John 17.17 asks, set them apart in the truth; your word is truth.
The Christian is not to live, look, speak, or work like others who do not know the One true God. Christians are to live as Jesus did for they too are children of God. (more…)
1 Peter 4.2 observes, he spends the rest of his time on earth concerned about the will of God and not
human desires.
The focus of the Christian is to be the same focus as Jesus Christ the Lord. That focus is upon doing the will of God regardless of result or cost.
As humans we begin our lives self-focused. Everything is about us from infancy. The child portrays this truth early and often. We never evolve from this focus if we do not lose our lives by giving them over to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. This is why He observes that, unless we lose our lives for Him and His mission, we cannot keep them for eternal life. (more…)
Hebrews 10.36 reminds, you need endurance in order to do God’s will and so receive what is promised.
Why do we need endurance to do God’s will? Does anyone feel the need for endurance? Most people trying to do God’s will want more resources; money, people, time, strength but rarely endurance.
Endurance has the idea of persevering through difficulty. In a world of, with God all things are possible, what do we need endurance for anyway? (more…)
1 Thessalonians 2.4 observes, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, 
so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts.
The demise of Christian influence in western culture can be attributed in large part to the failure of Christians to consistently and Biblically, present God’s point of view of man, history and Himself. This failure has been facilitated by a desire to not offend people but rather to build bridges with people until people are willing to listen to our message. (more…)
Ezekiel 22.30 records, I looked for a man from among them who would repair the wall and stand in the
gap before Me on behalf of the land, so that I would not destroy it, but I found no one.
God is watching us. God is watching us to see who is working for Him and with Him to see His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In the case of Israel, God looked for a man who was praying for mercy on behalf of the people and warning the people about the consequences of their disobedience in order to move increasingly more people toward obedience to God.
This work, God said, would have delayed or even thwarted His plan for punishing Jerusalem but alas, no one was found to be working on this project resulting in Jerusalem’s destruction. (more…)
Numbers 24.13 records the prophet saying, If Balak would give me his palace full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the
commandment of the LORD to do either good or evil of my own will, but whatever the LORD tells me I must speak’?
While the prophet in this story turns bad his attitude at this point in the story is one current Christians desperately need. Culture is a reflection of the attitudes and desires of the people. Culture reflects the thinking, the doing and the wanting of the people within its boundaries. What kind of people is our current culture reflecting? (more…)
Philippians 1.29 reminds us that, it has been granted to you not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for Him.
Fox News recently reported that Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world, again (HERE).
When we think of suffering however we think only in terms described in this article. In North America, under this definition, we don’t suffer because we are not persecuted. Not wanting to be left out of the suffering conversation, we in North America broaden suffering to include our difficulties: divorce, bankruptcy, cancer etc. (more…)
1 Corinthians 7.35 encourages, without distraction you may give notable and constant service to the Lord.
This expectation seems opposed to Jesus’ commendation of Mary who sat with Jesus instead of Martha who was busy making lunch for Jesus. Jesus’ caveat was that He would not always be with us in the flesh so Mary had indeed chosen the better activity.
From the beginning however God has been at work. So too the Son came to work by seeking and saving the lost. (more…)
Psalm 107.2 asks, has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others He has redeemed you
from your enemies.
The need of the hour is for the Church to speak out about God’s redemption. The obviousness of this truth was on full display during the presidential debates. Character, truth, honesty and humility are the result of fearing God and recognizing our accountability to Him. Those who live without regard for their Maker do and say whatever they believe to be best in their own minds. (more…)
Ezekiel 16.49 describes, Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy 
suffered outside her door.
For those who read the Bible regularly and know the story of Sodom, the description of that city’s sins is probably shocking. (more…)
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