The Daily Memo

Christians are meant to know joy and peace, and that isn’t possible unless we know how to pray and have confidence in its power. God actually needs our prayers because there is a great deal He desires to do and cannot do unless someone asks Him to do it. It seems impossible that God would need us for anything, but since He works through us, He does need us. Obviously, God can do anything He chooses to without anyone’s help, but He has committed Himself to…

Fingerprints have long been used to identify people, but they can be faked by creating copies. Similarly, the pattern of the iris in the human eye is a reliable source for ID—until someone alters the pattern with a contact lens to skew the results. The use of biometrics to identify individuals can be defeated. So, what qualifies as a unique identifying characteristic? It turns out that everyone’s blood-vessel patterns are unique and virtually impossible to.…

One of the most difficult truths of Christianity is that there’s but one way to heaven: Jesus Christ. People would rather believe that all paths lead to God—and that no religion can exclude someone. But in John 14:6, Jesus claimed to be “the way” and explicitly said, “No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  That raises an important question: How do we come to God through Jesus? It’s not by means of religious rituals,…

The Bible says that Satan is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44 AMP). In fact, we give Satan more power over us when we choose to believe his lies. To believe a lie is to be deceived. But here’s the thing—when people are deceived, they are not aware that they are deceived. They believe that what they think is true and they act accordingly. One of the most difficult tasks I have encountered in ministry is to try to convince someone who is deeply deceived…

As a result of the coronavirus epidemic, our world has been shaken. All our assumptions are shattered. Almost everyone, each in our own way, have been dealing with fear, grief and trauma. However difficult your situation may be – however much ‘trouble’ you are facing in your life, you can have hope. Hope is the confident expectation of God’s ultimate blessing in this life and the life to come, based upon the goodness and promises of God. With Jesus,…

You will be tested. Like Jesus’ desert trial, the enemy comes, probing the perimeter. He knows your story, knows where the weak spots are. But this is our training. This is the spiritual equivalent of, “Take a high guard, like this. Strike from high. Like this. Do it. Blade straighter. Leg back. Bend your knees. Sword straighter. Defend yourself.” This is how we develop a resolute heart. We make no agreements with whatever the temptation or accusation is.…

Michelangelo Buonarroti, the 15th-century Italian artist known for masterworks like David and the Pietà, once said this about his art: “The sculpture is already complete within the marble block before I start my work. It is already there. I just have to chisel away the superfluous material.” Though not made of granite or marble, we are also creations of a Master Craftsman. Ephesians 2:10 says, “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for…

In 1478, Lorenzo de Medici, the ruler of Florence, Italy, escaped an attack on his life. His countrymen sparked a war when they tried to retaliate against the attack on their leader. As the situation worsened, the cruel King Ferrante I of Naples became Lorenzo’s enemy, but a courageous act by Lorenzo changed everything. He visited the king unarmed and alone. This bravery, paired with his charm and brilliance, won Ferrante’s admiration and ended the war. Daniel…

Contentment is a quality seen in very few people today. Our society is always offering new items, gadgets, upgrades, and conveniences that promise pleasure, comfort, and satisfaction. But no material goods ever live up to that promise long-term. Yet many people keep falling for lies instead of being content with what they have. The book of Hebrews was written to people who were experiencing discouragement and persecution for their faith in Christ. Those believers faced many,…