2 Timothy 2.19 records, God’s solid foundation stands firm, bearing this
inscription: The Lord knows those who are his, and let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.
The word repent means to turn the other way, to turn around and go the other direction. It is the first word used in God’s opening message to humanity.
2 Timothy 1.7-8 records, God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power,
love, and sound judgment. So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me His prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God.
We often fear men more than God. We were created to please God but we often find ourselves more concerned with pleasing men. (more…)
Matthew 4.4 answers, it is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every
word that comes from the mouth of God.
The Scripture, God’s Word, does not say, man should not, but rather, man must not, live on bread alone. Jesus, God Himself, had not eaten for forty days. It would do no good for the Savior to die of starvation rather than crucifixion. (more…)
1 Samuel 3.21 observes, the Lord continued to appear in Shiloh, because there He revealed Himself to Samuel by His word.
Most of Christendom struggles in their intimacy with God through Jesus Christ. Most Christians believe in Him but too many do not really know Him. When we share Him as Savior, we seek converts, those who will agree with our doctrine and affirm such with their prayer. However, we are very poor at making disciples. The secret to knowing God, and experiencing God, (more…)
Jeremiah 7.23 describes, however, I did give them this command: Obey Me, and then I will be your God, and you will be My people. Follow every way I command you so that it may go well with you.
For the most part we prefer religion over obedience. Religion is easier. Religion keeps us in charge of determining if we are pleasing to God or not. Religion requires the least amount of effort and sacrifice. Religion gives power to a small group of people. Religion keeps things at the surface level rather than at the motive level. The One True God is not interested in our religion per se. (more…)
Matthew 12.33 commands make the tree good and its fruit will be good, or make the tree bad and its fruit will be bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.
The key verb here is ‘make.’ The work of the church, the work of the parent, the work of the community, is to ‘make’ good people so that good exists in our society. Who defines good determines what is produced. This is the battle we see in our country today. (more…)
John 4.22 proclaims, you Samaritans worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews.
One of the most offensive things a person can say today is that there is only one true religion, one true way to heaven, one true God. People become offended by this because they feel it is offensive to other people. However, these same people do not seem to think that believing and advocating for many ways to heaven and many gods to get there might be offensive to the One True God. Why do we think the One True God is copacetic with people creating whatever path they choose to get to Him? (more…)
Numbers 15.38-39 commands Moses, speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout their generations they are to make tassels for
the corners of their garments, and put a blue cord on the tassel at each corner. These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the Lord’s commands and obey them and not prostitute yourselves by following your own heart and your own eyes.
A few years ago the w.w.j.d. bracelets were popular, created to serve as reminders to us for asking what would Jesus do in any given situation. Of course the answer to what would Jesus do was to be found in the Scriptures and not to be determined by our own feelings. I’m not sure this part of the message ever got delivered to the adherents of the bands. (more…)
Hebrews 5.13 observes, everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant.
Who lives on milk? A baby. How does a baby live on milk? They must be picked up and brought to the breast or otherwise held and have a bottle deposited into their mouth. There are too many in the Church who live on milk. (more…)
2 Timothy 2.4-6 describes, no one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he
seeks to please the commanding officer. Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops.
These three descriptions of the Christian life reflect three different but necessary attributes for living the Christian life in a way that honors God and makes clear to men and demons that we are truly committed to Him and His ways. (more…)
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