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Everyone is hiding something, and it’s not because they’re deceptive. It’s just that some wounds are too private. When your husband is being insensitive and uncaring the pain can be too deep to discuss. When your wife wounds you with acid words you’re crushed inside but you can’t show it. So you both go off, lick your wounds and try to avoid the comments and questions of others. Is that where you are today, struggling with something too painful to talk about? If so, realise that others are too! Their anger is a symptom. Their aloofness just hides their fear of being known and maybe rejected because they’ve been hurt before. Jesus saw the best in the worst of people and went out of His way to be gracious to them. Do you remember how He treated the woman ‘caught in the act’ of adultery? (See John 8). Public exposure! Can you imagine the depth of her shame? Yet Jesus saw someone worth saving, loved her, lifted her and gave her the strength to do better. You are called to do that too! So r

Everyone is hiding something, and it’s not because they’re deceptive. It’s just that some wounds are too private. When your husband is being insensitive and uncaring the pain can be too deep to discuss. When your wife wounds you with acid words you’re crushed inside but you can’t show it. So you both go off, lick your wounds and try to avoid the comments and questions of others. Is that where you are today, struggling with something too painful to talk about? If so, realise that others are too! Their anger is a symptom. Their aloofness just hides their fear of being known and maybe rejected because they’ve been hurt before. Jesus saw the best in the worst of people and went out of His way to be gracious to them. Do you remember how He treated the woman ‘caught in the act’ of adultery? (See John 8). Public exposure! Can you imagine the depth of her shame? Yet Jesus saw someone worth saving, loved her, lifted her and gave her the strength to do better. You are called to do that too! So r

‘…Set an example…in life...’ 1 Timothy 4:12 NIV    In 1994 golfer Davis Love III called a one-stroke penalty on himself during the second round of the Western Open. He moved his marker to get it out of another player’s putting line and later he couldn’t remember if he’d moved his ball back to its original spot. Since he wasn’t certain he gave himself an extra stroke, and that one stroke caused him to miss the cut. He was eliminated from the tournament, (ironically, if he’d made the cut, even if he finished last he’d have earned $2,000 that week). At year’s end Love was $590 short in winnings to automatically qualify for the Masters and needed to win a tournament in order to get into one of golf’s most coveted events. Fortunately, the story ends well. The week before the big event he qualified by winning a tournament in New Orleans, and went on to earn $237,600 by finishing second in the 1995 Masters. Later when Love was asked how he’d have felt if he’d missed the Masters

‘…Set an example…in life...’ 1 Timothy 4:12 NIV    In 1994 golfer Davis Love III called a one-stroke penalty on himself during the second round of the Western Open. He moved his marker to get it out of another player’s putting line and later he couldn’t remember if he’d moved his ball back to its original spot. Since he wasn’t certain he gave himself an extra stroke, and that one stroke caused him to miss the cut. He was eliminated from the tournament, (ironically, if he’d made the cut, even if he finished last he’d have earned $2,000 that week). At year’s end Love was $590 short in winnings to automatically qualify for the Masters and needed to win a tournament in order to get into one of golf’s most coveted events. Fortunately, the story ends well. The week before the big event he qualified by winning a tournament in New Orleans, and went on to earn $237,600 by finishing second in the 1995 Masters. Later when Love was asked how he’d have felt if he’d missed the Masters

‘…Set an example…in life...’ 1 Timothy 4:12 NIV Writer Kathryn Lay learned about honesty when she was on holiday in Texas. She and her husband were having lunch at a little restaurant when a lady walked in, handed her a dollar bill and said, ‘I’m sorry, but I short-changed you earlier.’ Recognising her as a sales assistant from a store she’d been in earlier Lay asked, ‘How’d you know I was here?’ Amazed, she learned that the woman had gone from store to store looking for her. Lay also tells about another man who returned a TV to the store and got his money back. Later, after realising the amount had also been credited to his Visa he did nothing. Lay writes: ‘Does God want us to be just a little honest…or only in certain situations…or only when someone’s looking? How much dishonesty is too much? Sometimes I’m the only person who knows whether I’m being honest or not. Do I keep the extra change, cheat on my expenses, ignore the double credit on my statement? Do I tell my da

‘…Set an example…in life...’ 1 Timothy 4:12 NIV Writer Kathryn Lay learned about honesty when she was on holiday in Texas. She and her husband were having lunch at a little restaurant when a lady walked in, handed her a dollar bill and said, ‘I’m sorry, but I short-changed you earlier.’ Recognising her as a sales assistant from a store she’d been in earlier Lay asked, ‘How’d you know I was here?’ Amazed, she learned that the woman had gone from store to store looking for her. Lay also tells about another man who returned a TV to the store and got his money back. Later, after realising the amount had also been credited to his Visa he did nothing. Lay writes: ‘Does God want us to be just a little honest…or only in certain situations…or only when someone’s looking? How much dishonesty is too much? Sometimes I’m the only person who knows whether I’m being honest or not. Do I keep the extra change, cheat on my expenses, ignore the double credit on my statement? Do I tell my da

                     BE BORN AGAIN.’ JOHN 3:7 NIV The Bible says 130 years after Adam first sinned, he was still fathering children ‘in his own likeness’ (Genesis 5:3 NIV). And as Adam’s descendants we have all been born with the nature of fallen man. Sometimes people say, ‘He’s just like his old man.’ Or we say, ‘My dad was an angry man, now I’ve got his temper!’ ‘My dad couldn’t stay with my mom, now I’m going through a divorce.’ ‘My dad was an alcoholic, now look at my drinking and drugging!’ ‘My dad was a workaholic, now I put in14 hours a day.’ ‘My dad wasn’t affectionate with us, now I don’t know how to be loving toward my children.’ History repeats itself over and over through our fallen nature. Here’s a fascinating example: ‘Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her’ (Genesis 20:2 NIV). Abraham was willing to sacrifice Sarah to save his own neck. What would you have done? Before you answer, notice that Isaac wasn

                     BE BORN AGAIN.’ JOHN 3:7 NIV The Bible says 130 years after Adam first sinned, he was still fathering children ‘in his own likeness’ (Genesis 5:3 NIV). And as Adam’s descendants we have all been born with the nature of fallen man. Sometimes people say, ‘He’s just like his old man.’ Or we say, ‘My dad was an angry man, now I’ve got his temper!’ ‘My dad couldn’t stay with my mom, now I’m going through a divorce.’ ‘My dad was an alcoholic, now look at my drinking and drugging!’ ‘My dad was a workaholic, now I put in14 hours a day.’ ‘My dad wasn’t affectionate with us, now I don’t know how to be loving toward my children.’ History repeats itself over and over through our fallen nature. Here’s a fascinating example: ‘Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her’ (Genesis 20:2 NIV). Abraham was willing to sacrifice Sarah to save his own neck. What would you have done? Before you answer, notice that Isaac wasn

We learn from the spider that: a) your size doesn't determine your potential, your spirit does b) no matter where you start, you can end up in the king's palace. What's the message of the spider? As long as you live, keep producing! You might not produce as much as somebody else but you've got to keep producing. You might not be able to produce what you used to but keep producing. Jesus taught that some of us produce thirty fold, others sixty fold and some a hundredfold (Matthew 13:8). We don't all produce at the same level, but we must all produce at some level. Don't get intimidated because the other guy is producing a hundredfold and you're only producing sixty fold. You're only accountable for what God gives you! The Bible says, 'They shall bring forth fruit in old age' (Psalm 92:14). Look out; retirement can be dangerous to your health! Keep your mind alert, your dreams alive, and your body moving. You might be old and less agile but you hav

We learn from the spider that: a) your size doesn't determine your potential, your spirit does b) no matter where you start, you can end up in the king's palace. What's the message of the spider? As long as you live, keep producing! You might not produce as much as somebody else but you've got to keep producing. You might not be able to produce what you used to but keep producing. Jesus taught that some of us produce thirty fold, others sixty fold and some a hundredfold (Matthew 13:8). We don't all produce at the same level, but we must all produce at some level. Don't get intimidated because the other guy is producing a hundredfold and you're only producing sixty fold. You're only accountable for what God gives you! The Bible says, 'They shall bring forth fruit in old age' (Psalm 92:14). Look out; retirement can be dangerous to your health! Keep your mind alert, your dreams alive, and your body moving. You might be old and less agile but you hav

Some spiders have so much venom in them that they can kill anything they come in contact with, simply by releasing what's in their mouth. What's the message of the spider? Check what's coming out of your mouth! Paul writes, 'Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God' (Romans 10:17). What are you taking in? What are you giving out? Faith or fear, hope or discouragement, joy or sadness, truth or error, love or bitterness? The Bible says, 'Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof' (Proverbs 18:21). Notice two things in this Scripture: 1) this is a life and death issue 2) your words are like seeds; they always produce fruit. You can't believe God for His best then go around expecting and expressing the worst. When what you say consistently contradicts what God's Word says, you're sabotaging yourself. The words you speak have power and consequences. So begin to correct yourself. Ins

Some spiders have so much venom in them that they can kill anything they come in contact with, simply by releasing what's in their mouth. What's the message of the spider? Check what's coming out of your mouth! Paul writes, 'Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God' (Romans 10:17). What are you taking in? What are you giving out? Faith or fear, hope or discouragement, joy or sadness, truth or error, love or bitterness? The Bible says, 'Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof' (Proverbs 18:21). Notice two things in this Scripture: 1) this is a life and death issue 2) your words are like seeds; they always produce fruit. You can't believe God for His best then go around expecting and expressing the worst. When what you say consistently contradicts what God's Word says, you're sabotaging yourself. The words you speak have power and consequences. So begin to correct yourself. Ins

How come a spider can walk across the sticky threads of its web and not get stuck, yet those same threads will trap every predator that enters? The secret is oil! Its tiny suction-cup shaped feet exude fresh oil with every step so it glides through stuff others can't survive or get bogged down in. What's the message of the spider? You need to be continually anointed with the oil of God's Spirit! Looking back, you realise that's what kept you sane when you thought you were going to lose your mind. It's why you made it when others didn't and it's why you need to stay filled with God's Spirit every day. The Psalmist said, 'I shall be anointed with fresh oil!' (Psalm 92:10). There are four truths in Exodus, chapter 30, concerning the anointing oil, that we need to keep in mind if we're going to live an anointed life. 1) Without it, our ministry is ineffective. 'Thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons…that they may minister unto me' (Exodus 3

How come a spider can walk across the sticky threads of its web and not get stuck, yet those same threads will trap every predator that enters? The secret is oil! Its tiny suction-cup shaped feet exude fresh oil with every step so it glides through stuff others can't survive or get bogged down in. What's the message of the spider? You need to be continually anointed with the oil of God's Spirit! Looking back, you realise that's what kept you sane when you thought you were going to lose your mind. It's why you made it when others didn't and it's why you need to stay filled with God's Spirit every day. The Psalmist said, 'I shall be anointed with fresh oil!' (Psalm 92:10). There are four truths in Exodus, chapter 30, concerning the anointing oil, that we need to keep in mind if we're going to live an anointed life. 1) Without it, our ministry is ineffective. 'Thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons…that they may minister unto me' (Exodus 3

The spider may have eight eyes, yet many spiders can barely see. What makes it an avid hunter is that the hair follicles on its legs are full of sensitivity and it can discern everything that's going on around it. What's the message of the spider? Use your God-given sense of discernment! You can discern more with your spirit than you can see with your eyes. 'Ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things' (1 John 2:20). God will let you know things you can neither prove nor explain. Jesus said that he would show us 'things to come' (John 16:13). But He won't do it so that we can ego trip or run around acting flakey. No, 'He shall glorify me: he shall receive of mine, and shall [show] it unto you' (John 16:14). God gives 'inside information' to those who seek to glorify Him. So stop living beneath your spiritual privilege. The old country church folks used to sing, 'The Holy Ghost done told me, everything's gonna be all r

The spider may have eight eyes, yet many spiders can barely see. What makes it an avid hunter is that the hair follicles on its legs are full of sensitivity and it can discern everything that's going on around it. What's the message of the spider? Use your God-given sense of discernment! You can discern more with your spirit than you can see with your eyes. 'Ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things' (1 John 2:20). God will let you know things you can neither prove nor explain. Jesus said that he would show us 'things to come' (John 16:13). But He won't do it so that we can ego trip or run around acting flakey. No, 'He shall glorify me: he shall receive of mine, and shall [show] it unto you' (John 16:14). God gives 'inside information' to those who seek to glorify Him. So stop living beneath your spiritual privilege. The old country church folks used to sing, 'The Holy Ghost done told me, everything's gonna be all r

The spider may have eight eyes, yet many spiders can barely see. What makes it an avid hunter is that the hair follicles on its legs are full of sensitivity and it can discern everything that's going on around it. What's the message of the spider? Use your God-given sense of discernment! You can discern more with your spirit than you can see with your eyes. 'Ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things' (1 John 2:20). God will let you know things you can neither prove nor explain. Jesus said that he would show us 'things to come' (John 16:13). But He won't do it so that we can ego trip or run around acting flakey. No, 'He shall glorify me: he shall receive of mine, and shall [show] it unto you' (John 16:14). God gives 'inside information' to those who seek to glorify Him. So stop living beneath your spiritual privilege. The old country church folks used to sing, 'The Holy Ghost done told me, everything's gonna be all r

The spider may have eight eyes, yet many spiders can barely see. What makes it an avid hunter is that the hair follicles on its legs are full of sensitivity and it can discern everything that's going on around it. What's the message of the spider? Use your God-given sense of discernment! You can discern more with your spirit than you can see with your eyes. 'Ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things' (1 John 2:20). God will let you know things you can neither prove nor explain. Jesus said that he would show us 'things to come' (John 16:13). But He won't do it so that we can ego trip or run around acting flakey. No, 'He shall glorify me: he shall receive of mine, and shall [show] it unto you' (John 16:14). God gives 'inside information' to those who seek to glorify Him. So stop living beneath your spiritual privilege. The old country church folks used to sing, 'The Holy Ghost done told me, everything's gonna be all r

When it's time to lay eggs the spider produces a particular type of silk thread and spins it into a protective sac, then deposits them. When an enemy comes to steal the spider's offspring, it gets trapped on the sticky fluids that line the silk. Then the spider wraps the enemy in another kind of thread and turns it into food. What's the message of the spider? The battle is over your future! Don't let the enemy have your children. Don't let him rob you of your potential. Don't let him steal your destiny. When those with weak wills, weak knees and weak faith saw the giants in the Promised Land they wanted to go back to Egypt. Not Caleb. He said, 'Neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us' (Numbers 14:9). When you understand what the battle in your life is about, you actually begin to feed off the stuff the enemy throws at you and say, 'Bring it on, what does not destroy me will only make me stronger.' Be like Shammah. 'W

When it's time to lay eggs the spider produces a particular type of silk thread and spins it into a protective sac, then deposits them. When an enemy comes to steal the spider's offspring, it gets trapped on the sticky fluids that line the silk. Then the spider wraps the enemy in another kind of thread and turns it into food. What's the message of the spider? The battle is over your future! Don't let the enemy have your children. Don't let him rob you of your potential. Don't let him steal your destiny. When those with weak wills, weak knees and weak faith saw the giants in the Promised Land they wanted to go back to Egypt. Not Caleb. He said, 'Neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us' (Numbers 14:9). When you understand what the battle in your life is about, you actually begin to feed off the stuff the enemy throws at you and say, 'Bring it on, what does not destroy me will only make me stronger.' Be like Shammah. 'W

Everything a spider needs to survive and succeed in life, God put within it. Swipe it with a broom and before it hits the ground, its fall is broken. It just reaches inside, releases another protein-filled silk-like thread, slides down, finds a safe place, then comes back stronger than ever and builds a new web. What's the message of the spider? Everything you need, God has placed within you! The Bible says, 'His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness…he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature' (2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV). What has God given us? 'Everything we need.' What has God made us participants in? 'His divine nature.' Wow! Your future is not determined by who you know and who you don't, who likes you and who doesn't. The power to fulfil your destiny is within you! The warfare over your life and the struggle you're in is about what you were born, c

Everything a spider needs to survive and succeed in life, God put within it. Swipe it with a broom and before it hits the ground, its fall is broken. It just reaches inside, releases another protein-filled silk-like thread, slides down, finds a safe place, then comes back stronger than ever and builds a new web. What's the message of the spider? Everything you need, God has placed within you! The Bible says, 'His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness…he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature' (2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV). What has God given us? 'Everything we need.' What has God made us participants in? 'His divine nature.' Wow! Your future is not determined by who you know and who you don't, who likes you and who doesn't. The power to fulfil your destiny is within you! The warfare over your life and the struggle you're in is about what you were born, c

A national news network recently reported on a man who was released from prison after serving time for a crime he didn’t commit. A case of mistaken identity had stolen many of his best years. And unless you understand who you are before God, satan will sentence you to a life of worthlessness, fear and manipulation. Identifying somebody means having the ability to recognise and say exactly who they are; so when you identify with what people say you are versus what God says, you’re setting yourself up for problems. Jesus identified only with God’s opinion. ‘ “…I know where I came from and where I am going…“ ’ People said terrible things about Jesus, yet the Bible says, ‘The stone…the builders rejected has become the…Cornerstone’ (Psalm 118:22 NKJ). Sometimes we’re so busy telling people what to do, that we neglect to tell them who they are. Knowing who you are in Christ gives you the confidence to hold your head high! Paul says, ‘In [Christ] you have been made complete…’ (Colossians 2:10

A national news network recently reported on a man who was released from prison after serving time for a crime he didn’t commit. A case of mistaken identity had stolen many of his best years. And unless you understand who you are before God, satan will sentence you to a life of worthlessness, fear and manipulation. Identifying somebody means having the ability to recognise and say exactly who they are; so when you identify with what people say you are versus what God says, you’re setting yourself up for problems. Jesus identified only with God’s opinion. ‘ “…I know where I came from and where I am going…“ ’ People said terrible things about Jesus, yet the Bible says, ‘The stone…the builders rejected has become the…Cornerstone’ (Psalm 118:22 NKJ). Sometimes we’re so busy telling people what to do, that we neglect to tell them who they are. Knowing who you are in Christ gives you the confidence to hold your head high! Paul says, ‘In [Christ] you have been made complete…’ (Colossians 2:10

He can’t walk, the pool isn’t easily accessible, and there are no motorised lifts. Then Jesus comes along and asks this man who’d been incapacitated for 38 years, ‘Do you want to be made well?’ What a question! Now, Jesus didn’t ask it because He didn’t know the answer; He did it to direct the man’s (and our) thinking along the right lines. He could just as easily have asked: ‘Are you ready to assume responsibility for your life? Do you really want that promotion, or is it easier to just gripe about money? Are you ready for marriage, for somebody who’ll share your life and make you reconsider your self-centred ways?’ Answers to our prayers often come with a price. For example, the family of an addict sometimes spends years praying for change, then when it happens they experience their own crises. Because their lives have centred around drama and dysfunction, they’ve never learned how to live any other way. At that point they have a choice to make: to keep blaming their problems on some