The Word For Today

Blessings in the Mighty Name of Yeshua Hamashiach!

Luke 9:23 AMPC

And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [disown himself, forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, refuse and give up himself] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also].

I regularly hear people quote this verse to point to some burden they must carry in their life. A demanding/thankless job, a disease, a broken relationship, or a challenging situation. They will say this is their cross to bear.

But this is not what Jesus meant when he said “pick up your cross and follow me.” This is self-pity and pride. What Jesus is talking about is the level to which we are to deny ourselves.

“In the Roman…

Blessings in the Mighty Name of Yeshua Hamashiach!

Our words have the power to destroy and the power to build up (Proverbs 12:6). The writer of Proverbs tells us, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21). Are we using words to build up people or destroy them? Are they being filled with hate or love, bitterness or blessing, complaining or compliments, lust or love, victory or defeat? Words are tools that can make life better, but any tool can be misused.

Today, many use words as weapons to attack those who oppose them. I remember when political leaders and news journalists spoke with caution, and certain things were never to be spoken publicly. Jesus reminds us that the words we speak are actually the overflow of our hearts (Matthew 12:34–35). When one becomes a Christian, there is…

Blessings in the Mighty Name of Yeshua Hamashiach!

Galatians 5:22-23 AMPC

But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, [23]  Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].

The "Fruits of the Spirit" refers to a list of virtues and character traits in the book of Galatians 5:22-23. The Apostle Paul writes about these qualities as attributes that should be evident in the lives of Christians, produced by the Holy Spirit within believers. The Fruits of the Spirit are essential to living a Christian life. They are THE EVIDENCE OF ONE'S RELATIONSHIP WITH YESHUA!

Those in Christ are differentiated from disbelievers in that they have been endowed with the Holy Spirit, allowing them to bear these spiritual fruits.

The Greek…

Blessings in the Mighty Name of Yeshua Hamashiach!

1 John 4:4 AMPC

Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world.

God is truly greater than anything in the world. Christ’s followers will encounter false teachers. Yet God is greater. Christians will face hardships, and sorrows, and all sorts of troubles. God is greater. Believers will be let down and hurt by others, but God is greater than all of that. God is greater than one’s worries, fears, and concerns. God is greater than the enemy who roams around like a lion looking for someone to devour (see 1 Peter 5:8).

Earlier in this letter, the apostle John wrote that believers are beloved children of God (see 1 John 3:1). The…