"Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me" (Ps. 131:2 NKJ). This verse shows us how to progress from an attitude of getting things from the Lord to a desire to simply be near Him for the...

"He who exalts his gate seeks destruction" (Prov. 17:19 NKJ). Here is a call for modesty. It says to us: Don't build for arrogant ostentation, materialistic display, or as a demonstration of wealth. The Hebrew word translated gate here is pethach (peh'-thak) and is...

"He chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook...." (1 Sam. 17:40). Why did David put five stones in his pouch when he only needed one to kill the giant? Some scholars see a symbol of the five-fold ministry in this verse (Eph. 4:11). Others see a picture...

"A man of understanding has a cool spirit" (Prov. 17:27 AMP). In our day, the word "cool" has taken on a new significance. Among our youth, it is often considered the height of sophistication to be thought of as "cool." An individual who is "cool" is "street wise",...

"Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble" (Ps. 119:165 NKJ). In the path of every forward-marching believer, there are booby traps, land mines, and obstacles. Satan's strategy is to keep us from reaching our appointed...

"My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands" (Isa. 65:22 NKJ). Part Three The Hebrew word translated long enjoy is very unusual. In the original text it is balah (bow-law') which is used 16 times in the Old Testament. Except for this verse and Job 21:13,...

"My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands" (Isa. 65:22). Part Two When I was preparing for the ministry, I was part of a religious group with a rigid caste system. A person's rank was reflected by the type of car he drove. The top executive leaders of the...

"My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands" (Isa. 65:22). Part One One sector of the Christian Church has outlawed any kind of enjoyment. Their worship is icily cold. Their lifestyle is somber. Their conversation is solemn. Their daily existence is joyless....

"I have been anointed with fresh oil" (Ps. 92:10 NKJ). Part Two A key word here is "fresh." In Hebrew it is ra'anan (rah-an-awn') which is defined as: "flourishing, green, happy, cheerful, bright, new, luxuriant, prosperous." Besides indicating an anointing to set...

"I have been anointed with fresh oil" (Ps. 92:10 NKJ). Part One In the Old Testament, kings, priests, and prophets were anointed with oil. Revelation 1:6 tells us that Jesus has made us believers kings and priests. We are also told that He has imparted prophecy to...

"Having mind of him wherever you may go, and he will clear the road for you" (Prov. 3:6 MOF). Do you recall what automobile travel was like in the days before the development of modern highways? Most roads were narrow and winding as they followed the natural...

"I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me" (John 14:30 NKJ). Here the Lord Jesus is talking to His disciples about the enemy, Satan - he has nothing in Me, He tells them. No power, no dominion, no mastery,...