Mark 4.20 observes, the seed planted in the good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace
it, and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams.
What separates the good soil from the three other soils? All of the ground received the word. All of the ground welcomed the seed onto it’s presence. The purpose of the ground is to receive seed, but for what? (more…)
Ephesians 1.23 observes, the church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to
the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.
Oh that we as the Church, the people who claim Jesus as Savior, would embrace this truth: the Church is not peripheral to the world but the world is peripheral to the Church. (more…)
Luke 13.6-7 warns, what’s going on here? For three years now I’ve come to this tree expecting apples
and not one apple have I found. Chop it down! Why waste good ground with it any longer?
God expects His people to bear fruit. It is to His glory He said, that we bear much fruit. Since the beginning of our inception, when He spoke into existence the first man and the first woman, God has commanded that we be fruitful and multiply. (more…)
Psalm 107.2 declares, let those delivered by the LORD speak out, those whom He delivered from the
power of the enemy.
Who is the enemy? The enemy of all humanity? Death.
Only one God promises deliverance from death to ALL who humble themselves and follow Him. Only one God proved His ability to deliver on His promise by Himself rising from the dead after men were convinced of their killing Him on a cross. (more…)
Romans 12.11 commands us to never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Most men over 40 are pretty committed to working hard. We were raised that way. We remember buying our own school clothes, buying our first car and paying for college. Our parents didn’t have a lot and even if they did they required us to work for what we wanted as well.
Overall I would say we are the better for it. (more…)
Romans 2.7 promises, He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory
and honor and immortality that God offers.
Believing isn’t enough.
The regrettable consequence of the Church’s message these past 50 years is a culture mostly uncommitted to the ways and work of God. Since its founding by God, the Church has always had the responsibility to communicate who God is and what God requires of humanity. (more…)
2 Timothy 2.4 observes, soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.
We should see joining the Church more like joining the military. That’s how the Muslims see it. I’m not advocating for Christianity to become more like Islam, our God is nothing like their god.
The Bible does record God expecting, dare I say requiring, His people to be absolutely surrendered to His will and committed to His cause. (more…)
2 Timothy 1.7-8 explains, God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and
self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.
A lot of Christians know the first verse but don’t understand its connected to the second verse. The purpose of the promise is to equip Christians for their mission.
The work of God is the bringing of His Kingdom to earth as it is in heaven. Step one is for every knee to bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Savior and Lord of all. (more…)
Luke 1.15 promises he will be great in the sight of the Lord.
Few men don’t desire to be great. Its inherent to our nature. It comes from our origin: we are made in the image of God.
God is great and ever increasing in glory so too those made in His image aspire to greatness. Since being kicked out of paradise for our rebellion we have perverted the object or goal of our greatness. Most of us want others to see and recognize us as great, the reason our natural desire is perverted. (more…)
Matthew 26.39 records, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, My Father, if it is possible,
may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.
The goal of our prayer should be for the wisdom and strength to do God’s will. True prayer seeks God for the resources to do God’s will because doing His will always exceeds our resources.
God promises to always be with those who do His will because we need Him to complete His will. (more…)
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