“But I prayed, ‘Now strengthen my hands.’” Nehemiah 6:9 Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes I. It was his duty to test and serve the king’s wine. The king needed to have complete faith in this servant. Because of this trust, one day Artaxerxes honored Nehemiah’s wish […]

“Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Romans 8:33,34 […]

“Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.” Colossians 4:12 Wrestling is not new. The sport had its start in the […]

“In order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power […]

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation.” Psalm 51:12 Throughout Scripture God gives many directives for the Christian to follow. We are to be faithful, honest, loving, prayerful, and even joyful. Yes, being a joy-filled person is a command of God. God knows that joy is an essential part […]

“Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard.” 1 Samuel 1:13 Hannah was a remarkable woman. She lived during difficult times of political unrest and religious backsliding. Her husband, Elkanah, was married to two women, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah was the […]

“Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD.” Isaiah 38:2 Bad reports can be devastating. The doctor’s diagnosis is worse than we feared. We dread the pink slip that is coming any day. We can’t make next month’s rent. What do we do when bad news […]

“David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the LORD.’” 2 Samuel 12:13 David was a hero. In only a few years, this national idol went from shepherd boy to giant killer to king. David had everything, and in spite of the pomp and pageantry, he was an upright and […]

“Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)  Martin Luther wrote that we should pray with all boldness and confidence as dear children ask their […]

“Then they will cry out to the LORD, but he will not answer them. At that time he will hide his face from them because of the evil they have done.” Micah 3:4 They called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was […]