Jules Reyes

FAR FROM RESCUE

I once read an article about Sir Richard Branson's special wristwatch. Sir Richard was frank enough to say that he found it rather frivolous and would rather dispense with it altogether. But his security…

Psalm 119:155 (NLT)

HOLY COW

For a person living in the 21st Century, this Levitical command may seem like an irrelevant if not outdated one. But going beyond the issue of eating only animals that have hooves and such, the issue…

Leviticus 20:25 (KJV)

FOR A PALTRY SUM

The tabloids were screaming, "Killed for a paltry sum." For a small amount of money, a contract killer carries out his dastardly deed much to the delight of his client. Although this may seem to be a…

Matthew 26:14 (NLT), Matthew 26:15 (NLT), Matthew 26:16 (NLT)

CITIZENS OF GRACIOUSNESS

Grace. We have been given much despite our many faults and sins. Grace that is free and grace that we could never be able to earn, even on our most pious of days. So who are we then not be gracious in…

Colossians 4:6 (MSG)

ARTIFICIAL GODS

Go to any supermarket nowadays and you will likely see products lining the shelves that are partly or wholly artificial. Artificial milk. Artificial fruit juice. Artificial meat. Artificial coloring and…

Hosea 8:6 (NLT)

GOD IS NOT SURPRISED

There is absolutely nothing that I can ever say or do that can take God by surprise. Whether I speak at the spur of a moment or took concerted effort to consider my words, God already knew beforehand.…

Psalm 139:4 (NLT)

LEVEL UP FAITH

"Let's kick it up a notch." "Level up." "Take it to the next level." These popular phrases all speak about getting from where you are to another level that's more advanced or better. We usually equate…

Hebrews 6:1 (NLT), Hebrews 6:2 (NLT), Hebrews 6:3 (NLT)

THE PURPOSE OF PERSECUTION

God never said his children are exempt from life's trials, tribulations and persecution. At times he allows this to define our faith, to refine our character and to shine a light on his grace working…

2 Thessalonians 1:4 (NLT), 2 Thessalonians 1:5 (NLT)

GOD IS THE DEFINITION

"Circular reference error" in Microsoft Excel means you are trying to define a parameter using its own self as the unit of measure. It doesn't work. But in God's logic, it works perfectly. This is because…

2 Thessalonians 1:11 (NLT), 2 Thessalonians 1:12 (NLT)

PROOF IS IN THE FRUIT

The phrase "the proof of the pudding is in the eating" means that the true value or quality of something can only be judged when it's put to use. Same with Christians. You can't claim to be one if the…

Colossians 1:6 (NLT)

BODY CHANGE

Mechanics recommend you have your car's oil changed every 5,000 kilometers to ensure your engine's normal operation. If only it were that easy to keep our bodies always in tip-top shape. Yet the Bible…

Philippians 3:21 (NLT)

MAKING SENSE OF GOD

I'm often guilty of finishing people's sentences specially when what they've been saying so far doesn't make sense to me. But with God, our "sincere" efforts to make sense of his plans will often give…

Genesis 16:1 (NLT), Genesis 16:2 (NLT), Genesis 16:3 (NLT)

OBEDIENT, NOT RELIGIOUS

God never asks anyone to be a religious nut--that is, we become so embroiled in religious works and traditions yet fail to listen and respond to his voice. Religion will not save you but obedience to…

1 Samuel 15:22 (MSG)

WHEN A LEADER SINS

It is almost like current events. A leader so many looked up to now embroiled in a life of sin. As a result, the consequences of his ungodliness have now come to bear not only on himself but also on everyone…

2 Chronicles 12:1 (NLT), 2 Chronicles 12:2 (NLT), 2 Chronicles 12:3 (NLT), 2 Chronicles 12:4 (NLT)

UNWILLING TO LISTEN

“The ear of the leader must ring with the voices of the people." - Woodrow Wilson Many a leader have failed because they refuse to listen to input specially from other leaders around them. They ultimately…

1 Chronicles 21:1 (NLT), 1 Chronicles 21:2 (NLT), 1 Chronicles 21:3 (NLT), 1 Chronicles 21:4 (NLT)

THE DIFFERENCE IS GOD

There are types of fighter aircraft that are known as "air superiority fighters" that are designed to be so technically advanced that they can outgun, outmaneuver and outwit any enemy aircraft in the…

1 Chronicles 5:18 (NIV84), 1 Chronicles 5:19 (NIV84), 1 Chronicles 5:20 (NIV84), 1 Chronicles 5:21 (NIV84), 1 Chronicles 5:22 (NIV84), 1 Chronicles 5:23 (NIV84), 1 Chronicles 5:24 (NIV84), 1 Chronicles 5:25 (NIV84), 1 Chronicles 5:26 (NIV84)

WILLING TO LISTEN BUT NOT TO CHANGE

Psalm 95:8 "Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness." Governor Felix, whose wife was a Jew, was certainly familiar with "the Way" as mentioned…

Acts 24:24 (NLT), Acts 24:25 (NLT), Acts 24:26 (NLT)

LEAD YOUR CHILDREN TO GOD

Manasseh, a man the Scriptures describes as "evil in the Lord's sight." A person so deprived of all moral fiber that he even sacrificed his own son to a pagan god. Can you imagine doing this to your own…

2 Kings 21:1 (AMP), 2 Kings 21:2 (AMP), 2 Kings 21:3 (AMP), 2 Kings 21:4 (AMP), 2 Kings 21:5 (AMP), 2 Kings 21:6 (AMP)

GOD WILL PROVE HIMSELF

Are you at a point in your life where people are belittling your faith and the God that you serve? Fear not for the Lord God that you serve will more than prove himself stronger than the poisonous claims…

1 Kings 20:28 (NLT)

PERSECUTION & PURPOSE

It is amazing that God uses what we would define as persecution to carry out the spreading of the Gospel to those who need to hear it. And often we are dumbfounded as to what to make of ourselves during…

Acts 11:19 (NLT), Acts 11:20 (NLT), Acts 11:21 (NLT)

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS SOVEREIGN

In as much as the Holy Spirit at times participates in the activities of the Church, very often, he will surprise us with the things he does and how he goes about in accomplishing his tasks. This only…

Acts 11:17 (NLT)

DONKEYS & DESTINY

So a couple of dumb donkeys where let loose and now are missing. So what? Yet another trivial and insignificant occurrence in someone's daily life. But not so in the life of a Believer. It may sound cliche…

1 Samuel 9:19 (NLT), 1 Samuel 9:20 (NLT)

PASS IT ON

Try this simple experiment and see which one small kids will prefer. Their favorite music playing on the stereo or a video of a Saturday-morning cartoon on the television. Nearly 100 percent of the time,…

UNFINISHED TASKS

For some reason or another, the Israelites were unable to drive out the nations already occupying the land of Canaan. Because of superior numbers, fortified cities, iron chariots or just sheer determination,…

Judges 2:1 (NLT), Judges 2:2 (NLT), Judges 2:3 (NLT)

OPPORTUNITY LOST

"Because you did not accept your opportunity for salvation." This passage depicts Jesus approaching the city of Jerusalem and prophesied its downfall in just a scant 70 years after his death and resurrection.…

Luke 19:44 (NLT)