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We all have areas where we would like to see growth and change. And we all have weaknesses just as we all have strengths. But if we're trying to change in our own strength, we're just going to have frustration. Psalm 127:1 says, "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain" (NIV). This scripture is saying that it is not just by our effort, but by the grace of God through the work of His Holy Spirit, that we change and grow in life. It doesn't really matter what our strengths or weaknesses are because we will always need God. The truth is, we're desperate for God all the time whether we feel like it or not.
When the enemy comes in like a flood the Lord raises up a standard against him. When he says that the fire we go through will burn us, we tell him to flee and say what is true! The fire of His love will purge out of us anything that is hindering us to conform into His image, to trust Him, to need Him, to not be complacent or independent, but most of all so that we would become "on fire" for Him. If it takes coming down to death's door to get us to really draw near to Him, He will use the enemy that way.
The first chapter of Hebrews describes two supernatural ministries that are available to us today: the ministry of Jesus and the ministry of angels. Jesus' ministry is much greater, but the angels play an important part in our lives. "But to which of the angels has He ever said: 'Sit at My right hand, till I make your enemies your footstool'? Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:13-14) This verse defines the role of angels. They are ministering spirits. We, being born-again, are the heirs of salvation. We continue now into chapter 2, verse 1: "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away."
Whenever we face trials and difficulties, the devil will make us feel as though all hope is gone. He will try to convince us that the darkness will never lift, and there is no way out of this mess. Don't entertain those negative, evil thoughts! The Bible instructs us to trust in the Lord for His rescue, His wisdom and His help. No matter what we face, Jesus promised to never leave us nor forsake us. There is always hope when we put our trust in God.
There are moments in life when the weight of disappointment, grief, or unanswered prayers becomes too heavy to carry. In those moments, many of us have felt the urge to cry out, to question, to even rage at God. We don't talk much about how being angry at God feels like spiritual treason. But the truth is, it's human. It's real. And surprisingly, it's also where love shows up in one of its most powerful forms.
The past few months the traffic has been so heavy on the main boulevard in my area that gridlock has become the new normal. As I was stuck in this slow pace of traffic yesterday, I remembered a prophetic dream that I had several years ago. When I got home, I looked it up in my dream journal. In the dream I was driving alone at night on a highway with heavy traffic. I called a friend from my mobile phone and said: "I'm just going to turn back and go home." As soon as I said that the traffic parted like the Red Sea and there was a clear road ahead of me.
Lately, I've been fascinated by the biblical character Deborah. She is extraordinary because, at the time, women were not valued or deemed worthy of leadership—yet God had other plans for her. You can read her story in Judges 4–5. Her story takes place during a time in Israel when everyone did what was right in their own eyes. It was a season of moral decay, lawlessness, and violence. Consequently, God raised up judges to help bring order to the chaos. The judges were to lead the people and the military, defend Israel, and provide wise counsel. They were charged with leading the people to freedom from their oppressors.
Throughout the Scriptures, there are rare yet profound moments when the Creator of the universe publicly affirms, testifies to and even boasts about a human being. These are not moments of flattery but eternal benchmarks of what God finds pleasing. In a world filled with self-promotion, there's something different when God does the boasting—especially when it's about a lifestyle that reflects heaven on earth.
The spirit of rejection is an oppressive spirit that robs you of joy and peace. Oppression is defined as "mental pressure or distress." Rejection that turns to spiritual oppression is a tactic by the enemy to push or press you down, through moods or emotions that block you from experiencing freedom and the presence of God's love in your life. Does feeling rejected mean that God's love has left you? The Bible says that God's love will never fail (see Psalm 136) and that nothing or no one can ever separate you from His love (Romans 8:38-39).
Throughout our lives, we carry within us the capability of God to transform the world around us. This divine potential allows us to create positive changes, inspire others, and bring hope where it is needed. By tapping into this inner power, we can overcome challenges, foster unity, and contribute to making the world a better place for future generations. This inner power that comes from God is not our own power but the power of the Holy Spirit working through us.
