Living as Wise as the Thief

Luke 16.8-9 observes, here’s a surprise: The master praised the crooked manager! And why? Because he knew how to look after himself. Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens. They are on constant alert, looking for angles, surviving by their wits. I want you to be smart in the same way—but for what is right —using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials, so you’ll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on good behavior.

This passage has made Christians wonder for centuries. God praises a thief, a liar, an embezzler. What? (more…)

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The Best Way to Love God and Love Our Neighbor

Luke 12.8-9 commands, stand up for Me among the people you meet and the Son of Man will stand up for you before all God’s angels. But if you pretend you don’t know Me, do you think I’ll defend you before God’s angels?

One of the evidences for the truth of Scripture, that the Lord alone is God and that Jesus is the God-Man, the only Savior of the world, is the difficulty we have in identifying with Him before men. (more…)

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The Red Pill Is Not The Answer

Judges 13.25 observes, The LORD’s spirit began to control him in Mahaneh Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

We all want the red pill, to know and have the power of the spiritual world in order to better engage this world; from the movie the Matrix.

We who know the frustration and defeat of trying to always please God but falling short, so long for the Holy Spirit to strongly come upon us so that we always do what God desires. The Scriptures record at least three men who were overtaken by the Spirit of God: Sampson in this verse, David who was a friend of God and Solomon who had wisdom greater than all men who have ever lived. (more…)

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God Lives On The Streets

Hebrews 13.16 observes, God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of “sacrifice”—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.

Following Jesus means living where He is, following Him to where He goes, and being with Him where He is active. God is not occupied with or limited to temples, though He may visit on occasion, rather He is a friend of sinners. (more…)

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Believing in God Means Obeying God

Hebrews 5.10 describes, Jesus as high priest in the order of Melchizedek, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who believingly obey Him.

Believingly obey Him. A great summary of the Christian life. We are to first believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord, the only source of eternal salvation. (more…)

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We Were Made To Live Passionately

1 Timothy 6.11-12 commands, you, Timothy, man of God: Run for your life from all this. Pursue a righteous life—a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses.

The successful businessman, the Olympic athlete, the small child on Christmas morning, all know the meaning of run hard and fast toward the goal, to seize the day and to fervently embrace the desire of their affection. This picture is to be the normal Christian life. (more…)

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The Purpose For Our Life Has Already Been Given

1 Timothy 2.4-7declares, He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we’ve learned: that there’s one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us—Jesus, who offered Himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free. Eventually the news is going to get out. This and this only has been my appointed work: getting this news to those who have never heard of God, and explaining how it works by simple faith and plain truth.

The will of God is for all people everywhere to know Him and to grow into His image becoming just like His first born Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The means God has ordained for accomplishing His will is through His people, the Church, obedient to His command to go and make disciples. Every person in Christ, is to be a part of bringing every person separated from Christ, to Christ, for reconciliation. (more…)

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God Believes In YOU

Galatians 6.4-5 commands, make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.

God knows He is awesome, that He can do all things and that He is limitless in His ability or creativity. God knows too that He created us in His image so believes deeply that virtually nothing is impossible for us to accomplish. (more…)

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The Purpose of Food

John 4.34-35 observes, Jesus said, The food that keeps Me going is that I do the will of the One who sent Me, finishing the work He started. As you look around right now, wouldn’t you say that in about four months it will be time to harvest? Well, I’m telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what’s right in front of you. These Samaritan fields are ripe. It’s harvest time!

Food is fuel, fuel necessary for accomplishing the goals we have for our life. Not enough food and food is all we think about. Too much food and we are unhappy physically becoming lethargic until the fullness goes away. Too little food and we will eat anything. Too much food and we become picky. Too little food and we become scrawny and weak. Too much food and we become fat and weak. (more…)

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