Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. Luke 1:71 (NLT) We live in a time when hatred is becoming commonplace. Your neighbor might hate you simply because they don't like the way you dress or because you work for a company where they would like to get a job. Hatred creates enemies, even without a valid reason. Given the state of the world, some may decide to destroy the lives of others to take their place. Fortunately, those who have placed their trust

If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. 2 Timothy 2:13 (NASB) After carrying her child for nine months, the bond between a mother and her child is so profound that she cannot neglect its needs. Even in an emergency, she would attend to her baby's care before addressing the emergency itself. It is a deep and unconditional love that no mother can fully explain. Even when her child hurts her, she may get angry, but she will never stop meeting its ne

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. Psalm 37:8 (RSV) In this passage, David teaches us the wisdom we should show in the face of others' success, especially when it is achieved through dishonest means. Often, we find ourselves in difficult situations where we feel completely abandoned by God. When everything seems to be going from bad to worse, we see others progressing and succeeding in their endeavors. Those who reject divine grac

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35 (NIV) The best attitude that pleases God is to humble yourself to serve others. Hearing it said and saying it yourself seems easy, but when it comes to putting it into practice, we refuse because we sometimes believe ourselves to be too important or more important than those before whom we humble ourselves. Yet, Jesus, although he was the lea

The one who loves his brother resides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 1 John 2:10 (LEB) When the Jewish religious leaders tried to trap Jesus with their question about the greatest commandment, He gave them two: the first is to love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself. Desperate to bring Jesus down and publicly humiliate Him, they did not understand the truth of thes

So that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and endurance inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:12 (NASB) The Bible tells us nothing about Joshua's attitude when he saw Moses return from his flight to become the leader of Israel after killing the Egyptian soldier. Perhaps he was pleased to have someone who knew Egyptian customs and traditions so well and who dared to confront them, and perhaps he rejected him for fear that Moses would use the situatio

This is what the Lord says to Israel: “Seek me and live." Amos 5:4 (NIV) Most people perceive their lives as they live them. They don't consider that beyond their limitations, God watches over them and protects them from harm. They don't question the reasons for the events that happen to them, but when they witness them, they blame those around them or, if they acknowledge God's place in their lives, they place the responsibility on Him. Although they know God exists, they wi

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. Lamentations 3:25 (HCSB) What do you think happens when we act without God or refuse to wait for His intervention? Often, when we are impatient, we do things that displease Him or lead nowhere. In these cases, we feel like we're going in circles because our efforts are futile, and we always end up back where we started. This is a difficult reality to accept, especially when we want an immediate answer. Y

How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? John 5:44 (NIV) After 50 years of ministry, an 86-year-old pastor decided to retire. He convened the church committee to choose his successor from among the five most active and involved young theology students—those they considered truly called. During the interviews, four were rejected, all but one. Their failure stemmed from a single question they answered po

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. Titus 2:11-12 (NKJV) Many Christians believe in God's grace and use it to continue sinning, because they think that, having been saved by grace, nothing can hinder their salvation. This is the reality Paul faced in the early days of the Church, which led him to ask the following question

Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not get upset because of one who is successful in his way, Because of the person who carries out wicked schemes. Psalm 37:7 (NASB) Faced with life's difficulties and God's apparent silence, our first instinct is often to believe that others are in the same situation. We don't want to see them progress. Their joy, happiness, and success make us jealous, even envious. This is a reality that David discovered deep within his heart.

And Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near MeI must be regarded as holy;And before all the peopleI must be glorified.’ ” So Aaron held his peace. Leviticus 10:3 (NKJV) In Hebrews 11:6, the author tells us, “Whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” In other words, to draw near to God, one must acknowledge His character, His person, and His holiness. Those who do not

Grandchildren are the crown of the old, And the glory of sons is their fathers. Proverbs 17:6 (NASB) I remember a seven-year-old boy who was so proud of his father that he wanted to be just like him when he grew up. Even as a child, he imitated him and repeated everything he said. This is a common phenomenon among children: they want to be like their mother or father. Moreover, even if we don't resemble our parents in every way, we tend to remember their actions and words in

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature be thus minded; and if in anything you are otherwise minded, God will reveal that also to you. Philippians 3:14-15 (RSV) Every Christian should have one goal: to be like Jesus Christ in every way, without failing in anything. This isn't always easy, because as long as we live in this corruptible body, we will always be exposed to all kinds of temptations and evil

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:24 (NKJV) Sometimes we pray for hours, days, even months, and yet God does absolutely nothing. Not only does He not act, but He says nothing. It is then that many Christians begin to doubt and question their faith. To justify God's silence, they offer all sorts of interpretations for their faith or their attitude. And when they run out of arguments, th

The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with Him. Proverbs 11:1 (NIV) What is an unjust scale in God's eyes? Some might see it as the measuring instrument used by humans to weigh things. That's true. But what God hates is not the instrument itself, but the intention of the heart of the one who uses it to deceive others. In reality, any evil intention aimed at manipulating, causing downfall, or leading astray is abominable in the eyes of the Lord. He

For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 1 Peter 2:20 (NKJV) Whether we do good or evil, there are always consequences. They can be disastrous if we have done harm, or beneficial if we have done good. No one likes to suffer the consequences of their mistakes; we would prefer that life spare us. However, consequences are sometimes a divine pun

So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Hebrews 13:6 (NIV) We always feel fear when we walk in the dark. It's not the darkness itself that frightens us, but rather what might happen to us. Knowing the world we live in today, we think about the possibility that someone might be hiding somewhere, waiting for a passerby to attack them. It's normal to be afraid because it's a feeling God has given to each of us. Bu

Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight! Isaiah 5:21 (NKJV) Wisdom is a gift from God. No one can become wise without God. Some might object that this is a mistake, because they know wonderful, naturally wise people. It is these wonderful, naturally wise people that the Bible speaks of when it refers to the wisdom of the world. Here is a common definition of wisdom: “ Wisdom is a quality of mind characterized by discernment, prudence, and m

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10 (NIV) You may claim to know God, but unless you know Him through His Word, according to what He has revealed about Himself, you cannot truly know Him as He is. You serve a faithful God, who never breaks His word, but you cannot fully submit to Him if you do not know His works and His ways. This is why it is important for a Christian to study the Bible, for it is the only w