Little Messages with Big Impact
When God wanted to show the world what He was doing in creation, He started with us. James says that God gave us new birth through the word of truth, making us a kind of firstfruits-the first evidence of a greater harvest to come. In ancient Israel, the firstfruits were the first portion of the crop offered to God, signaling more abundance on the way. That’s what we are in Christ: living proof of what God plans to do in and through all creation.
Judges chapter 2 begins by showing us that an Angel of the Lord appeared to the Israelites and gave them a brief history of where God had taken them from and how far He has brought them, reminding them that God’s Covenant with them will never be broken from God’s end. But they have to preserve this covenant by not making any other covenant with the people of the land, but destroying their altars. But the Israelites have failed to do this, which means that they have held up to their end of the covenant. This led the people to repent and walk in the ways of the Covenant.
Picture this: you wake up each morning, step outside your tent, and there on the ground is everything you need for the day. That was the reality for the Israelites in the wilderness when God provided them with manna. However, this blessing came with a clear instruction: gather only what was needed for each day. Through this command, God was teaching His people the importance of obedience, faith, and reliance on His daily provision.
Have you ever come to God in prayer and felt completely lost for words? Maybe the burden on your heart was too heavy, or the situation felt too complex for words to capture. In those moments, Romans 8:26 offers us incredible comfort. We are not alone in prayer. The Holy Spirit steps in, interceding for us with groanings that words cannot express. He takes our brokenness, confusion, and silence and brings it before God in perfect alignment with His will.
Have you ever prayed for something and felt like nothing was happening? Me too! Maybe you’ve been asking God to heal a loved one, restore a broken relationship, or provide direction for your life. Days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and still, the answer seems far away. It’s easy to grow weary, discouraged, and wonder if God hears you at all. Well, in Luke 18:1, Jesus encourages us not to give up in such moments. He tells the story of a persistent widow who repeatedly approached an unjust judge to grant her justice. Though the judge initially ignored her, he eventually gave in, not out of kindness, but because of her relentless persistence.
Loving those who share our beliefs and values feels natural, but what about those who stand firmly against what we hold dear? In Matthew 5:44, Jesus challenges us to go beyond the ordinary and love our enemies—those who oppose us or disagree with us. This kind of love is radical, countercultural, and deeply reflective of God’s character. Jesus didn’t just preach it; He lived it. Even as He was nailed to the cross, He prayed for His enemies, saying, “Father, forgive them.”
“Malchijah the son of Harim and Hasshub the son of Pahath-Moab repaired another section, as well as the Tower of the Ovens.” – Nehemiah 3:11 No one is beyond redemption. Malchijah, a man mentioned in Nehemiah 3:11, was once confronted…
“We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees, and laws you gave your servant Moses.” – Nehemiah 1:7 It’s not easy to admit when we’re wrong. Often, we find ourselves softening the blow, making…
When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” John 5:6 Over the last three days, we have examined two signs…
So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: ‘Go through the camp and tell the people, “Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the…