And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Matthew 16:19 (NKJV) When someone comes to work at our church, they are given a key. Each key has a different number, and each number opens doors at different levels of security. However, there’s one type of key that opens every door. When you have that key, you can walk up to any door in the building and open it. This reminds me of Matthew 16:19, where it says that Jesus gave us the keys of the kingdom of heaven. As believers, the type of keys we’ve been given don’t just open …

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NIV) Have you ever gone through a difficult time in your life where you kept wondering, What’s wrong with my life? It usually comes down to a simple decision. Have you tried Jesus? You may already be a Christian, but sometimes we Christians get so caught up in our problems that we forget we hold the solution. Now, I’m not minimizing what you’re going through in any way. And I’m not saying that Jesus is going to “poof” all your problems away. But what would happen if you started to pray and read the Word …

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. Titus 2:11–12 (NIV) My father’s pastor was an unbelievable guy. Whenever I did devotions with him, I noticed something that inspired me. I could see the passion that burned in his eyes for the presence and Word of God. Do you feel that kind of passion and desire for God’s Word? If not, don’t worry. Very few people feel this way at first, especially when they’re new to doing devotions. The good news is this passion is something that builds over time. The more time you spend in His …

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:12–13 (NKJV) When you gave your life to Christ, He instantly became your Saviour. But you make Jesus your Lord one decision at a time. The good news is you have the mind of Christ and are empowered by His Spirit to choose God’s ways every time. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus faced this battle. But just as He had done countless times before, He won that battle over who would have Lordship when He said, “Not as I will, but as …

But thank God, though you were once slaves of sin, you have become obedient with all your heart to the standard of teaching in which you were instructed and to which you were committed. And having been set free from sin, you have become the servants of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in thought, purpose, and action). Romans 6:17–18 (AMPC) God wants what’s best for us. The problem is we don’t always know what that is. All too often, we do what’s easy or what leads to instant gratification. We’re self-focused and do things with only our own interests in mind, believing that whatever we think is good must be good with God too. O en He has something better! God is the …