"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9Paul had a thorn in the flesh - some weakness or limitation that he desperately wanted God to remove. Three times he pleaded for healing, and three times God said no. But God's...  Read More

"And he said to them, 'Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.'" - Luke 22:46Even the disciples experienced spiritual dryness. In Jesus' hour of greatest need, when He was pouring out His heart to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane, His closest friends could not stay awake to pray with Him. Their spirits were willing, but their flesh was weak.We all go throu...  Read More

"When they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name." - Acts 5:40–41The same disciples who had been hiding behind locked doors were now boldly preaching in the temple courts. When the authorities arrested them, be...  Read More

"When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?' He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Feed my lambs.'" - John 21:15Peter had to be carrying a tremendous load of guilt and shame. Just days before the crucifixion, he had boldly declared that even if everyone else abandoned Jesus, he never would. But...  Read More

"That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened." - Luke 24:13–14The two disciples walking to Emmaus were the picture of disappointment. They had hoped Jesus was the one who would redeem Israel, but instead, He had been crucified. Their dreams had died with Him on the c...  Read More

"On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you.'" - John 20:19Fear had the disciples locked up tight. They were hiding behind barricaded doors, paralyzed by the possibility of persecution. The same men who had walked on water and cast out demons were n...  Read More