-
It’s God Who Will Open The Hearts Of His People
One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. Acts 16:14, NIV As Paul preached about the good news in Macedonia, a woman named Lydia was listening to them. Acts 16:14 states that “the Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” This is an important reminder for all of us. We may excellently deliver the gospel, and people may preach God’s word by using effective methods, but at the end of the day, it’s God who will open the hearts of His…
-
The Hard Truths About Confrontation
It hurts. If you are the type of person who is not used to share your feelings, it feels so awkward and uncomfortable at first. It takes so much courage. It feels like you are trying to peel off all your excuses and deal with what is truly on the inside. It’s like facing a giant that you can’t see. Confronting someone is not easy. It takes a genuine and a vulnerable heart to do it. Part of you can’t help but ask if you said the right words, or perhaps you hurt someone you love because of the things you just expressed. Sometimes, you will find yourself just staring…
-
God Has Great Plans For Paul Despite The Redirections That He Received
During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Acts 16:9-10, NIV Before this vision, Paul received a series of redirections. God convicted him not to enter certain places because He had greater plans in mind. Instead of answering Paul’s desire to preach the word of God in the province of Asia, God led them to Macedonia, a province lying in the north of Greece, where the churches in…
-
He Satisfies The Thirsty And Fills The Hungry With Good Things
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107: 8-9, NIV If you are in trouble and distress, then you need to remember this verse. God’s unfailing love is with you all throughout the journey. You may not see or feel it right now, but He is doing good things in your life. He poured out the blessings that you need. God is always there to guide and assist you. The problems may try to bring you down but fix your eyes on the One who will never…
-
The Unspoken Thoughts Of A Wounded Heart: Day 3
Dear God, I find myself easily frustrated. When people do something unexpected, I tend to withdraw and create my own boundaries. When I’m disappointed, I think of negative things towards others. Is there something wrong with me, Lord? Is there something I need to face? The things that have happened recently seemed to remind me of the pain I used to experience. Is this a sign that I am not yet healed? Perhaps, I’m became so sensitive because I can’t help but think about those people who hurt me before. I was affected because I kept on hiding the wounds that I thought you already healed. I failed to face…
-
The Unspoken Thoughts of A Wounded Heart: Day 2
Dear God, Things don’t appear easy for me today. My mind is constantly bombarded with unwanted thoughts and desires. Many times, I was tempted to follow my own will, but there you are, giving me reasons to do the right thing. That’s why, thank you so much for sustaining me. It’s you who gave me the strength to cherish every moment despite the battle in my head. It’s you who taught me how to stand despite all my mistakes. Lord, I’m just wondering, aren’t you tired of me? I know I’m not easy to deal with. I’m a person full of doubts. I kept worrying. I easily forget your instructions…
-
What A Person Desires Is Unfailing Love
What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar. Proverbs 19: 22, NIV The book of proverbs reminds us that our hearts desire for the kind of love that never fails. And sad to say, we can’t receive this from mere humans. We are living in a broken world that is dominated by sin and imperfections. That’s why, whether we like it or not, we will eventually experience pain not just from strangers but from people who are close to our hearts. This is the reason why there’s a space in our hearts that only the unfailing love of God can satisfy. He alone can…
-
It’s Because Of Faith
God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Acts 15:8-9, NIV The Jewish Christians were trying to impose the law of Moses on the Gentiles, which led to an argument between them and Paul and Barnabas. Peter reminded them that God purified the hearts of the Gentiles by faith and not by works. He has no favoritism. Instead, God treats His children equally. He showed that He accepted them by giving them the Holy Spirit. Peter simply acknowledged God’s unexplainable…
-
Let’s Not Discredit The Works Of God In Other People’s Life
Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” Acts 15:1, NIV A group of Jewish Christians came down from Judea to Antioch and tried to impose their customs on the Gentiles, who had a different cultural background. They don’t believe that these new believers were saved not unless they are circumcised. They wanted them to follow the customs that Moses taught. It seemed like this group of Christians discredited the grace that God poured out to the Gentiles, and they tried to insist that they should follow the law. Have…
-
The Tent Of The Upright Will Flourish
The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. Proverbs 14:11, NIV Sometimes, we tend to boast about the life we built despite the bad things we did. We put our trust in things that are temporary instead of relying on God. But in this verse, we are reminded that the righteous will flourish in the end. The wicked may appear to live in a house or a secure place, but in the end, they will be destroyed. Their foundation won’t last long. That’s why let’s choose to do good and be kind to others. Let’s do the right thing in the eyes…
