Galatians 4.19 comments, Do you know how I feel right now, and will feel until Christ’s life becomes
visible in your lives?
The key phrase here is ‘until Christ’s life becomes visible in your lives.’ This is the goal of God in the development of our character. We are to bear the fruit of the Spirit, doing the work of Jesus, in the way of Jesus, for the glory of God and the welfare of humanity. What does this look like? (more…)
2 Corinthians 2.9-11, reminds us, the focus of my letter wasn’t on punishing the offender but on
getting you to take responsibility for the health of the church. So if you forgive him, I forgive him. Don’t think I’m carrying around a list of personal grudges. The fact is that I’m joining in with your forgiveness, as Christ is with us, guiding us. After all, we don’t want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief—we’re not oblivious to his sly ways!
The health of the church is the responsibility of each of the members. The key to church health is each member seeing themselves as having an ownership interest. How does a church remain, become and develop it’s health? By living according to God’s Word. (more…)
Ezekiel 9.3-4 describes, the Glory of the God of Israel ascended from His usual place above the
cherubim-angels, moved to the threshold of the Temple, and called to the man with the writing case who was dressed in linen: Go through the streets of Jerusalem and put a mark on the forehead of everyone who is in anguish over the outrageous obscenities being done in the city.
How many people would be marked by God today who grieve over the dishonor so prevalent against God in our society? So many grumble about the lawlessness. So many shake their heads at the violence but who is in anguish over the godlessness we see in the news daily? (more…)
1 Corinthians 3.1-3 observes, I’m completely frustrated by your unspiritual dealings with each other and
with God. You’re acting like infants in relation to Christ, capable of nothing much more than nursing at the breast. Well, then, I’ll nurse you since you don’t seem capable of anything more. As long as you grab for what makes you feel good or makes you look important, are you really much different than a babe at the breast, content only when everything’s going your way?
Selfishness and self-centeredness are the signs of immaturity in the Christian life. Immaturity runs rampant in the Church. We are hard pressed not to find an overabundance of selfishness and self-centeredness among those who claim Jesus as Savior. (more…)
Luke 10.3 warns, On your way! But be careful—this is hazardous work. You’re like lambs in a wolf pack.
I find it ironic our God would say, be careful. Our prayers are offered in hopes that we wouldn’t need to be careful, that He would be watching over us to protect us so that nothing bad happens to us. Isn’t that the point of our prayers? Especially, when the prayer and the work is centered around doing His will! (more…)
Matthew 21.43 observes, This is the way it is with you. God’s kingdom will be taken back from you and
handed over to a people who will live out a kingdom life.
The kingdom life is given to kingdom livers. We do not possess what we do not possess. We do not keep by promise what we do not live by faith. The Father expects His children to live as sons and daughters of God. So what does it mean to live a kingdom life? (more…)
Joshua 5.14 observes, Joshua fell, face to the ground, and worshiped. He asked, What orders does my
Master have for His servant?
When we encounter God our response to Him is simple, what would you have me to do? It’s not complicated really. He is God, our Creator, our Sustainer, the One Who brought us into His world and allows us to live upon it. If we chaff at this idea of responding to God humbly and obediently it is because we are poor in at least two areas. (more…)
Joshua 4.23-24 observes, Yes, GOD, your God, dried up the Jordan’s waters for you until you had
crossed, just as GOD, your God, did at the Red Sea, which had dried up before us until we had crossed. This was so that everybody on earth would recognize how strong GOD ’s rescuing hand is and so that you would hold GOD in solemn reverence always.
Holding God in solemn reverence always. What exactly does that mean? It certainly means honoring Him. How do we honor God? (more…)
Revelation 14.12 comments, meanwhile, the saints stand passionately patient, keeping God’s
commands, staying faithful to Jesus.
During hard times what should God’s people do? The same thing they have always done, for hard times have been part of the Church’s existence since its Founder was scorned, mocked and crucified. The Church is to always be working at winning men to God’s point of view through Jesus the Savior. (more…)
James 3.17 describes Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting
along with others.
We believe wisdom means knowing things; God equates wisdom with doing His things. We seek wisdom so that we might make the right decisions; God gives wisdom so that we might do the right things. We want wisdom so that we don’t lose time, money or possessions on earth; God gives wisdom so that we will not lose eternal life with Him. We look for wisdom from successful people; God gives wisdom in the Scriptures. (more…)
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