https://renewalchristiancenter.org Fri, 10 Jul 2026 02:00:00 +0000 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 02:00:00 +0000 hourly 1 3600 SnapPages.com https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/08/03/can-god-count-on-you Mon, 03 Aug 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/08/03/can-god-count-on-you

The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives whose names were Shiphrah and Puah "when you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live."
The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, "Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?"
The midwives answered Pharaoh, "Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive."
So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, He gave them families of their own.

Pharaoh had an agenda: To diminish and possibly eliminate the people of God. The most direct way to do that was to eliminate life at infancy: Don't let the male infants see the light of day; kill them at birth! Pharaoh was counting on the Hebrew midwives to help carry out his murderous plan. The midwives, however, feared God and refused to murder the baby boys.

When confronted by Pharaoh, they gave an answer that could only have been inspired by divine wisdom: "Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive." As a result of their God-fearing stance, God looked with favor on the midwives and rewarded them. God could count on the midwives. They used their careers to serve God's purposes.

Our professions and careers, must ultimately serve the purposes of God's kingdom. There are times when we are enticed by superiors to become part of decisions and actions that are contrary to what is right before God. Those can be challenging and trying moments for our livelihood and careers. Do we get roped in because of the fear of economic losses and possible jeopardizing of our careers? Or do we take a stand for what is right and trust God to see us through? Can God count on us for His Kingdom agenda?

The Hebrew midwives took a stand for God. They stood against evil and God blessed, protected and rewarded them. Can God count on you to take a stand for His agenda? Taking a stand for the divine agenda is never easy but the reward is ultimately immeasurable. It is a practical expression of our faith in the Living God. It is a sign of our trust in God. God Himself says in Isaiah 49:23, "...those who hope in me will not be disappointed." When God counts on you, you can count on His blessing and protection. Can God count on you?

PRAYER:
Father, I ask for grace for the times ahead. Help me to be steadfast in my faith so that you can count on me to take a stand for your purposes. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/08/02/if-god-be-for-you-who-can-be-against-you Sun, 02 Aug 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/08/02/if-god-be-for-you-who-can-be-against-you

Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. "Look, he said to his people. The Israelites have become far too numerous for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous, and when war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave our country.
So they put slave masters over them with forced labor and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread, so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and they worked them ruthlessly. Exodus 1:8–14 NIV

Through Joseph, God had spared Egypt from destruction during a harsh famine. As a result, Joseph's family came to dwell in Egypt and God richly prospered and multiplied them. But the blessings did not go unnoticed. Years later, Pharaoh felt so threatened by the prosperity of the Israelites that they started oppressing them and using them as slaves. "But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread, so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites…"

The blessings of God do not go unnoticed by the Enemy. Divine favor is certain to attract fierce attacks and opposition from the Adversary. Satan took notice of the blessings of Job and salivated over the opportunity to attack and destroy him. Joseph's brothers noticed the favor of God upon his life and left him in a pit to die. Saul noticed the anointing and favor of God on David and he hunted him down day and night to destroy him. Daniel's colleagues noticed God's favor on him and they plotted and had him thrown in a lion's den. Herod heard about the birth of King Jesus and killed every baby two years and under in Bethlehem, hoping to get rid of Jesus.

Divine favor attracts persecution. The blessings on your life are a treat to the Enemy, but if God be for you, who can be against you? God will protect and rescue you. He rescued Job. He rescued Joseph. He rescued David. He rescued Daniel. The eyes of the Lord are upon you. He will show Himself strong on your behalf. Don't be afraid if your blessings are attracting attacks and opposition. If God be for you, who can be against you? The more you are attacked, the more you will multiply and spread.

PRAYER:
Father, I thank you for your favor upon my life. Please give me the strength to endure, persevere and overcome every form of oppression from the Enemy. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/08/01/may-you-flourish-like-a-palm-tree Sat, 01 Aug 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/08/01/may-you-flourish-like-a-palm-tree

You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; fine oils have been poured on me.
My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries; my ears have heard the route of my wicked foes. The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; 
Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, "The LORD is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him." Psalm 92:10-15.

As you step out today:
May God exalt your horn like that of a wild ox.
May fine oils be poured on you.
May your eyes see the defeat of your enemies.
May your adversaries become your advocates.
May God fight all your battles for you.
May God route your enemies before you.
When your enemies come one way, may they flee seven ways. 
May God cause you to flourish like the Palm tree.
May the work of your hands be blessed.
May you be a sought after person in your calling and profession.
May your feet be firmly planted in the house of our God.
May God use you as a Kingdom-Builder for His glory.
May you live to a ripe old age. 
May divine health be your portion.
Even in your old age, may you continue to flourish.
May you always stay fresh and green.
May your lips continually praise the Lord.
May no blemish taint your testimony for Jesus.
May your life be a continual pleasing sacrifice to God.

Amen.

PRAYER:
Father, I thank you for each of these blessings. I receive them into my life for your glory. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/31/cleaning-up-is-never-easy Fri, 31 Jul 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/31/cleaning-up-is-never-easy

The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne Abraham was mocking, and she said to Abraham, "Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman's son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac."
The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. But God said to him, "Do not be so distressed about the boy and your slave woman. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. I will make the son of the slave into a nation also, because he is your offspring."  Genesis 20:8-13

Cleaning up is never easy. Sometimes our homes are left unkempt for long periods of time and we are faced with the long and arduous task of cleaning up. Sometimes our teenage children leave their rooms a total mess with all kinds of things hidden in strategic places. With threats of punishment and loss of some privileges, they are compelled to reluctantly clean up their messy rooms. With stern unsmiling faces, parents pop in as inspectors to approve or disapprove of the quality of the cleaning. Cleanup is never easy. When we keep putting it off, our environment gets junky and much more difficult to clean up.

Our lives need periodic examination and clean up. Sometimes the choices we make can bring lots of junk into our lives. Things can get so messy that cleaning up can bring untold hardships and pain. But when left unattended to, the consequences get more and more ghastly.

Abraham and Sarah created a mess when Abraham accepted Sarah's proposal to have a child with her slave, Hagar. First, Hagar started disrespecting Sarah when she got pregnant. Sarah retaliated by maltreating her. She ran away and only returned when God instructed her to do so.  Next, Hagar's son Ishmael mocked Sarah when she was rejoicing over the birth of Isaac. This time, God agreed with Sarah that Hagar and her son had to leave for good. Sarah was right. Abraham was being distracted from his destiny by the drama surrounding Hagar and Ishmael. This was a painful thing for Abraham, "because it concerned his son." God, however, assured Abraham that there was no need to worry. He would bless Ishmael because he was Abraham's son as well. Abraham listened and God kept His promise.

There are times when the mess we create can be so overwhelming that it takes divine intervention to clean it up. Those moments can be painful. Sometimes relationships have to be let go as part of the cleanup. Sometimes certain dear things must be let go. But in the end, listening to God always pays off. It gives us the opportunity for a fresh start and the chance to refocus on our destiny. Cleanup is never easy, but the payoff is worth it.

PRAYER:
Search me, O God, and shine your light on any area of my life that needs to be cleaned up. Help me to submit and not to resist as you clean me up. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/30/hold-on-you-will-be-laughing-soon Thu, 30 Jul 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/30/hold-on-you-will-be-laughing-soon

Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore him.  . . . Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.
Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me."  . . . "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age." Genesis 21:1-7

Waiting for the fulfillment of God's promise is never easy. Doubts might set in and you might experience a crisis of faith.
There was a time when Abraham was unsure if God was ever going to come through and he gave in to Sarah's idea of having a child by her slave girl. Ishmael was the result, and a lot of chaos ensued. Abraham eventually drove Hagar and Ishmael out of the house to restore peace.

There was also a time when Abraham said to God, "You have given me no children and so a slave born in my household is going to be my heir." But God assured him that a child from his own loins was going to inherit him. God settled it with a covenant. That was a turning point for Abraham. Abraham believed the LORD and held unto his faith.

Only a year before the birth of Isaac, God assured Abraham that the promise was now due but Sarah laughed when she overheard the conversation because she thought it was ridiculously impossible! But exactly a year later, her laughter of disbelief was turned into a laughter of joy. In her own words: "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children?"

So hold on, God has not forgotten about you. Your Isaac is coming. 
Your laughter of disbelief will soon become a laughter of joy. Those who laughed at you will soon be laughing with you in celebration as you give praises to God. 
Hold on, you will be laughing soon! 

PRAYER:
Father, I thank you that no matter how long it takes, You always fulfill Your promise. I am confident that my mouth will soon be filled with laughter. I wait in expectation for that moment. Amen. 

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/29/blessed-by-divine-associations Wed, 29 Jul 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/29/blessed-by-divine-associations

So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and He brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived. Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains, for he was afraid to stay in Zoar.  . . .
One day the older daughter said to the younger, "Our father is old, and there is no man around here to give us children . . .   Let's get our father to drink wine and then sleep with him and preserve our family line through our father." . . . 
So both of Lot's daughters became pregnant by their father. The older daughter had a son, and she named him Moab; he is the father of the Moabites . . .  The younger daughter also had a son . . . he is the father of the Ammonites of today. Genesis 19:29-38

There are times when it becomes obvious that our lives have been particularly blessed because we became connected or associated with certain individuals. Lot's life is one such example. His uncle, Abraham took him along when God called Abraham out of his hometown. Abraham was ordained to be blessed by God and Lot became blessed by his association with Abraham. Lot became so blessed that he had to move away from Abraham because the land could not contain their livestock and other possessions together.

When Lot was given the opportunity by Abraham to move, he selfishly chose the most fertile land and left the "seemingly infertile land" to Abraham. But God continued to prosper Abraham because God, not the fertility of the land, was the source of Abraham's blessing. Lot ran into many difficulties after parting from Abraham, but Abraham always came to his rescue. In fact, Lot's life was spared when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because "He remembered Abraham, and He brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived."

Abraham was constantly building altars and calling upon the LORD, but there is no such indication on the part of Lot. Lot was blessed because he was under the spiritual covering of Abraham. It is probably fair to say that Lot's life started going downhill after he left Abraham's household. He went to live in a sinful environment which was eventually destroyed by God. His family line was preserved through incest with his daughters. Lot's disassociation from Abraham was as a result of a quarrel.

How we handle our "divine associations" does matter. Lot's separation from Abraham was due to a quarrel over material possessions. When God blesses our lives through people, we must be careful to handle those divine associations well. Parting might be inevitable at some point. But the way we part from those divine vessels, who have been used by God as a covering and blessing for our lives, does matter. Please think about it!

PRAYER:
Father, I thank you for the people you have used to bless my life. Please help me never to take those relationships for granted but to show godly gratitude at all times. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/28/the-hardness-of-the-human-heart Tue, 28 Jul 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/28/the-hardness-of-the-human-heart

So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, "Hurry and get out of this place, because the LORD is about to destroy the city." But his sons-in-law thought he was joking.
With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, "Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished." 
When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them. As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, "Flee for your lives! Don't look back, and don't stop anywhere in the plain!" . . . But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.  
Genesis 19:14-26

The night before Sodom was destroyed, two angels of God had struck some of the men and boys in the city with blindness. These men were violently insisting on having sex with the men (angels) who had been accommodated by Lot in his house. Obviously, what transpired had to be known in the entire city. The news had to travel around.

But it appears that the people were so steeped in sin that the incident struck no fear in their hearts. This is evidenced by a couple of things: First, when Lot warned his sons-in-law to flee from the city because of the impending destruction, they thought he was joking so they did not budge. Second, Lot himself was very hesitant to leave the city of Sodom. The angels "grasped his hands and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city." Third, against the clear warning not to look back, Lot's wife still looked back and became a pillar of salt. The hardness of the human heart is beyond explanation!

There is an element of blindness that overtakes us when we become comfortable in a sinful environment, even when we are not directly involved. We become blind to any signs of impending doom and our hearts become hardened; we are virtually impervious to any form of reasoning! That appears to have been Lot's state of mind when he hesitated to leave Sodom until the angels forced him to do so, and that is what caused Lot's wife to look back and become a pillar of salt! 

God is so merciful that He warns us and shows us many ways to avoid destruction before it overtakes us! When those warning signs appear, we can either think God is joking (like Lot's sons-in-law); or be hesitant to heed the warning (like Lot) or even violate the warning by looking back (like Lot's wife) because our hearts are reluctant to let go of the sinful environment. We end up as "Pillars of salt" because we are constantly looking back and not letting go!

May that not be our lot! May we quickly soften our hearts and heed every warning God gives us so that we will not be overtaken by destruction in any shape, form or fashion. 

PRAYER:
Lord, Please help me to soften my heart and heed to your voice at all times. Amen

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/27/when-the-righteous-plead-with-god Mon, 27 Jul 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/27/when-the-righteous-plead-with-god

Then the LORD said, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know." . . . Then Abraham approached Him and said: "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?"
What if there are fifty righteous people in the city?  . . . The Lord said, "If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake." Then Abraham spoke up again:  ". . . what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty?" . . .  "What if only forty are found there?" . . . "What if only thirty can be found there?" . . .  "[W]hat if only twenty can be found there?"
. . . Then he said, "May the LORD not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?" He answered, "For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it."  Genesis 18:20-32

"For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it!" "For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it!" God had revealed to Abraham that He was about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham started pleading with Him about sparing the city for the sake of the righteous. He started by asking God if He would spare the city for the sake of fifty? God agreed to spare the city if He found fifty righteous people. Abraham boldly kept pleading with God: How about forty-five righteous people? How about forty? How about thirty? How about twenty? How about ten? God graciously kept giving in to Abraham's plea: "For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it."

It is obvious that Abraham's righteousness before God gave him a "bargaining clout" with God. God listened as Abraham stood in the gap and kept pushing and pleading. The leverage we have with God when it comes to standing in the gap to plead the case for the righteous is astonishing. For the sake of just ten righteous people and the intercession of one righteous man, Abraham, God was willing to spare countless numbers of people from destruction.
God's greatest desire is to bless and not to judge. His desire is to spare not to destroy. 

Scripture says in Isaiah 55:7, "Let the wicked forsake their ways . . .  Let them turn to the LORD . . . for He will freely pardon." 
So, how far is God willing to go to show compassion, grace, mercy, and love? What won't God do to bless His children? God will spare nothing to show us mercy, grace, love and compassion.

Let's arise and plead with God for ourselves, our families, our churches, communities, and nations. God is willing to relent from bringing calamity. He is willing to spare judgment. He is willing to bless. He is willing to be gracious and merciful! Let's go boldly before the throne of grace and plead with Him! The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective.

PRAYER:
Father, you are merciful and gracious. Strengthen me to stand in the righteousness of Christ to continually plead the cause of humanity. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/26/privy-to-the-inner-workings-of-god Sun, 26 Jul 2026 01:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/26/privy-to-the-inner-workings-of-god

When the men got up to leave, they looked down toward Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them on their way. Then the LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.
For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what He has promised him." Genesis 18:16-19

God was on His way with two angels to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because the sins of the inhabitants had become unbearable. God and His angels had received lavish hospitality from Abraham but God had not disclosed to Abraham the reason why they were around Abraham's tent in the first place. Suddenly, God pauses and decides that He needed to level with Abraham. Abraham was going to be privy to divine secrets. God was going to let him in on the inner workings of the divine council: "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?"

That question gives a striking insight into the heart of God toward the righteous.
God desires to let the righteous in on His inner workings. Scripture bears this out in several instances. Psalm 25:14 says, "The LORD confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them." So, God desires to share confidential things with the righteous who have a true reverential fear for Him!

The Bible also declares in Amos 3:7 (NLT), "Indeed, the Sovereign LORD never does anything until He reveals His plans to His servants the prophets."
We also read in Job 15:8, "Do you listen in on God's council?"

How exciting but sobering and even frightening at the same time! God has a deep longing to share his thoughts and plans with us! He wants to tell us when He is about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah like He did with Abraham. But why would He do that? We see the reason in what He said to Abraham: "For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what He has promised him."

God desires to make us privy to the workings of His divine council because He has chosen us as vessels through whom His ways can be manifested from one generation to the next. As we know His secrets and do what is right and just, He will fulfill His promises to us. 

PRAYER:
Lord, I desire to be privy to the workings of your council. Please help me to be open to you. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/25/god-s-inexplicable-love-and-protection Sat, 25 Jul 2026 07:21:27 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/25/god-s-inexplicable-love-and-protection

Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev . . . and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, "She is my sister." Then Abimelek king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her. But God came to Abimelek in a dream one night and said to him, "You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman."  . . . Now return the man's wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live.  . . .
Early the next morning Abimelek summoned all his officials . . .  And Abimelek asked Abraham, "What was your reason for doing this?" Abraham replied, "I said to myself, "There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife,"
. . . And when God had me wander from my father's household, I said to her, "This is how you can show your love to me: Everywhere we go, say of me, "He is my brother."
Then Abimelek brought sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham, and returned Sarah his wife to him. And Abimelek said, "My land is before you; live wherever you like."  . . . 
Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelek, his wife and female slaves so they could have children again, for the LORD had kept all the women in Abimelek's household from conceiving because of Abraham's wife Sarah.  Genesis 20:1-17

Abraham had repeated the half-truth that Sarah was his sister with the justification that she was her father's daughter by a different mother. He worked out an agreement with Sarah to go along with that half-truth as a way of demonstrating her love to protect Abraham. Again, Abraham created a huge mess but God protected him and kept Abimelek from violating Sarah.

God's words of confrontation to Abimelek were very strong: "You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken . . .  Now return the man's wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live." 
Abraham prayed for Abimelek and all the curse on his household was reversed and his life was spared. 

The compassion, love, and protection of God is simply beyond measure. He spared Abimelek out of compassion. Beyond that, however, is the amazing protection and love he covered Abraham and Sarah with. Abraham created a mess by lying but God understood his human fears and jealously guarded, protected and blessed him. 

I wonder if we really understand the extent of God's love and protection for His children. God looks beyond our faults and sees our need for grace and mercy. Would you take a moment to thank God that he does not deal with us as our sins deserve; for where sin abounds, grace abounds even more! God's love and protection are inexplicable!

PRAYER:
Father, I thank you for your inexplicable love and protection. Amen

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/24/is-anything-too-hard-for-the-lord Fri, 24 Jul 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/24/is-anything-too-hard-for-the-lord

Then one of them said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son."
Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, "After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?"
Then the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son."  Genesis 18:10-14.

When twenty-five years have gone by and there is no sign of pregnancy to fulfill the divine promise; when the body is worn out and hope is eroded, it is natural to respond with laughter when the promise is reiterated to us. Sarah laughed when she heard the LORD recounting the promise that she and Abraham were going to have a son. She laughed!

But God was serious. It was no laughing matter to Him. He confronted Sarah about it but she trembled with denial. What a scene! Sarah immediately recognized the seriousness of the moment as she heard the words, "Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son."
 
There was a story in the news this week about a woman who gave birth at the age of 59 in New York City. She and her husband had been trying to have a child for over forty years. She had given up after so many years of trying but was encouraged to resume the quest after hearing about the story of a much older woman who gave birth. Really, nothing is too hard for God.

Are you counting yourself out? Do you think your situation is beyond God? Are you worn out by the wait? Could it be you are laughing in disbelief as you read this devotional? Could you possibly be asking if God will still come through for you? Is it for a spouse, a dream, or a vision? Is it for an addicted child, a family member, or a much-needed breakthrough? Is it for a seemingly impossible door that needs to be opened?

Take solace from God's question to Abraham; "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" 
Take courage. Nothing is too hard for God. The God who caused the impossible to become possible for Abraham and Sarah is the same God you and I serve. He is more than able.
Is anything too hard for God? The answer is no. Nothing is too hard for God! Remind God that these are His own words. Stand upon it and remind Him to watch over His word and fulfill it.

PRAYER:
Father, you have reminded me that nothing is too hard for you. My situation is not too hard for you. Please fulfill your word in my life. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/23/generosity-a-spiritual-prompter-to-divine-favor Thu, 23 Jul 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/23/generosity-a-spiritual-prompter-to-divine-favor

The LORD appeared to Abraham . . . while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby.  . . . he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, "If I have found favor in your eyes, my Lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way -- now that you have come to your servant." "Very well," they answered, "do as you say." . . .
Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. 
While they ate, he stood near them under a tree. "Where is your wife Sarah?" they asked him. "There, in the tent," he said. Then one of them said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son." Genesis 18:1-10

One of the things that I find most arresting and fascinating in Scripture is God's response to generosity. It is true: divine favor is purely a gracious act from God; we can never compel God to do anything for us. Nonetheless, the evidence is overwhelming that the heart of God is uniquely touched by genuine generosity. Paul tapped deep into a core prompter to divine favor when he wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:7, "God loves a cheerful giver."
The truth is: when you love someone, there is no telling what you will do to bless the person. Every time God is touched by a generous act, His response is one of immense blessing. 

Generosity taps into the very heart of God and is a prompter to divine favor. Abraham encountered three men near his tent. Two were angels, but one was the LORD himself (v17).
Abraham showed them lavish hospitality and refreshed them in that hot and dusty desert environment. The divine response to Abraham's generosity was: "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son."

Why was God walking in that hot desert environment? Did God really need to stop, eat and rest? Did he really need to walk by Abraham's tent? God is all-powerful. He didn't really need to go through all that. I believe God was simply giving Abraham a spiritual opportunity at the human level to prompt divine favor and expedite his blessings.

God is so generous that He did not spare His only son for our redemption. When we show generosity, we are tapping into the very essence, image, and goodness of God and bringing untold pleasure to His heart. Generosity is a spiritual prompter to divine favor. Live it out!

PRAYER:
Lord, nothing I ever give can compare with your own heart of generosity. Help me never to hold back from blessing your kingdom with a selfless life of generosity. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/22/go-for-the-gold Wed, 22 Jul 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/22/go-for-the-gold

Even today my complaint is bitter; His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning. If only I knew where to find Him; if only I could go to His dwelling! I would state my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.  . . . But if I go to the east, He is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find Him. When He is at work in the north, I do not see Him; when He turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of Him.
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. 
Job 23:2-10

Job went through unimaginable difficulties. He desperately needed the assurance of God's presence with him, but his search seemed to be futile. He could catch no glimpse of God.
But, somehow, Job had an inner conviction that God knew exactly what was going on in his life. He knew that God was testing him and that after the test, he would come forth as gold. Job went for the gold.

Gold is more valuable only after it has been "tested" or refined through the process of purification. The process is very intense. It involves extreme heat that purges every form of impurity from the gold. The result is pure unadulterated gold. Tested gold is precious metal. It is extremely valuable. The uses are endless.

The Bible tells us that: "In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions . . .  If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use.  (2 Timothy 2:20-21 NLT).

To be vessels of gold means we must be willing to submit to the intense purification process. This means, like Job, God might be "nowhere to be seen" when we are engulfed by the intense heat of purification. God will silently purge us with His refiner's fire. The refiner's fire might take all kinds of forms: a hostile work environment; challenges in marriage and family relationships; financial difficulties; prolonged unemployment; health issues; disappointments; attacks from people and betrayals. That is all part of forming a character of gold and strength of steel.
 
The key thing is to focus on the final product: pure and valuable gold set apart to bring honor to God. Go for the gold. The process is intense and painful, but the result is priceless. 

PRAYER:
Lord, I desire to come forth as gold. Please give me the strength to endure the purification process. Help me to focus on the product and not the process. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/21/does-god-seem-to-be-silent Tue, 21 Jul 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/21/does-god-seem-to-be-silent

I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted.  . . .
"Will the Lord reject forever? Will He never show His favor again? Has His unfailing love vanished forever? Has His promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has He in anger withheld His compassion?"
Then I thought, "To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out His right hand. I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.  . . . You are the God who performs miracles . . .  (Psalm 77:1-14)

Does God seem to be silent? Does it seem as though He has rejected you? Is His favor nowhere to be found? Is He ever going to keep His promise?
These were the questions the Psalmist was grappling with, and these are the questions we sometimes struggle with ourselves. Times of prolonged difficulties cause us to wonder if God has forgotten or even rejected us. 

But the Psalmist knows that his current feelings do not reflect the true nature of God. There is a better testimony and track record to which he can appeal about God! So, he remembers: "The years when the Most High stretched out His right hand . . . miracles of long ago."
The Psalmist remembers "the God who performs miracles."

So, does God seem silent? Does it seem as though He has rejected you? Does it seem as if He is nowhere to be found? Just remember His works of old. Remember His mighty deeds. Remember that He is the God who performs miracles. He is not silent. He will work it all out for your good. 

PRAYER:
Lord, I thank you that though my circumstances may sometimes cause me to doubt your faithfulness; your deeds of old testify to your absolute faithfulness. When my soul is downcast, please help me to remember your works of old. Help me to remember that you can work the same miracles in my life today. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/20/when-the-promise-seems-to-be-delayed Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:03:12 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/20/when-the-promise-seems-to-be-delayed

After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your very great reward." But Abram said, "Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir."
Then the word of the LORD came to him: "This man will not be your heir, but 
a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir." He took him outside and said, "Look up at the sky and count the stars -- if indeed you can count them." Then He said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.  . . . On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram and said, "To your descendants I give this land . . ." Genesis 15:1-19

How do you handle it when the fulfillment of God's promises seems to be delayed? God had promised to bless Abram but there seemed to be no sign of materialization on the horizon. There were no children yet and the years were ticking away. In Abram's mind, his servant was going to inherit all he had. He seemed resigned to that gloomy prospect until the word of the LORD came afresh to him.

Abram's handling of the "delayed" promise was typically human. He was very candid with God. He reminded God that He had given him no children to fulfill His promise. God felt Abram's frustration and spoke a fresh word of assurance to him: "a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir." God assured Abram that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky and they would inherit the land. God sealed the promise with a covenant. That fresh word of assurance brought renewed hope to Abram. He believed the LORD and God credited that to him as righteousness.

In the weakness of our humanity, we get frustrated when God's promises seem "delayed" for years and years. So, how do we deal with that? Like Abram, it is okay to have a candid talk with God. It is okay to let Him see and feel your frustration. But our frustration should transition into faith and hope when we hear a fresh word from God. The Bible declares that hope deferred, makes the heart faint but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. God knows our individual levels of endurance. He knows when we need a fresh word to encourage and reassure us.

When the promise seems "delayed," have a candid talk with God and listen afresh to His word. The promise is not dead; it will be fulfilled!

PRAYER:
Father, there are times when the frustration of waiting seems almost insurmountable. But you are a Promise-Keeper and I will ever hope in you. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/19/to-god-alone-be-the-glory Sun, 19 Jul 2026 03:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/19/to-god-alone-be-the-glory

After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh . . .
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High . . . who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. 
The King of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself." 
But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, 'I made Abram rich.'  Genesis 14:17-24

After Lot had separated from Abram, he went to live among the sinful people of Sodom. There was an outside raid and Lot, along with his whole family and possessions, was hauled off. On hearing this Abram, richly blessed and protected by God, went with the 318 trained and armed men in his house to rescue Lot and recover everything that had been taken out Sodom.  Abram had been so blessed that he had assembled a private protective force of 318 men!

Two kings met with Abram after upon his return: one was the King of Sodom and the other was Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of the Most High God. The two encounters are rather telling. Abram received a blessing from Melchizedek with the reminder that it "was God Most High who delivered your enemies into your hand." To Melchizedek, Abram gave a tithe of all the plunder he had. Abram recognized that God was the source of his success.  

The encounter with the king of Salem was different. He wanted to "bless'" Abram by asking him to keep what Abram had won in battle. But Abram rejected that "blessing," saying, "I will accept nothing belonging to you . . . so that you will never be able to say, 'I made Abram rich.' " 
Abram could greedily have accepted the plunder which would have made absolutely no difference to his already rich household but would have given others the opportunity to boast against him and diminished the glory that belongs to God alone. But he did not. Abraham recognized that there was more at stake in that gesture than mere material possessions! The glory of God was at stake!

The closer our walk with God, the greater our sensitivity to His glory. We recognize that we do not want anything or anyone to take the glory for what God enables us to do or possess. The glory belongs to God alone and to no one else. 
May our spiritual sensitivity be such that nothing will tempt us to diminish the glory that belongs to God alone.

PRAYER:
Father, I recognize that you are the sole source of my blessings. Help me not to jeopardize the glory that is rightfully yours by selling my conscience through the greed of taking from others what you have not ordained for me. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/18/god-will-always-watch-out-for-you Sat, 18 Jul 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/18/god-will-always-watch-out-for-you

Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.  . . .
Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. But the land could not support them while they stayed together . . .  And quarreling arose between Abram's herders and Lot's.  . . . So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me . . . for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left." 
Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt.  . . . So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company  . . .
The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him . . .  Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you. So Abram went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron . . .  There he built an altar to the LORD.  Genesis 13:2-18

The call of Abram came with the promise of a blessing. God kept his promise and lavished Abram with great blessings, including livestock, silver, and gold. Abram's nephew, Lot, benefited and became wealthy as well, but quarreling arose between the two men because the land was not big enough to support them. It was time to part company and Abram gave Lot the right to choose first. Lot chose the most fertile land and they parted company.  

I find two things worth pondering over:
First: Abram's handling of the situation was rather humbling and fascinating. He was the senior of the two men but he humbled himself and gave Lot the opportunity to choose first.
Abram did not complain that Lot had chosen the most fertile looking land. He simply accepted what was left and pitched his tents. Abram was walking by faith and not by sight. He knew that God had promised to bless him so the least of his worries was to quarrel over land.

Second: It is interesting that God waited until Lot had departed before releasing the entire land as a blessing to Abram. Sometimes, God will not release our full blessings to us until every form of distraction has been removed from our lives. Obviously, Lot and the quarrel over possessions had become a distraction and God had to deal with that. Sometimes, God removes people from our lives to help us refocus on our destiny and calling.

As you wait on the LORD for the release of His full blessings, carefully examine your surroundings for any possible distractions. Are there any "Lots" or material things that seem to be distracting you? Until you allow God to remove those distractions, your full blessings might be delayed. Ask God to remove them and accept the result by faith. That is the path to possessing your full blessings.

PRAYER:
Father, my greatest desire is to walk in the fullness of your blessings. Please remove every form of distraction from my life so that I can focus on you and my destiny. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/17/god-will-always-watch-out-for-you Fri, 17 Jul 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/17/god-will-always-watch-out-for-you

Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe. As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, "I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'This is his wife.' Then they will kill me but will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you." . . .
the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman. And when Pharaoh's officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. He treated Abram well for her sake . . .
But the LORD inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household because of Abram's wife Sarai. So Pharaoh summoned Abram.  . . . "Why did you say 'She is my sister,' so that I took her to be my wife? . . ."
Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had. Genesis 12:10-20.

Was Abram justified in lying? Did he have to lie knowing that God had his back? There are questions about whether he was even in the will of God when he traveled to Egypt. Did God ask him to go to Egypt or did he set out on his own? These are all questions we grapple with from the passage. It is possible to come up with all kinds of explanations and justifications.

But the truth is: regardless of what our take is on Abraham's behavior, one thing remains unquestionable: God faithfully watched out for Abram and protected him! God knew that Abram's motives were pure but his humanity drove him to lie. God did not write him off. God protected him and inflicted serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household. God fought for him.

There are times when we are driven by fear to do things that are not so worthy. Sometimes we find various ways to justify our actions. We are driven by remorse and we wonder whether God will see us through the mess we have created. Our God is very holy. He does not condone sin.
But our God is also so faithful and so loyal that He will never reject us no matter what. 
God knows the motives behind each of our actions. The Bible says in Jeremiah 17:10(NLT), "I,  the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives.  . . ." 

Never condemn yourself because of an unrighteous act. Talk to God about the situation. Even though there could be consequent messes as we saw with Abraham, God will come to your aid. God will always watch out for you. He will never abandon you!

PRAYER:
Lord, I confess that there are many times when my actions have been unworthy. I ask that you cleanse, forgive, restore, and straighten up my situation. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/16/build-an-altar-to-the-lord Thu, 16 Jul 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/16/build-an-altar-to-the-lord

So Abram went, as the LORD had told him . . . they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.
Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land.  The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.  From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD. Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev. Genesis 12:4-9

God had called Abram out of an idolatrous environment to live amidst extremely idolatrous people. Abram was aware that he was God's instrument through which the whole earth was to be blessed. He could not afford to be distracted by the environment. He had to keep his spiritual focus. Abram did this by continually building altars to God. Altars represent our worship to God. They represent a place of private communion with our heavenly Father. Building the altar was a reminder to Abram that God was his only source of hope. Without continually calling on God, he could not fulfill the call God had placed on his life. Building an altar to God was a priority in his life.

It is interesting that before Elijah prayed for the rains to fall after the drought, he called the people together "and he repaired the altar of the LORD, which had been torn down."

The state of our altar reflects the state of our worship and our relationship to God. It is great to respond to altar calls during services in church. But it is equally crucial, and probably even more so, to ensure that we respond to the private altar calls that the Holy Spirit makes to us privately from time to time. Whenever we sense a distinct presence of the Lord; whenever we receive favor that is unquestionably divine; whenever we know without a shadow of a doubt that God has protected, provided or intervened on our behalf, we must pause and "build an altar" and worship.

The journey of our relationship with God should be filled with many "altar-building moments."     
May your journey be marked with many altars to God. 

PRAYER:
Father, I thank you for the many blessings you have bestowed upon my life. I ask that as I journey with you I will be particularly cognizant of those unique altar-building moments.
Unique moments of worship and renewal. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.  

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/15/obedience-can-be-disruptive Wed, 15 Jul 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/15/obedience-can-be-disruptive

The LORD had said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you.
"I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.  Genesis 12:1-5

Obedience can be rather disruptive. Imagine God speaking to you in the advanced years of your life when you are probably planning your retirement. Imagine Him giving you an assignment that requires you to completely disrupt your settled family life and move out to a totally foreign place to live amidst strangers. But then, this disruptive assignment comes with a promise: God assures you that He will take care of you; He will bless those who bless you; He will curse those who curse you; and through you, the entire earth will be blessed!

How would you respond? Would you hesitate to obey? Or would you uproot your family from familiar comfort and security and follow God's directives? Abraham completely uprooted and disrupted his life in obedience to God. He was radically obedient: "Abrah went, as the LORD had told him . . . He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated . . . and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there."

Has God given you an assignment that seems frightening and disruptive? Take courage and set out on the path of obedience. It might be disruptive but God will stand with you and see you through. Our God is faithful and He will bless you just as He has promised; no matter how disruptive the journey might be!

PRAYER:
Father, I confess that there are times when obeying your word seems rather disruptive to my personal well-laid plans. Please help me to radically heed your voice, knowing that you will see me through. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/14/the-power-of-one Tue, 14 Jul 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/14/the-power-of-one

Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.  . . . Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city . . . so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth."
But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other."
So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city.
Genesis 11:1-8.

This is one of the most powerful illustrations of unity in all of Scripture. It shows the power of being united as one. The entire human race spoke one language, they came together with one purpose: to build a city and make a name for themselves. God was struck by the unstoppable power humans had unleashed for themselves. God knew that united as one, "nothing will be impossible for them." The only way to dismantle that power was for that unity to be broken through confusion. So, God disunited them by confusing and scattering them all over the earth.

I believe God wasn't so much against the unity among humans as He was against the selfish purpose behind that unity. They united for a selfish reason: to make a name for themselves. God was concerned that if the selfishness behind their unity continued, there was no telling what else they would purpose to do! They had to be stopped before greater harm was done.
It is interesting that God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, approached the situation in a united fashion. United, the LORD said, "Come, let us go down and confuse their language . . ."

All through history, humans have united either to accomplish evil or to do good. People have united behind the evil of superiority and waged wars to destroy other humans. By the same token, others have united behind the banner of our common human dignity and fought to liberate suppressed humans. There is incredible power in unity. It can be used to accomplish much evil or much good. Before Jesus left for heaven, He prayed that all His followers would be united as one just as He and the Father were one. 

When we unite for a good cause, we attract divine favor and blessings. That is why Satan does everything he can to create disunity among God's children. He knows the power of One! 
Imagine if families, spouses, business partners, neighbors, children, communities, churches, sports and business teams all decided to operate in unity for laudable purposes. 
The results would be phenomenal! How about stating that from your end today? 

PRAYER:
Lord, I ask that you help me to ponder over the power of unity and desire to be an instrument of unity. Amen.  

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/13/god-s-image-you-are-very-precious-to-god Mon, 13 Jul 2026 04:04:15 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/13/god-s-image-you-are-very-precious-to-god

Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.  . . . Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. "But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it. And for your lifeblood I will surely demand . . . an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being.
"Whoever sheds human blood, by humans their blood will be shed; for in the image of God has God created mankind." Genesis 9:1-7.

Humans are very precious to God. We are so precious to Him that He brings judgment even on animals who tamper with our lives! The reason? Humans are made in the image of God! No human life is valueless! The drug addict; the prostitute, the thief, the rich, the poor, the educated, the illiterate, the smart, the "dumb," the tattered, the designer-clothed, the able-bodied, the disabled, are all equally precious to God because they are all made in God's image. God places an equal premium on every human life.

Reflecting over the image of God in humans should profoundly affect the way we look at ourselves as well as others. We should never discriminate between one person and the other; we should never disrespect other humans; we should never look down upon ourselves. We are made in the very image of God and we are very precious to Him. 

So, when you find yourself in a low valley because things are not going as well as they should, or when others are disrespecting you or writing you off because they think little of you, always remember that you are very precious to God because you were made in His own image.

Hold your head high no matter what you might be going through. God, your maker values you more than you can ever imagine! You are precious to Him because He made you to reflect His very image! Remind yourself of that and ask God for grace to reflect His image in you. He will answer because you are precious to Him! 

PRAYER:
Father, I thank you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made in your image. No matter what my circumstances may be, help me to always remember that I am very precious to you because you fashioned me in your own image. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/12/the-power-of-a-generous-offering Sun, 12 Jul 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/12/the-power-of-a-generous-offering

Then God said to Noah, "Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives.  . . . So Noah came out, together with his sons and his wife and his sons' wives.  
. . . Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it. The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in His heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done.
"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease." Genesis 8:15-22.

Consistently in Scripture, we see how powerfully God's attention is arrested by an act of righteousness. One particular act of righteousness that touches God's heart is a generous offering to God. We see that in the life of Abraham when he offered up his son Isaac in response to God's request.  God promised him, "because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son -- blessing I will bless you, and multiplying, I will multiply . . . your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies." We also see it in the story of the widow who put all the little money she had in the temple offering.  Jesus was so moved that He remarked that she had given more than those who put in lots and lots of money. We see it in the story of how Solomon offered up a thousand burnt offerings to God. God was so moved that He asked Solomon to ask for whatever he wanted from God. God's heart is always moved by generosity!

God was so touched by Noah's burnt offering that He smelled it as a pleasing aroma in His heart and made a promise never again to destroy all living creatures as He had done. He promised that the seasons and seedtime and harvest would never cease! Noah's generosity touched the heart of God and affected the human race for the rest of time.

Do you have an opportunity to give to God? Is God making a sacrificial demand from you regarding your life, time, talents or treasures? Are you struggling to be obedient? Don't delay any longer; obediently release whatever it is. It might lead to generational blessings well beyond your imagination.
In the spirit realm, a generous offering is one of the greatest sources of power, divine favor and blessing. Coupled with obedience, it touches God like nothing else can!

PRAYER:
Father, I thank you for your generosity in blessing us with the gift of your only son Jesus to die for us. Help me to emulate your spirit of generosity so that your kingdom agenda can be advanced through my life. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/11/when-god-shuts-you-in-god-will-remember-you Sat, 11 Jul 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/11/when-god-shuts-you-in-god-will-remember-you

The LORD then said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.  . . . In the six hundredth year of Noah's life . . . all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened.  
. . . On that very day Noah and his sons . . . together with his wife and the wives of his three sons, entered the ark.  . . . Pairs of all creatures that have the breadth of life in them came to Noah and entered the ark.  . . . Then the LORD shut him in.  
Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out . . . Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark. The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days.
But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and He sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded. Genesis 7:1-8:1.

For a hundred and fifty days, the entire earth was flooded and every living creature was wiped out. "But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and He sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded."
God shut Noah into the ark before the flood and God remembered Noah at the height of the flood and caused the floodwaters to recede so that Noah could be safe.  

When God shuts you in, God will remember you and rescue you at the right time. The journey of life is full of uncertainties and many challenges and dangers over which we have no control. There are times when it seems as if we have been shut into an ark, with flood and danger all around us. We could be shut in with a severe illness or disease; we could be shut in with a terrible marital or family situation; we could be shut in with a severe job, business or unemployment situation; we could be shut in with financial difficulties. 

Regardless of what we face, we can be sure of one thing: when God allows you to be shut into a situation, God will remember you at the right time and rescue you. I have a friend who was shut into a situation of unemployment for several months. Every door seemed shut in his face. But suddenly, God started opening doors one after the other. He had to leave a new job for one that had offered him a substantially higher remuneration. 

Don't lose hope when you feel shut in and the floodwaters are rising around you. Ultimately, God will work all things out for your good. If God allows you to be shut in, He will remember you.

PRAYER:
Prayer: Father, I thank you for the example I see in Noah's life. You shut him in and you remembered him. Help me to hold onto the truth of your word that if you shut me in like you did with Noah, you will also remember me. Thank you, Father. Amen.

]]> https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/10/one-person-can-make-all-the-difference Fri, 10 Jul 2026 02:00:00 +0000 https://renewalchristiancenter.org/blog/2026/07/10/one-person-can-make-all-the-difference

Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.  . . . Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. So God said to Noah, "I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them.  . . . So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out.  
. . . I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breadth of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark -- you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you.  . . . Noah did everything just as God commanded him. 
 Genesis 6:9-22

God had made a firm decision to destroy the earth because of corruption and violence but God found one man who was righteous and blameless in his time. That one man, Noah, "walked faithfully with God."
Because of Noah's righteousness, God said to him, "I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark -- you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you." 

I am always struck by the difference one person can make in very dire situations. It is evident in Scripture and even plain in human history that one determined person can make a difference in the destiny of a whole nation or group of people. One man, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, had a dream and galvanized the entire United States to grant civil rights to the suppressed minority race. One man had a vision and left a legacy of $7 million dollars ($11 billion in today's money) to be used to establish Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Today, Hopkins is one of the most renowned medical institutions in the world serving people with medical needs all over the world.

The Bible tells us that if God finds one person who can stand in the gap on behalf of the people, He will not destroy the land. I sincerely believe God is always looking for that one righteous person whom He can use to make a difference in the plight of humanity.

Don't grow weary of living righteously even when you seem to be the odd one out and you face ridicule. You never know what God might choose to use you for. One person can make all the difference. That one person could be you!

PRAYER:
Lord you know the end from the beginning. You know everything that you have ordained my life to be. I ask that you help me stand steadfastly in righteousness so that I can be positioned to be used by you to make a difference as you choose. I ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen.

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