FROM THE KEYBOARD

Dead religion brings man's retribution because it's built on self-righteousness. Conversely, true religion brings God's redemption because it's built on Christ's righteousness. "And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith" (Philippians 3:9).

In God’s economy, a closed door isn’t a dead end, but direction that always proves to be a Godsend. You see, the Holy Spirit guides with the closing of doors just as much as He does by the opening of doors. "After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them" (Acts 16:7).

God's faithfulness should be the frame of reference of our prayerfulness. In other words, knowing God's heart should shape the prayers of our heart. "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us" (I John 5:14).

In these times most incredible, one cannot clearly see what is happening without the Truth of the Bible. We can read the sky, but how about the signs of the times? "Then He also said to the multitudes, “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is. And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is. Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?" (Luke 12:54-56).

God will often lead us into the wilderness in order to wean us from worldliness. Why? Because it's usually a desert-like trial that makes us crave the Living Water. "O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water" (Psalm 63:1).

In a wayward world, it is easy to get weary and worried on the journey. But stay faithful, because the fruit of your labor blooms later. "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" (Galatians 6:9).