Tagged: message of the day

“My soul is consumed with longing for Your ordinances at all times.” –Psalm 119:20 In our selfishness and injustice, we are setting ourselves up for a famine for hearing the Word of the Lord (Am 8:11). When we sin, we contribute to a society which closes its ears and hearts to God’s Word. In many corporations, God’s Word is not welcome and not tolerated. For Christians such as myself who work in such situations of a famine for God’s Word in the workplace, we long for His Word. During our time at work, we say: “I long for Your precepts…hide...

“I for My part declare to you, you are ‘Rock,’ and on this rock I will build My Church, and the jaws of death shall not prevail against it. I will entrust to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” –Matthew 16:18-19 Jesus has decided to give Peter and his successors “the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” The keys are a symbol of authority. Thus, the Lord has given authority to Peter, and all of the popes, as head of the universal Church. This authority to bind and loose (see Mt 16:19) is in the areas of faith...

“Indeed, the Lord God does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants, the prophets.” –Amos 3:7 The above verse has been an important foundation of Presentation Ministries since our beginning. Our ministry seeks to operate in the prophetic word of God, that now-word (Ez 33:30) which pierces hearts and brings conversion, discipleship, and Kingdom-victory. Prophecy is not necessarily telling what will happen in the future, although that can be part of prophecy. Prophecy is simply speaking or writing what God wants said at the moment He wants it said. The Holy Spirit knows exactly the right word for the...

“Lord, let me go and bury my father first.” –Matthew 8:21 Jesus would not allow a potential disciple to first bury his father. Many Scripture scholars have commented that this man’s father had not yet died, and so anyone who wishes to be Jesus’ disciple must renounce all His possessions, including a potential inheritance (see Lk 14:33). Elsewhere, Jesus said that if anyone comes to Him without hating his father and mother, that person cannot be His disciple (see Lk 14:26, RNAB). Hate is a strong word. In the language of Jesus’ time, there were no words to express the...

“Would You not have us call down fire?” –Luke 9:54 James and John asked Jesus: ” ‘Lord, would You not have us call down fire from heaven to destroy them?’ [Jesus] turned toward them only to reprimand them” (Lk 9:54-55). On another occasion, Jesus proclaimed: “I have come to light a fire on the earth. How I wish the blaze were ignited!” (Lk 12:49) Sometimes Jesus wants to call down fire; at other times, He doesn’t. Elijah was the world champion in calling down fire from heaven (see 1 Kgs 18:38; 2 Kgs 1:10, 12; Sir 48:3). However, on at...