-
True Happiness
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32 (NIV) So often, I hear people speaking about what makes them happy. But what exactly is happiness? According to an article on verywellmind.com titled “What Is Happiness?” written by Kendra Cherry, “Happiness is an emotional state characterized by joy, satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment.” The article acknowledges that happiness can take on different forms and definitions and “is often described as involving positive emotions and life satisfaction.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines happiness as “a state of well-being and contentment,” as well as “a pleasurable or satisfying experience.” Although there are many different definitions of happiness,…
-
A Promised Seed
And I will cause hostility between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring.He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15 NLT In Genesis 3:15, following the fall of humanity, our Heavenly Father declared and gave us a hint of His plan to restore our relationship with Him. The serpent (devil) deceived Eve into eating the forbidden fruit, but Adam willfully disobeyed the Word of the Lord. Because of this act of disobedience, humanity fell. However, because of God’s unfailing love and mercy, He promised that one day the woman’s seed—a descendant or offspring – would restore our relationship with Him. “And…
-
Uncompromised Faith
"I issue a decree that in every part of my Kingdom, people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and endures forever; his Kingdom will not be destroyed, and his dominion will never end." Daniel 6:26 NIV According to the Book of Daniel, Chapters 5 & 6, no matter how much authority we believe we have on earth, we learn that God is ultimately in control. He is supreme over all creation. A message for the King of Babylon appeared on the wall during a lavish feast. Daniel was called to interpret the message, which told of the impending fall of Babylon. “The…
-
La Santidad de Dios Silencia La jactancia Humana
Cuando Isaías vio la santidad de Dios, cayó sobre su rostro y se dio cuenta de que no era digno de estar en la presencia del Señor Todopoderoso. La santidad de Dios silenció su jactancia humana. ¿Con qué frecuencia nos encontramos en situaciones en las que sentimos la tentación de jactarnos de nuestro trabajo, estatus o posesiones? Sin embargo, cuando nos encontramos cara a cara con Jesús, nada de eso importa. La visión de Isaías nunca fue sobre él, sino sobre Dios y su gloria. Isaías estaba consciente de su inmundicia e indignidad cuando se encontró con Dios. Se humilló en la presencia de Dios y dijo: “¡Ay de mí!…
-
God’s Holiness, Silence Human Boasting
Humans tend to boast about many things: our careers, accomplishments, financial status, etc. But today, the Lord showed me through Isaiah that who we think we are and what we have can’t be compared to Who God is and His holiness. When Isaiah saw God’s holiness, he fell on his face and realized that he was unworthy to be in the presence of the Lord Almighty. This is because God’s holiness silences his human boasting. “Woe to me! I cried. ‘I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”…
-
When God Unexpectanly Shows Up
I remember going to school in the fall of 1992 to take a midterm exam. The night before my husband and I had a heated argument the previous evening. I don’t remember what the fight was about, but I do recall that we were both angry and didn’t speak to each other after it. We were both ready to give up. Everything was going wrong. I felt like God was so very far away from me. Early that morning, I dropped off my daughters at school before taking my midterm. After finishing the exam, I felt an overwhelming desire to call my husband and ask him for his forgiveness. So,…
-
Facing Our Goliath
Last Saturday, my husband took me to see “David” at the Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I prayed to the Lord right before the concert started, asking Him to keep me from being distracted from the message He wanted me to learn. When the show started, my mind completely blocked the noises, the people’s complaints regarding their seats’ locations, and the sound effects; I could only see David, a shepherd boy playing his harp and singing songs to His God. Then the Lord focused my attention on David’s reaction to the threat Goliath represented to the Israelites. When David saw how Goliath mocked God, he said, “Who is…
-
A Lamp for Living an Obedient Life Through Grace
What are you seeking today? Are you seeking God first? Or are you so preoccupied with living your daily life and trying to accomplish your goals? Following the death of his father, King David, God appeared to King Solomon in a dream and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” (1 King 3:5-6) Instead of asking for wealth, power, or the destruction of all his enemies, King Solomon asked the Lord to give him a discerning heart to govern God’s people and to distinguish between right and wrong. (1 King 3:6-9) King Solomon understood that he needed God’s wisdom and guidance in order to lead God’s people. God was pleased…
-
In Your Presence
Many mornings I lay awake, tempted to stay in bed, and have no desire to go through my “to-do list.” When this happens, I always feel the soft whispering of the Holy Spirit saying, “Celeste, you need to get up and spend time with me.” Truth be told, my entire day falls apart when I ignore this prompting. I have learned how important it is for me to begin my day in the arms of my Heavenly Father. He loves me so much that He knows what would happen if I don’t start my day in His presence. In Psalm 143:8, David urges us to start our day in the…
-
Life is by Design and by Choice
We often ask ourselves, why am I going through a dark season? Where are you, Lord? Darkness is an overwhelming cloud that sneaks up when you least expect it. So how do we fight this overwhelming darkness that engulfs us and leaves us paralyzed with fear? The Scripture tells us that whenever King David was about to face a battle or fear tried to overpower him, he always withdrew and sought the Lord. David knew that God was faithful; therefore, he had hope in the One who loved him and fought his battles. The One who knew him; forgave his sins and saved him by grace. So, David came to…
