tone of exasperation, "Lamar, don't try to treat God like the IRS."

That has stuck with me through the years. The amount of the gift is not the most important thing. Rather, it is the spirit in which it is given. I learned from my pastor and for myself that our giving can be joyful. However, it will continue to be painful until we stop figuring in terms of how much we must give and think instead of how much we may give.

Father, I acknowledge I am responsible to You for all You have allowed me to have.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 2:42 PM CST

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No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. ye cannot serve God and mammon. Luke 16:13

In the lobby of the School of Business building on the campus of a university in the city where I live is a sculpture that reminds me of the passage above. The center of it is a gigantic dollar sign. On one side of the symbol is the figure of a man with his hand resting on it. On the other side is another figure of a man kneeling in homage to the symbol. The inscription reads "Master or Servant."

Quite often, in these days, we have seen the drive for wealth become such an all-consuming passion that all other matters lose significance, even God. Such individuals forget that money is, at best, only a means to an end and never intended to be our goal. Our goal as believers is to serve God, and anything that distracts us from that is IDOLATRY.

Let's serve God with glad hearts today!

Father, keep my focus on You so that all other things may keep their proper places.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 3:37 PM CST

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But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 9:24

Almost all of us have something about which we can brag; though, many of us probably have fewer things worthy of such boasting than we imagine.

For most of my years as a pastor, I was forced to listen to some of our adults bragging about their grandchildren, complete with the latest pictures. I could not imagine how anyone could have such excessive pride. But then when my wife and I were married a couple of years ago, I inherited seven grandchildren ranging in ages 3 to 18. Now I can brag with the best of them.

In our Christian life it also is easy to allow ourselves to be boastful about our accomplishments. But the Scripture teaches us that our boasting must be only in the Lord of heaven and what He has done for us. Apart from His boundless mercy, we are nothing.

Father, You are the Source of all the good things in my life. I glory in knowing You.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 1:16 PM CST

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But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah. Psalm 49:15

A dear friend of mine who lived several of his adult years in a communist country taught me a valuable lesson about trusting God.

I had the nerve to observe about his life one day that being a believer in a communist country really must have been difficult. Apparently shocked that I would have thought such a thing, he responded: "Oh, no. It was actually much easier to be a Christian in my homeland because there we understood we could not go on living without faith in God. Here, believers often go days and weeks without giving more than a passing thought to God."

We sometimes live our lives that way, often going through our days without conscious reliance on God. Though we may pray over our meals, we may seldom realize that but for the direct intervention of God we would have gone hungry.

God can do for us what riches cannot. We need to trust Him and thank Him for every provision of life.

Father, I am dependent on You in every area of my life.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 1:21 PM CST

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The verses recorded in my journal shouted a common theme.

"What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?" (1 Corinthians 4:7)

"Your boasting is not good." (1 Corinthians 5:6a)

"Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." (1 Corinthians 8:1b)

"[Love] does not boast" (1 Corinthians 13:4b)

Probably none of us would have a hard time explaining what boasting is, but the real question is: Why do I boast?

Is it an insecurity that makes it necessary to promote myself in order to convince others of my worth? Is it a belief that assumes credit for the things in my life -- my hard work, my education and my sacrifice are the reasons for the good things I have?

Boasting is self-centered, promotes self and disregards others. Thus it prevents us from loving, because love is selfless.

Only when we admit that boasting is sin, identify its source and acknowledge that boasting is in fact diametrically opposed to love, will we be able to move beyond boasting and begin to truly love.

And Jesus is our greatest example of love. Although He was God Himself, He became a human being to serve us and ultimately die for us because of His love.

Therefore we don't need to boast in order to boost our sense of worth. We are of great value to God; He loves us unconditionally!

Any boasting we do should be boasting in the Lord as He is at work in and through us and our acomplishments. (1 Cor. 1:31)

Nor should we be proud of our accomplishments. The Bible says that regardless of the good things I do, without love, I am nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2) and I gain nothing (1 Corinthians 13:3).

Therefore, let us leave boasting in the past and instead this year, focus on love.

~Gracious God, forgive my boasting and my pride. Help me instead to love, the way You love.

Why does true love not boast? What is the source of boasting in your life?

Suzanne Benner

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 11:15 AM CST

Updated: Friday, 29 February 2008 10:23 AM CST

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For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. Psalm 49:10

My father was a sharecropper in north Mississippi when he and my mother began our family in the depths of the Depression. They always told us they hardly knew when the Depression hit because they still had nothing. But many people who did not live off the land were devastated, losing everything they had. Many who have the experience of losing it all believe they simply cannot go on with life.

Today, in contrast, it has even become acceptable to some believers to have as one of their life goals the amassing of wealth. We may call it by a more spiritual sounding name, but it is still the same. We become something like the foolish farmer Jesus spoke about who could think of nothing better to do with his God-given blessings than to hoard them to himself. How can believers ever think we can protect ourselves from all the rough edges of life with full wallets?

Father, no matter how many things I have, I know I still must put my trust only in You.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 6:13 PM CST

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What are the dreams of your future? 

As we begin a new year, we embrace a fresh start and determine not to repeat our mistakes. Yet, we can't move forward without examining the past with the illuminating power of God's Word in order to discover the wrong attitudes and actions in which we also have become entangled.

Thus, when Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he gave them a lesson from Israel's history. Although all the Israelites experienced God's protection in the desert; all were miraculously provided with manna and nourished not only physically, but also spiritually; Paul noted, "Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert." (1 Corinthians 10:5)

What does God not being pleased with them have to do with us? They lived and died thousands of years ago. What possible relevance could their lives have to ours? The next verse gives the reason.

"Now these things occurred as examples, to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did." (1 Corinthians 10:6)

Too easily, we set our hearts on evil things.

Where have you set your heart? What thoughts occupy your thinking and where do you allow your mind to dwell? How are you spending your energy, your time, and your financial resources?

The Bible reminds us in Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

This year let's set our hearts on seeking God.

~Holy God, may I set my heart on You alone. Wash away the sinful desires and misguided goals on which I have fixed my attention. Replace them with a passion to do Your will.

How do we set our hearts on seeking God? What are some lessons from your own (or your family's) history that you need to remember so as not to repeat them?

by S. Benner

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 1:50 PM CST

Updated: Friday, 29 February 2008 10:24 AM CST

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He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. Luke 3:11

A World War II veteran had finally received the medals he so richly deserved. I was an invited guest to his reception because I had written a story about him in our local newspaper.

A city journalist was called to the microphone. He explained that he had received a prestigious award for his story about the man's experiences as a prisoner of war of the Japanese.

I secretly wished my work could have been considered for that award.

My thoughts were interrupted by the speaker who said "Terry, you are the one who lived the story I wrote about. You are the one who deserves this award. Please accept it with my congratulations."

I was shaken as I saw how unselfishly the writer had met the emotional needs of a forgotten hero.

Father, forgive me when I think selfish thoughts. Help me to provide for the human needs of others whether it be clothing, food, or emotional encouragement.

Posted by Prophecies Of Revelation at 4:10 PM CST

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