God Wants Us Smart About Him

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. MSG

 

What does it mean to be kingdom street smart? For this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. A clue is found in this passage, we are to be focused on the things above and not be sucked into the things of this world. Like the man on the streets who is wary of the pimp, the drug dealer, the gang leader who might grab him for his own evil purposes, so too the man of God must be wary of the allurement of power, pleasure, and possessions from taking him off God’s purposes.

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Courageous Christianity Needed In These Times

Luke 12.5,8-9 records, Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in His hands……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? MSG

 

We are in desperate need of people who will live the way God warns us to live in this passage. As the culture increases its antagonism toward Biblical Christianity, that is the recorded will of God in the Scriptures, Christians will have to choose between fearing God and fearing society. What does that choice look like practically?

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Evidence of Being Right With God

Romans 1.16-17 records, it’s news I’m most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts Him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! God’s way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: The person in right standing before God by trusting Him really lives. MSG

Are we right with God? If so, then acts of faith show up through our lives. What are acts of faith? (more…)

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A Simple Description For Christian Living

1 Corinthians 16.13-14 commands, be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.

 

A quick summary of how those who claim to be Christians are to live the Christian life in this pagan world that opposes God and the truth of His Word. We are to watch ourselves, guard our conduct, character and thinking, lest we become sucked into the ways of the world. Our flesh is weak though our spirit is willing to obey. The ideas of satan to disobey God are subtle and appealing to our feelings but they move us out of alignment with God’s will, and when followed, lead us to a place completely at odds with His Word. The best defense is a good offense. (more…)

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Christians Need To Get Off The Couch And Into The Fray

1 Corinthians 9.25,27 observes, everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever….No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Too many Christian men fail to see themselves running a race. They do not see themselves in a cosmic battle for the souls of men of whom they are the Lord’s army to be fighting for the freedom, capture and security from sin and death those currently under the dominion of ignorance to Jesus as Savior. (more…)

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God Is Recruiting Adventurers

Hosea 11.12 describes, Ephraim surrounds me with lies, the house of Israel, with deceit. Judah still wanders with God and is faithful to the holy ones.

We hear often that we humans don’t like change. Our prayers reflect this disdain, often asking God for protection and safety instead of faith and courage. (more…)

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