What Does The Word Say?

The book of Esther is such a beautiful story that depicts the favor and grace of God. The king loved Esther, and he delighted in bestowing his favor and grace upon her. This all began after she was prepared and then taken to the king. He took one look at her beauty, poise and elegance, fell in love and chose her as queen in place of Vashti. That story has many elements, but focus on the fact that Esther was taken into the presence of the king. In the New Testament we find that we don't have to be taken into the presence of God our King. He calls believers to come. The awesome thing about this is that He already knows everything about you. He knows the good, bad and ugly, yet, He beseeches His children to come into His presence. Look at what the Bible says about this in Hebrews 4:15-16. "For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto ...

After serving the Lord for some time, there are some verses in the Bible that become quite familiar. For instance, Psalm 1:1-3, Psalm 23, John 3:16 and Romans 12:1-2 are verses in the Bible that most believers are aware of and can quote, but they have become so familiar, that they have lost the meaning and are not lived out. One of the marks of a mature Christian is the ability to be able to read and or hear something multiple times and still hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying. In other words, no matter how many times you read the logos Word, you should have an ear to hear a rhema Word. This is important because if this principle is not put into practice, it opens the door for pride and a stagnation of growth. Pride will read a verse like Romans 8:28-29 with a view of, "I know what it says." Yet, when the Spirit of the Lord comes in to bring revelation that person can't hear that God is not interested in bringing you good things. No, the "good" in t...

There are many lessons taught from the Bible that when they are heard, they are always relevant. Two of those lessons are offense and love. Offense because the Bible says in Luke 17:1 "...“ It is impossible that no offenses should come..." This is a fundamental teaching, yet believers struggle with overcoming offenses. The other, which is love, is always relevant because one of the ways to overcome offense is through love. Today, let's look at this timeless message of love. 1 Corinthians 12:31 says, "But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way." The "more excellent way" in this verse is love. It is love that overcomes offenses and enables us to live in such a way that God will always be glorified. It is love that is at the fiber of all sonship (mature, kingdom minded) relationships with the heart set upon pleasing the Father and fulfilling His kingdom purposes. Since love is the more excellent way, first and ...