"But now bring me a musician." Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him. 2 Kings 3:15 (NKJV) For years, I wondered about the role of singing in church services and prayer meetings. Although I always knew it was important, no one had ever explained why. After reading the story of David and Saul, I thought it was to calm troubled spirits. I knew that without songs of praise and worship, something would be missing from the service, but

So David was afraid of the Lord that day; and he said, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” 2 Samuel 6:9 (NASB) When faced with difficulties we believe are sent by God, the question that often comes to mind is: "Why did God allow this to happen to me?" In reality, we always know the answer, but we refuse to accept it or we expect God to act differently. This is what prevents us from accepting His will and understanding His teachings. Instead of considering the situation

For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. John 17:8 (ESV) During a conference on developing a personal relationship with God, a participant asked me how one can know God if one cannot see Him. The answer seemed so simple that I hesitated to respond. My hesitation stemmed from the phrase "if one cannot see Him." He reminded me of Thomas's situation,

Lord, help us to know You better and to develop a personal relationship with You. Jesus taught us the words You entrusted to Him so that we might know Your will and believe in Him. You sent Him among us to reveal Your plan of salvation and lead us to You, but often we doubt Your grace and Your love. Despite our doubts, You do not abandon us; You do not give us over to our fears and anxieties. You always use the best means to convince us of Your presence and Your faithfulness.

Our God, our Father, we cry out to you in the remorse of our hearts, asking forgiveness for our sins. You have given us everything we need to live according to your will; you have given us the Holy Spirit to guide us, but despite this, seeking to satisfy our own desires, we allow ourselves to be influenced by the lusts of this world. Forgive us, Lord, our impure thoughts; forgive us our actions contrary to your will; forgive us our disobedience to your word. Help us, Lord, to

For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:8 (NKJV) It often happens that church members come to me after the sermon to ask questions about certain points we've discussed. Most of the time, their questions concern their lifestyle and how to live according to God's will. These are the kinds of questions most believers ask themselves, even those in positions of responsibility. For them

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 (NIV) Sometimes, we trust someone because they're always there, no matter what we're doing. We consider them family, sharing our joys and secrets, because we think we can rely on them. This reassuring closeness prevents us from seeing that they aren't a true friend, but rather someone who manipulates us and uses us as a resource during their difficult time

And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” 1 Kings 19:7 (NKJV) During an evangelism class, I was teaching the practical method for sharing the Gospel. A student remarked that the practical exercises in class weren't enough, that we needed to go out into the field and do it for real. He felt that all the students already knew each other and understood what we were doing. He believed

Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:25 (NASB1995) God created us in a wonderful way, each with our own personality, character traits, strengths, and weaknesses. He loves us just as we are. He knows where we will stumble and where we will rise again. He also knows how we will interact with one another, who will support others, and who will struggle to do so

Blessed are You, Lord our God. Our lips will never cease to sing Your praises and proclaim Your goodness. We rejoice in Your word, for it is the source of all life. In it, we find the joy of living, the happiness and peace that You alone can give. Blessed are those who meditate on Your word and put it into practice, for they are close to You and know perfect peace in You. We feel lost when we stray from Your word, for it is our shield. It is in Your word that we find protecti

Thank you, Lord, for Your grace that You have poured out into our lives, even when we rebel against Your will. You have saved us and given us Your Son as an example to follow, so that we may better walk in Your ways. Teach us Your ways, Lord, so that we may abide in them and be pleasing in Your sight. Grant us understanding and discernment to better comprehend Your word and discern Your will. Turn our eyes away from evil and from the desires that can cause us to stumble and s

He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Philippians 2:8 (NLT) Humility, although a virtue approved by God, is a quality or attitude that we all struggle to adopt, not because we are incapable of it, but rather because we don't want to be despised or feel inferior to others. We are too proud of ourselves and our worth to humble ourselves before others, even if it is for their good or to avoid a worse situation. It is this refusal to humbl

As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 1 Thessalonians 4:1 (NIV) Becoming a Christian to receive forgiveness for our sins and be saved is not the end of the salvation process that God has offered us in Jesus Christ. Although He has declared us righteous and holy, this does not make us perfectly holy, that is, without sin

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV) Contrary to what many believe, leading them away from the faith, the Bible does not forbid desiring wealth or possessing material possessions. Nor does it say that we shouldn't have great ambitions. On the contrary, it contains numerous examples of men of faith whom God Himself chose to enrich, notably S

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works. Hebrews 10:24 (NKJV) When I was a child, I often saw people in my neighborhood taking care of one another. When a family was going through difficulties, the neighbors would comfort them and help them meet some of their needs. If there was a death in a family, the children would go to other families' homes to give the adults the time and space they needed to grieve. It was a practice I didn't understand a