Two of the words that have been translated “salvation” or “saved” in the New Testament writings are “sozo” and “soteria.” Both are translated in a variety of ways, including “health,” “salvation,” “deliver,” and “save.” It is important as we think about the salvation offered by the Lord, that though He did come to save or deliver us from sin, He […]
In his book “Leaders Eat Last,”* Simon Sinek told a story about a former undersecretary of defense who came to a revelation about the differences between personhood and position. The man was invited to speak at a large conference. He was met at the airport, escorted to his hotel room where he had already been checked in, and picked up […]
Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. Bless those […]
Look back and see How the kingdom you came from Surrendered to your God. Look back and see How the blood of the lamb saved you From the grip of death. Look back and see How the water that saved you Destroyed your enemies. But don’t look back very long, Or you’ll return to being a slave! Don’t look back […]
I just read a pile of creeds. The list included the Apostles’, the Nicene, the Niceno-Constantinopolitan, the Athanasian, the Westminster Confession, the United Methodist, and the creed of Eusebius. The only mention of the Kingdom of Heaven was in one, and it’s statement was to say that the Kingdom is eternal. The Kingdom is pretty close to the only thing […]
Mountains are exposed to all the harshness nature can offer. Wind, sun, rain, snow, ice, earthquakes, meteorites, and lightning batter them before moving on to the lower targets. The valleys between the mountains benefit from the damage sustained by the mountains, which are sometimes simply laid bare and broken. When we are called to leadership, we are thrust out into […]
He presented another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It’s the smallest of all the seeds, but when grown, it’s taller than the vegetables and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the sky come and nest in its branches.” (Matthew 13:31-32 Holman Christian […]
“Now My soul is troubled. What should I say—Father, save Me from this hour? But that is why I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name!” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again!” The crowd standing there heard it and said it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken […]
Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and by it, defiling many. (Hebrews 12:14-15 Holman Christian Standard Bible ®©) Holiness is being set apart to someone or something. If I am […]
Jeff Christopherson, in his book, “The Kingdom Matrix” lists these four marks of a Kingdomcentric congregation: New Believers New Disciplemakers New Communities of Faith Transforming Communities Knowing both the differences between and the relationship between the church and the Kingdom changes the way we think and do and interact and can give us greater understanding of our identities and our […]