Look at how great a love the Father has given us, that we should be called God’s children. And we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know Him. Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when He appears, we will […]
“The kingdom of God is like this,” He said. “A man scatters seed on the ground; he sleeps and rises—night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows—he doesn’t know how. The soil produces a crop by itself—first the blade, then the head, and then the ripe grain on the head. But as soon as the crop is ready, he […]
Always a sinner, or dead and resurrected? Always an alcoholic, or healed and delivered?Romans 8:2 – the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Religion would have me believe that it is proper humility to call myself a sinner, saved by grace. Twelve Steps programs would have […]
Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, “Oh no, Lord! This will never happen to You!” But He turned and told Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns, but man’s.” (Matthew 16:22-23 Holman Christian Standard Bible ®©) How can we tell the difference between God’s interests, […]
On days we are learning great new things that we can do to serve Jesus; we are studying Spanish one day: when we get to the translation of “ice cream,” we decide to take a break and get some ice cream. Our habits become the style that looks for the next break rather than the next breakthrough. We need to […]
But He looked at them and said, “Then what is the meaning of this Scripture: The stone that the builders rejected— this has become the cornerstone? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and if it falls on anyone, it will grind him to powder!” (Luke 20:17-18 Holman Christian Standard Bible ®©) What brokenness does He […]
In the parable of the two sons, the son who stayed home, thinking that he was playing the game properly and by the rules, was as silly as the one who left home and wasted his portion of the estate in lavish and insanely generous (“prodigal”) lifestyle. The homebound brother complained when his father killed the best animal on the […]
If you read Scriptures with no goal but to find things there that agree with you, or that remind you of what you believe, you weaken yourself. If you read Scriptures to find more of Christ, they will frequently unveil a further, or deeper, or clearer Word, which may make you change your mind about something. Repentance is changing your […]
Dear friends, when the fiery ordeal arises among you to test you, don’t be surprised by it, as if something unusual were happening to you. Instead, as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah rejoice, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory. (1 Peter 4:12-13 Holman Christian Standard Bible ®©) As […]
I will show you what someone is like who comes to Me, hears My words, and acts on them: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the river crashed against that house and couldn’t shake it, because it was well built. (Luke 6:47-49 Holman Christian […]