Open Hands Ministries's Blog

His Grace Is Sufficient

Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under… Continue

Added by Open Hands Ministries on January 31, 2010 at 6:53am — No Comments

God Revealed

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God,… Continue

Added by Open Hands Ministries on January 29, 2010 at 2:58pm — No Comments

Letting Each Other Down

But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “ Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.

3 For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba… Continue

Added by Open Hands Ministries on January 27, 2010 at 7:09pm — 1 Comment

The Gift of Grace

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’” 16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time. The… Continue

Added by Open Hands Ministries on January 24, 2010 at 3:30pm — No Comments

Staying Young All Your Life

12 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

13 Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.

14 They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing,

15 To declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

Psalm 92:12-15

Some people are old before their 40th birthday; others reach 90 and still… Continue

Added by Open Hands Ministries on January 23, 2010 at 10:15am — No Comments

A Reflection of Jesus

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does James 1:22-25

Close your eyes for a… Continue

Added by Open Hands Ministries on January 21, 2010 at 3:29pm — 1 Comment

When Storms Come

Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. Matthew 14:22-23

Storms are inevitable. In nature, powerful tempests leave a changed landscape behind them. In our lives, challenging circumstances can force us to shift direction.

When… Continue

Added by Open Hands Ministries on January 18, 2010 at 7:48pm — No Comments

Proclaiming Freedom

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

When I start my day, the one event I am most excited about is my next Talk. I do not spend my time preparing an entry about what I think. No, I share what God speaks to my heart and teaches me. You are called to do the same for people in your… Continue

Added by Open Hands Ministries on January 17, 2010 at 6:22am — No Comments

How Strong is Your Foundation of Faith?

1Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. 3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also. Hebrews 13:1-3

Discouragement and fragmented thinking often accompany troubled times. But we do not have to give in to thoughts that God might have forsaken us. A simple but profound scriptural truth provides the… Continue

Added by Open Hands Ministries on January 14, 2010 at 8:58pm — No Comments

Just Keep Praying!

9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to… Continue

Added by Open Hands Ministries on January 13, 2010 at 6:43pm — No Comments

Know Your Enemy

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12

Satan does exist—our broken society testifies to his reality. Those who… Continue

Added by Open Hands Ministries on January 10, 2010 at 6:19am — No Comments

Give Thanks in Every Situation

16 Rejoice always,

17 pray without ceasing,

18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Some verses are easier to memorize than put into practice. If we could simply remove a word or two, God’s commands would seem so much easier to accomplish. Giving thanks is easy, but giving thanks in everything is a nearly impossible task. Often gratitude seems inappropriate, considering the depth of… Continue

Added by Open Hands Ministries on January 9, 2010 at 6:46am — No Comments

Profit from the Pain

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD

Forever. Psalm 23:5-6

People rarely think of suffering as profitable. But when facing the difficulty and pain of a valley experience, we mature spiritually. We make discoveries about ourselves when trials peel away… Continue

Added by Open Hands Ministries on January 7, 2010 at 7:52pm — No Comments

A Passion to Know Jesus

3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But… Continue

Added by Open Hands Ministries on January 6, 2010 at 3:53am — No Comments

Confidence Centered in Christ

4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.2 Corinthians 3:4-6

Confidently trusting the Lord brings many blessings. These include spiritual growth, personal achievement, peace, and… Continue

Added by Open Hands Ministries on January 4, 2010 at 8:03pm — No Comments

The Power of Confidence

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Paul was a confident man. During his earlier years, the apostle’s positive attitude came from trusting in his credentials, namely, his background, education, and position. However, his encounter with the… Continue

Added by Open Hands Ministries on January 3, 2010 at 7:18am — No Comments

Walking Through the Valley

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:1-4

In the Bible, valleys symbolize periods of hardship and suffering. David… Continue

Added by Open Hands Ministries on January 1, 2010 at 7:04pm — No Comments

Open Hands Ministries's Blog – January 2010 Archive (17)