“That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies…” Joshua 7:12 It matters not how strong you are. It matters not whether you have the greatest resources and talent. It matters not if you have the best plans and procedures. It will all fail if you have a break in your armor. This is

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13b-14 Our past can be a hindrance or a help in moving toward God’s purposes for each of us. For some, the past has

…”Because you have prayed to Me….” Isaiah 37:21 Have you ever had your back against the wall so badly that if something didn’t happen to change your situation, you were sunk? King Hezekiah was one of Israel’s greatest godly kings. One of the greatest challenges to his reign came when the king of Assyria threatened

…”Everything is all right”…. 2 Kings 4:26 The prophet Elisha often would travel through the town of Shunem, and in that town was a well-to-do couple who extended hospitality to him. At first, they simply offered Elisha a meal when he came through town. Then, seeing that Elisha needed a place to stay and study,

“‘Your servant has nothing there at all,’ she said, ‘except a little oil.’” 2 Kings 4:2b Her husband had died. There was no way to fulfill her debts. Her creditors decided to take her two sons as slaves for payment of the obligations that still remained. She pleaded for assistance with the only man of

“And they took offense at Him….” Matthew 13:57 Jesus taught in the synagogue in the community He grew up in. He was raised as a local carpenter’s son. No one saw any miraculous powers in this young boy’s life. But something changed as He became older. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” Psalm 84:11 If you were running for political office, what approach would your opponent take against you? If he wanted to launch a smear campaign, would there be

“Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” Job 42:3b If there was any one man on earth who had reason to question God’s love, it was Job. He lost his family, his health, and his wealth – all at the same time. His friends came to

“The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” Psalm 145:13b-14 Have you ever had a relationship with someone who was faithful? You knew you could depend on that person to do what he

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24 The Bible is very clear that the purpose for our work life

“They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might, so that all men may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom.” Psalm 145:11-12 How do you measure your effectiveness in God, or should you even be thinking like this? The early Church turned the world

“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!” Isaiah 30:18 Have you ever noticed that God is not in a hurry? It took 40 years for Moses to receive his commission to lead

“Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.” Proverbs 14:4 I used to walk through a new home subdivision. Often I would see the street filled with red clay from the land as bulldozers clear it to lay a foundation. The job site

“You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove it.” Joshua 7:13b The first battle for the people of Israel traveling from Egypt was at Jericho, once they crossed the Jordan River. God had given them a great victory at Jericho, and Joshua was now ready to move to their next battle at Ai. After

“Each man will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.” Isaiah 32:2 Have you ever walked in a dry, hot climate for an extended time? The sun beats down, sweat begins

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 I walked into the office. The secretary seemed physically struggling with her breathing and her countenance was different than normal. “Are you okay?” I asked. “Allergies,” she replied. “Sometimes it gets so bad

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work.” Ecclesiastes 4:9 Have you discovered yet that you are incomplete by yourself? During my “warrior” stage of life you would have been hard-pressed to convince me that I needed you or anyone else. I know few people willing to admit their

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 Recently, a friend from London sent this personal account of an experience he had: “I was walking passed the Stock Exchange in

“For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:11-12 For years Sergis ran his small retail business from his store in a local shopping center. Every week a

“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 I was recently sitting with the leader of a workplace organization as he described a question he poses to workplace believers. “What if there were two doors to choose from; behind one door was

“One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:24-25 One of the reasons God entrusts money to us is to bless other Christians by meeting their needs. God uses the transfer of money within

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 Hearing and doing God’s will are two important steps that often get confused as one step. However, these are two distinct processes. When we hear God’s voice, this is only 50 percent of the process. The next important step

“Woe to the obstinate children,” declares the Lord, “to those who carry out plans that are not Mine, forming an alliance, but not by My Spirit, heaping sin upon sin; who go down to Egypt without consulting Me; who look for help to Pharaoh’s protection, to Egypt’s shade for refuge.” Isaiah 30:1-2 Have you ever

“The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.” 1 Chronicles 13:10 A life of faith often requires us to leave God’s work alone. Responding to a need out of a desire to help move a vision along

“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:3 God has a storehouse of blessings that He has reserved for you and me. However, our timing to receive those blessings may

“Who despises the day of small things?” Zechariah 4:10 Life is filled with a series of small things that can amount to something big. Have you ever considered why the God of the universe came to earth and spent 33 years identifying with mankind through work? Jesus grew up as a carpenter’s son and, no

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 “Why does it seem that those involved in Christian enterprise find the way so hard? It seems as though it is harder for those

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 The CEO walked into the president’s office after reviewing his new marketing plan for the next year. It was a well-prepared, thoughtful plan. “This will not do!” exclaimed the CEO. “This plan describes how you

“But I said, ‘I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God.’” Isaiah 49:4 Have you ever felt like you’re spending your life using your talent for nothing? Life is often

…”I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” Jonah 4:2 Have you ever gone through a time of disobedience with God? Jonah was a prophet of God who decided he didn’t want to prophesy for the Lord. God wanted

“But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.” Luke 12:39 What are the times when you and I are most vulnerable to being caught off guard by the enemy of our souls? One of those