Today's Verse: By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. ~Hebrews 11:29 According to Wikipedia, the Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. It borders six countries. This salty sea is just over 190 miles across at its widest point and about 1,200 miles in length. There's a measured maximum depth of 8,200 feet and an estimated average depth of 1,640 feet. Needless to say, i

Today's Verse: For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; ~Colossians 2:1 The word "conflict" means to fight or contend with. Dictionary.com defines it as a fight, battle, or struggle, especially a prolonged struggle or strife. Paul had a “shepherd’s heart” for the spiritual lives of believers. The devil seeks to discredit or destroy the faith of every believer. Paul wanted his

Today's Verse: By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. ~Hebrews 11:27 In life, we are sometimes faced with the decision of having to part ways with people or things. Someone seeking asylum from a country that represses freedom must part ways with that country and whatever good memories he may have had in the past. When a professional ball player is traded by his team, that player is parting ways with forme

Today's Verse: But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. ~Acts 27:21-22 The eye of the storm is the centermost part of it. It is at this location where there is calm and peace. It can also be the most dangerous part of t

Today's Verse: But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. ~Acts 27:14 Maritime travel can be exciting and adventurous. It can also be a harrowing experience if you are in a major storm out on the open seas. The bobbing up and down of the ship, combined with massive waves thrashing against it, will have you on edge and wondering if “this could be it.” Paul was on a ship headed to Italy via the Mediterranean Sea. He encountered an epic sto

Today's Verse: Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. ~Proverbs 30:5 During the hot summer months, most people know that extended time in the sun can put them at risk of developing skin cancer. Sunscreen is a protective lotion that can be applied to the parts of the body that will be exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. The stronger the SPF factor, the greater the protection. Thus, sunscreen serves as a shield from the damagin

Today's Verse: And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed. ~2 Kings 13:18 One of the greatest virtues we need in our lives is the virtue of persistence. Persistence is staying at something for a long time. It is not throwing in the towel and giving up early. It is staying in the race even if you are in agony. It is doing what you do with maximum effort until it is complete. Spurg

Today's Verse: By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; ~Hebrews 11:24 This morning, we are studying the second mention of the Moses' faith. Faith is a decision that we must make many times in our lives. We walk by faith and not by sight. The just shall live by faith. Faith can be exercised by little children and older adults. Everyone can and should live by faith. Let us see the ingredients of a maturing faith. We see

Today's Verse: By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. ~Hebrews 11:23 The faith of Moses is referred to five times in Hebrews 11:23-29. He demonstrated great faith at critical junctures of his life. The first mention of his faith occurs when he was born. It is not so much his faith as it is the faith of his parents. This morning, let us see how the faith

Today's Verse: And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 1 John 5:19 When two people have a disagreement on a serious matter, they might describe their situation as being worlds apart. When this occurs, they are very far from coming to any kind of agreement. As we consider God’s will for our lives, we quickly realize that living for Jesus and living for this life are worlds apart. We see the condition. “The whole world lieth in wickedness.”

Today's Verse: Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. ~Psalm 123:1 How well can you handle criticism? Criticism is when someone has taken the opportunity to give his opinion and remarks about who we are, what we said, what we believe, or what we have done. There is constructive criticism, which helps us make needed improvements to our life or performance. There is adversarial criticism that dismantles, divides, and destroys. Adversarial criticism

Today's Verse: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. ~Psalm 121:1 The background to Psalm 121 is a believer who is in a valley and trapped by his enemies. He is outnumbered, overwhelmed, and desperate. He looks behind him and he is in trouble. He looks ahead of him and he is in trouble. He looks to his left and to his right and he is in trouble. However, he looks up to the hills and help is on the way. This morning, let us look to the hills, fr

Today's Verse: I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. ~Job 42:2 What you think and believe about God determines the kind of Christian you are. Years ago, leadership and management expert John Maxwell spoke about the law of the lid. The lid is the ceiling that you allow in your thinking and faith. The lid is what keeps you from attaining your goal or seeing a dream come to fruition. Job was going through an intense time of suff

Today's Verse: By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, ~Hebrews 11:17 How much do you trust God? Do you have enough faith to trust God about everything in your life? Do you have enough faith to believe that God will take care of you? This morning we are considering “faith under fire.” We see the reason. “By faith Abraham, when he was tried...” God uses trials to determine our spiritua

Today's Verse: Arise, Barak, and lead….. ~Judges 5:12b The Bible contains the historical account of insignificant and weak people whom God used to do great things. Someone said, “The men who conquered the world were men the world could not conquer.” One of these seemingly insignificant men was Barak. Barak is presented to us as a man of faith. “And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae....” (Hebrews

Today's Verse: By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, ~Hebrews 11:17 The word "sterling" is typically associated with silver and implies the very best quality. It speaks of gold or silver that meets the highest available standard. Something sterling is the standard by which other things must measure up. It is the benchmark of all that is excellent. We are looking at the faith of Abraham w

Today's Verse: Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. ~Hebrews 11:11 As we get older, we become more knowledgeable about things in life. We know that getting older means there are certain things we could do in our youth that we cannot do as adults. Our eyesight changes to the point where reading glasses are necessary. Unless we exercise daily, ou

Today's Verse: And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son. ~Genesis 18:13-14 Have you ever laughed about something at the wrong moment? If you have, you know the embarrassing feeling associated with it. Sarah laughed when she heard the incredible promise that she wo

Today's Verse: After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. ~Genesis 15:1 When I think of a reward, what comes to mind is compensation for finding something or someone that was missing. Law enforcement agencies will offer a substantial reward that leads to the finding and arrest of a wanted criminal. People who lose a valuable item offer a reward for its finding. This morning, l

Today's Verse: A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof. ~Proverbs 21:22 Strategic planning occurs when a person or a committee of people write out a plan of action for the accomplishment of a stated goal or assignment. This plan assigns responsibilities, establishes processes and timelines, and identifies the people who will get it done. It thinks through the what, the how, and the when. It takes something that start