Posts with the category “surrender-and-trust”

03/28/2025“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”—Jeremiah 17:7 NIVTrust is a powerful thing. It’s the foundation of every meaningful relationship, the anchor in the storms of life. But when trust is misplaced in people, possessions, or plans, it can leave us disappointed and disillusioned. Jeremiah was writing to a people who had put their trust in earthly kin...  Read More

03/27/2025“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”— 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)Peter’s words in this verse are a powerful reminder of the centrality of love in the Christian life. Written to believers who were experiencing suffering and persecution, Peter doesn’t urge them first to defend themselves or to seek revenge, he tells them to love. Not just casually or whe...  Read More

03/25/2025“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”—Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)This verse is the heartbeat of the faith walk. It’s not a casual suggestion or a gentle encouragement, it’s a command that sets the tone for how we’re called to relate to God. Moses, addressing the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land, reminded them that ...  Read More

03/24/2025“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”—2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)Paul’s words to Timothy come as a challenge and a charge to every believer, especially those who lead, teach, and disciple others. The apostle is urging Timothy to live a life of diligence, integrity, and devotion, particular...  Read More

03/23/2025“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”— 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIVTemptation is not a sign of spiritual weakness, it is a reality of the human condition. Every believer, no matter how mature, encounters...  Read More

03/22/2025Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”— Mark 2:27 (NIV)Jesus spoke these words in response to the Pharisees’ accusation that His disciples were breaking the Sabbath by picking heads of grain. For the religious elite, Sabbath observance had become a burden of rules and rigid expectations. But Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, reframes it completely. N...  Read More

03/19/2025“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”— Revelation 3:20 (NIV)Imagine hearing a gentle knock at your front door. It’s not forceful, not demanding, but persistent. You pause, wondering who it could be. When you check, you see Jesus standing there, waiting. He isn’t breaking the door...  Read More

03/16/2025“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”- Psalm 27:4 NIVDavid, a man of war, a king, and a leader, could have asked God for many things, victory over enemies, wealth, security, or power. But here, in in our words today, his heart reveals its dee...  Read More

03/13/2025“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”– Esther 4:14 NIVLife often presents us with moments where we must decide between comfort and calling, between silence and speaking up, between fear and...  Read More

03/12/2025“Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”- Jonah 1:17 (NIV)The story of Jonah is often remembered for its dramatic imagery. A prophet, swallowed by a great fish, spending three days in the deep before being released. But if we look closely, we see that this moment wasn’t just about punishment, it was about gr...  Read More

03/11/2025“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”- Philippians 1:21 NIVThe apostle Paul’s words in in this verse are some of the most powerful and challenging in all of Scripture. He pens these words from prison, knowing that his life hangs in the balance. Yet, there is no fear in his tone, no despair in his writing, only a deep and unshakable confidence in Christ.Paul’s statement is a ...  Read More

03/09/2025“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’”- Psalm 91:1-2 NIVPsalm 91 is one of the most comforting passages in Scripture, a reminder of God’s divine protection over those who trust in Him. These opening verses invite us into an intimate relationship with God,...  Read More

03/06/2025“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”- Galatians 5:25 (NIV)The Christian life is not a static existence, it is a journey, a walk of faith. When Paul wrote to the Galatians, he made a clear distinction between living in the flesh and living in the Spirit. The moment we place our faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us, giving us ne...  Read More

03/03/2025“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”- Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)Life is full of choices, but no choice is as significant as the one Jesus presents in this passage. He describes two gates, one wide, the other narrow, ...  Read More

03/02/2025“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”- Joshua 1:9 NIVFear and uncertainty are two of the greatest enemies of faith. They creep into our minds when we face new challenges, unexpected hardships, or seasons of transition. In today’s verse, God gives a direct command to Joshua: “B...  Read More

03/01/2025“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”– Matthew 28:19 (NIV)These words, spoken by Jesus before His ascension, form what we call The Great Commission. It is not merely a suggestion but a command, a divine mandate that extends to every believer. Jesus didn’t say, “If you feel like it, go and make dis...  Read More

02/28/2025“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’”— Revelation 7:9-10 (...  Read More

02/22/2025“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”— Psalm 34:14 (NIV)Today’s verse is a psalm of deliverance, written by David after God rescued him from a dire situation. In verse 14, David gives us a straightforward but profound instruction: Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. These words call us not only to avoid sin but to actively engage in righteousness.Turni...  Read More

02/20/2025“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”— John 16:33 (NIV)Life often feels like a relentless series of battles. Some days, we are blindsided by unexpected trials, financial hardships, health crises, relational conflicts, or spiritual struggles. Jesus knew this reality all too well. As...  Read More

202.18.2025But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.— 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)Have you ever felt like you didn’t have what it takes? Maybe you’ve faced a situation so overwhelming that you wondered how you could possibly endure. Paul knew that...  Read More

02/16/2025“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’”- Mark 16:15 NIVThis command from Jesus is one of His final instructions before ascending to heaven. It is not a suggestion or an optional task, it is a divine commission. The call to “go” implies movement, intentionality, and a willingness to step outside of comfort zones. It is a call that extends beyond t...  Read More

02/11/2025“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” — John 5:24 (NIV)Imagine standing at the edge of a vast canyon, with no way to cross. On one side is darkness, sin, separation, and spiritual death. On the other side is light, eternal life, peace, and the presence of God. The gap is...  Read More

02/06/2025“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”– 2 Chronicles 15:7 (NIV)This verse comes in the middle of a powerful moment in Israel’s history. The prophet Azariah speaks these words to King Asa, encouraging him to remain faithful to God in a time when many had turned away. Asa had begun a reform, tearing down idols, calling the people back to worship, an...  Read More

02/02/2025“Give us today our daily bread.”- Matthew 6:11 (NIV)As Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He included this simple yet profound request: Give us today our daily bread. In these few words, we find a call to trust God, a reminder of our dependence on Him, and an invitation to live in the present with faith.Daily Dependence on GodIn a world that encourages self-sufficiency, this prayer reor...  Read More

02/01/2025“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”– Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)There is a deep invitation in this verse, an invitation to come boldly before God. Not hesitantly. Not fearfully. Not ashamedly. But with confidence.For many, the idea of standing before God’s throne can seem intimidating. We might f...  Read More

01/31/2025“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”- Romans 1:16 (NIV)The Apostle Paul’s bold declaration in today’s verse is one of the most powerful statements of faith in all of Scripture. He was writing to the believers in Rome, a city steeped in political power, intellectual arrog...  Read More

01/30/2025“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”- Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)What does it mean to “fear the Lord”? This phrase is not about cowering in terror but about living in reverent awe of God. It is the deep recognition that He is holy, sovereign, and all-knowing, and that our lives are fully dependent on Him. When we understand who God is, Hi...  Read More

01/28/2025“Then Jesus said, ‘Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.’”– Mark 4:9 (NIV)Jesus often spoke in parables, using simple yet profound stories to convey deep spiritual truths. In Mark 4, He had just shared the Parable of the Sower, describing how the Word of God falls on different kinds of “soil,” the hearts of people. He concludes the parable with this call: “Whoever has ears to hear, le...  Read More

01/19/2025“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” – 1 Chronicles 16:24 (NIV)Take a moment and imagine the resounding joy of David’s celebration. The ark of the covenant, the symbol of God’s presence, was being brought to Jerusalem, and David burst into worship. This wasn’t just a private moment; it was an invitation for everyone to join in declaring God’s grea...  Read More

01/17/2025“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.” - Proverbs 3:7 (NIV)There is an unmistakable tension in this verse, a call to humility and reverence that stands in stark opposition to our natural inclination toward self-reliance. The world often tells us to trust our own wisdom, follow our instincts, and chart our course independently. While confidence and discernment are...  Read More

01/14/2025“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”– Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)Isaiah 41:13 is a gentle yet powerful reminder of God’s intimate care for His people. The image of God taking hold of our right hand evokes a picture of a loving parent guiding a child. It speaks of His closeness, His protection, and His unwavering commitment t...  Read More

01/07/2025“Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” – Acts 8:35 (NIV)In this short but powerful verse, we see the essence of evangelism beautifully displayed. Philip, led by the Holy Spirit, encounters the Ethiopian eunuch reading a passage from Isaiah. Instead of offering a generic message, Philip begins with the eunuch’s starting point, he sa...  Read More

01/06/2025“But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”– John 3:21 (NIV)In this verse, Jesus speaks of a stark contrast between light and darkness—a recurring theme throughout the Gospel of John. Light represents truth, goodness, and God’s presence, while darkness symbolizes sin, deceit, and separat...  Read More

01/05/2025“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”- Luke 7:47, NIVThis verse is part of a beautiful and deeply moving moment in the ministry of Jesus. A woman, known for her sinful life, enters a Pharisee’s home where Jesus is dining. With boldness and humility, she weeps at His feet, washes them with ...  Read More

01/03/2025“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”- Galatians 1:10 (NIV)In this verse, Paul confronts a critical question: Who are we living to please—God or people? It’s as if he draws a line in the sand, challenging both himself and his readers to consider who tr...  Read More

01/02/2025“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” — Romans 12:2 (NIV)The Apostle Paul calls us to live counterculturally, to resist the powerful pull of the world’s patterns. The world seeks to shape us, often subtly, into its mold—pursuing mater...  Read More

12/30/2024“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”- John 15:4-5 (NIV)These words from Jesus, spoken to His disciples on the eve of His crucifixion, provi...  Read More

12/28/2024“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”– 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)Paul’s charge in 2 Timothy 2:15 reminds us that living a life approved by God requires intentional effort. The phrase “do your best” underscores the importance of commitment and perseverance in our faith journey. It’s not ab...  Read More

12/13/2024“The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.”— Jeremiah 33:14 (NIV)Jeremiah 33:14 is a powerful reminder that God is faithful to His promises. These words were spoken during a time of great uncertainty for Israel and Judah. The people were facing exile and despair, yet God offered them hope. He declared that He ...  Read More

12/12/2024“A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” – Isaiah 40:3 (NIV)Isaiah 40:3 is a powerful verse that speaks both to the people of Israel in their time of exile and to us today. This verse heralds the coming of God’s deliverance, pointing forward to John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus. In a lite...  Read More