But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” – Acts 16:28 Paul and Silas had just been thrown into prison. An earthquake erupted and the jail cell was opened. It’s Paul and Silas’ opportunity. “Deliverance! Praise God!” might be the appropriate response. But this is not what Paul and Silas did. In fact,

…”Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you”…. – Joshua 5:9 Joshua and the people had just crossed the Jordan River. They were camped at Gilgal. But before they could proceed they were required to circumcise all the males, because a whole new generation had grown up while living in the desert.

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. – Psalm 127:1a Imagine spending years building an expensive home with the finest materials and craftsmanship. It is a work of art, and the project is almost complete. As the day arrives to move in, a building inspector arrives and hands you a notice

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men. – Proverbs 22:29 The Lord has called each of us to be excellent in what we do. Those whom God used in the Kingdom as workplace ministers were skilled and exemplified excellence in their

…”Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit”…. – 2 Kings 2:9 The first requirement to move in greater power and authority in God is to hunger for it. Yet even this hunger is born from God. Elisha hungered after God. Elisha saw many miracles as Elijah’s servant. But he wanted more. He wanted

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. – Proverbs 17:3 This proverb describes one of God’s strangest mysteries. It is a description of God’s formula to refine the human heart in order to bring out its finest qualities. The significant leaders who make the greatest mark for

I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before Me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. – Ezekiel 22:30 The people of Israel fell into sin when they worshiped the golden calf. It would

But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth. – Deuteronomy 8:18a Pride is the greatest temptation to a successful workplace minister. When we begin accumulating wealth, managing people, and becoming known for our workplace expertise, we are most susceptible to falling to the most devious

…”What have I done? What is my crime? How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to take my life?” – 1 Samuel 20:1 The cost of being one of God’s anointed can be great. Those whom God has anointed for service and influence in His Kingdom go through a special preparation. David

As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out to battle. – 1 Chronicles 14:15a The Philistines were attacking. David wanted to know how to respond. His first inquiry of God revealed that he was to attack the Philistines straightaway and God would give him victory.

…”Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to move on.” – Exodus 14:15 Moses had brought the whole nation of Israel, approximately 600,000, to a dead end in the desert. The only thing between Israel and Pharaoh’s pursuing army was the Red Sea. This was after ten plagues God had inflicted on

I desire to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart. – Psalm 40:8 How would you describe the process by which you find and do God’s will in your life? For some, finding God’s will is like playing bumper cars. We keep going in one direction until we bump into

The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip. – Genesis 32:31 Jacob was a man who was a controller. He connived and manipulated his way to get what he wanted. It was a generational stronghold passed down through his mother, who encouraged her son to play

Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and You have not rescued Your people at all. – Exodus 5:23 Have you ever felt that the more obedient you are to following God, the more adversity there is? Moses had been instructed to go to

When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. – Matthew 14:26 Have you ever had some unexpected event happen in your life that caused great fear? Sudden calamities can result in great fear unless we know Who is behind the event.

Yet when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days. – John 11:6 Delays in our life are not always easy to handle or to reconcile in our minds. Often, when God does not answer our prayers in the time that we feel He should, we appoint all sorts

…”Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. It may be that the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today.” – 2 Samuel 16:11-12 As David’s enemies were increasing and he was fleeing the city from his son Absolom who

Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. – Hosea 2:14 If you have an important message to convey to someone, what is the best means of getting the message through? Have you ever tried to talk with someone who was so busy

To this John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.” – John 3:27 “God never gave you that property,” said my friend who had entered my life at a time of great turmoil. These were hard words at the time. I was separated in my marriage, and my financial resources

All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader…. – 1 Samuel 22:2 God uses broken things to accomplish His greatest work. When David was anointed to be the next king, he was just a boy, the youngest among all his brothers. Little did he

…”Do not stay in the stronghold. Go into the land of Judah”… – 1 Samuel 22:5 David and his fighting men had been hiding in the cave of Adullam. He was fleeing Saul. Many of life’s down-and-out had come and joined David’s army. David was content to stay in the stronghold of safety. Then, God’s

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips. – Proverbs 27:2 Many years of owning and operating an ad agency taught me that positioning was defined as a place or position that a product, service, or person held in the mind of the audience. We knew that

…”Everything is against me!” – Genesis 42:36 Eventually, Benjamin along with Jacob’s other sons learned that their brother Joseph was second in command in Egypt. Joseph revealed his identity, and Jacob was reunited with his son whom he had not seen for more than 13 years. He had thought Joseph to be dead. So often

So Abram moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the Lord. – Genesis 13:18 Abraham took a totally different approach to solving this problem. He told Lot to choose which land he wanted. Imagine, Abraham could have been dooming himself and