“If anyone comes after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24) Deny myself and take up my cross. That does not sound like any kind of fun. For those who think the message of the New Testament is one of flower and...

12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 CSB) Thoughts and intentions. Would that we...

71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn your statutes. (Psalm 119:71 CSB) Rarely do we see affliction as a good thing. But sometimes we need it to learn a lesson. Scriptural teaching can be hard to follow. We may need divine lessons before...

7 As they danced, the women sang: Saul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands. 8 Saul was furious and resented this song.[a] “They credited tens of thousands to David,” he complained, “but they only credited me with thousands. What more can he have but the kingdom?”...

16 I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16 CSB) We want what we want. But this is not an invitation to simply do what we want. The desires of the flesh seperate us from the leading...