Weekly Reflection and Scripture Tags

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing:

God’s words and promises are true and will always come to past! Have you found yourself doubting God in your life? I know that I have done it so many times. In my doubting season, I never doubt if he can do it, but will he do it for me?  Or question why is he not doing it? There is so much that we can learn from the book of Ezra. Nonetheless, I was led by the

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing.

Weekly Reflection Ezra 1:1 NIV

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.  We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away.  Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. Whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

We might read this passage

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.  We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away.  Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. Whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

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Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

Weekly Reflection Mark 10:27-NIV

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Is there anything that is weighing you down where you feel there is no hope or no way out? I know we have heard this statement many times, ‘bring it to Jesus’ and it has become a cliché to our ears. When you are tempted to doubt God when life brings you situations that seem impossible and you are about to give up, think about the faithful men and women in the Bible who chose not to give up and brought their life circumstances to God.

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

Weekly Reflection James 3:16-NIV

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

Envy (jealousy) - Oxford dictionary

A feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck. desire to have a quality, possession, or other desirable attribute belonging to (someone else).

Selfish ambition - dictionary.com

Devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of

Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Weekly Reflection James 3:5-6-NIV

Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

As I study James chapter three which I have read on numerous occasions, I felt this heavy burden. I started pondering how we use our tongue for many good purposes in our lives, yet if we are not careful, this important/special sense can lead us to eternal fire. How do

You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do  not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

Weekly Reflection Revelation 3:17 NIV

You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do  not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

Jesus wrote this stern rebuke to address the heart and mindset of the Laodicea church. This scripture is very much applicable to our lives today. Jesus is reminding us that being rich in this world can easily lead us to worship our position in life and disregard the God who provides the "rich and affluent" life that we live.  Are you in a position where you feel that you have reached the top and are in no need?  Has your success become

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal rock.

Weekly Reflection Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal rock.

As you read this scripture, you might be experiencing a difficult trial where you are discouraged and feel defeated. You might find yourself saying, why am I not in perfect peace when I trust in God?  This passage makes me think of the story in Mathew 14: 22-33 when Peter walked on water.  The scripture says Peter got down and walked on water but when he lost his focus on Jesus and started focusing on the wind that is when he

A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense.

Weekly Reflection Proverbs 19:11-NIV

A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense.

Do you often find yourself offended by others’ opinions, thoughts, and actions? For me, there was a time in my life when the answer would have been a resounding yes, I do get offended often by others. Through many mistakes and trials in my life, Jesus through the Holy Spirit has allowed me to grow in this area.  There was a time in my life, pleasing people and people liking me was highly important for my self-esteem and self-worth. I struggled with this burden for many years in my spiritual journey. I

When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place.  The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

Weekly Reflection Psalm 118:5-6-NIV

When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place.  The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

Who and what do you turn to as you face hardship in your life?  Every solution that is offered by our society is temporary.  Oftentimes, most solutions that the world offers to our problems are conditional. God is the only solid and genuine solution to all our hardships without any condition. Whether we messed up or misused his solutions or blessings, he still loves us and seeks a relationship with us. When God is on your side your

Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

Weekly Reflection Romans 6:12-14-NIV

Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

Do you ever find yourself using this statement? Everyone sins.  You are correct! We are all sinners. If we were not sinners, then we would not need a Savior. Therefore, Jesus