"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future" (Jer. 29:11 NIV). In other translations the Lord assures us in a variety of ways that He has good things in store for us:...

"A still small voice" (1 Kings 19:12 NKJ). The Hebrew word translated still here comes from the root word damam (daw-mam') which is an imitation of the sound made with the mouth shut, such as dmmmm or hmmmm. It applies to the sound made by one who is lost in wonder...

"The yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing" (Isa. 10:27). The yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing. The thought expressed is that the Holy Spirit's empowering of our lives turns the dull, drab routine existence into an invigorating, exciting,...

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force" (Matt. 11:12 NKJ). This verse is an encouragement to intercessors. The word violent speaks volumes to us. A violent person is defined as "one...

"Thy visitation has preserved my spirit" (Job 10:12). There are several reasons for the Lord's visitation: 1) The Lord visits us as a doctor makes a house call. The doctor does not come to see us for social purposes. His coming is not for afternoon tea with...

"For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God..." (2 Cor. 1:20 NKJ). The test of validity of a promise is its performance. In Luke 1:45 we are told in essence: "...There will be a fulfillment of those things promised you by the...

"Praise is awaiting You, O God, in Zion..." (Ps. 65:1 NKJ). The original Hebrew version of this verse reads: "Praise is silent before You, O God, in Zion...." This "silent praise" (as one writer has defined it) is not a resignation or a submission. It is a silence...

"If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven" (Matt. 18:19 NKJ). In giving us this promise of answered prayer, Jesus used a musical term. In the original Greek the word translated agree is...

"Now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places" (Eph. 3:10 NKJ). This word manifold is very interesting. It is the word used in the Septuagint to describe Joseph's coat of many colors....

"The Joy of the Lord is your strength" (Neh. 8:10 NKJ). This word translated strength has a military connotation. The original Hebrew word is ma'owz (maw-cze') and indicates a fortified place, a citadel, a place of defense or a stronghold. Thus, the joy of the Lord...

"I will work and who can hinder or reverse it?" (Isa. 43:13 AMP). For the Christian, deliverances and answers to prayer are always a result of divine intervention. Waiting for the answer to come, however, can cause spiritual tension. Especially when the answer is...

"For we are His workmanship..." (Eph. 2:10 NKJ). The original Greek word translated workmanship in this verse is poiema (poy'-ay-mah), from which we derive our English word poem. Thus, in a sense, this verse tells us that we Christians are God's "poetry." As...