We want people around who always agree with us. We need people around who are balanced in their strengths: both strong and weak, both militant and healing, both wise and foolish, both speed and patience, both volume and quietness. We need someone near who is not stuck in one or the other of any of those categories, and therefore can be led of the Spirit in whichever way He blows […]
Author Archive: Douglas Thomas
First, Peace
Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 Holman Christian Standard Bible ®©) You are not likely to receive much information or wisdom or instruction from the Spirit of Jesus if you are not allowing Him […]
Well Governed
If you are in charge of your life, then your power, your protection, your provision and your liberties are very limited. If you are a subject of the Kingdom of God, then your power, your protection, your provision and your liberties are quite unlimited. Authority is related to power and strength. It can only influence things around it to the degree that it is real. The Kingdom of Heaven is […]
Building
…we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. (1 Corinthians 8:1 English Standard Version ®©) A house is built by wisdom, and it is established by understanding; by knowledge the rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure. (Proverbs 24:3-4 Holman Christian Standard Bible ®©) Knowledge puffs up, but Love builds up. If Wisdom builds, Knowledge fills.
Observing or Changing
If you set the thermostat in your home to heat the place up to 72 degrees, you expect the thermometer in the thermostat to notice when it is colder than 72 and turn on the heat. The Spirit of Holiness isn’t showing you the sins of corrupt government and lazy coworkers and terrible drivers just so you can declare that their temperature is wrong – it is so you will […]
Disillusioned
We shouldn’t be disillusioned after we try something. We should take care of that ahead of time. The likelihood of anything good coming into the earth through us is minuscule. Our relationship and proximity to the Holy Spirit are what break through the illusion that we are really doing anything when He makes us awesome. When He meets someone’s need through our service it can create the illusion that we […]
Word From the Start
He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it. (John 1:2-5 Holman Christian Standard Bible ®©) Life that is in Him is Light to us. The law points […]
Next
Solomon was capable of building Yahweh’s first earthly temple because his father laid out the plan and procured the material. Elisha was capable of doing twice as many mighty works as Elijah because Elijah took him in as a son and poured his life into him. Joshua was able to lead the Israelis into the land of promise because Moses allowed him proximity to his leadership and to Yahweh’s presence. […]
Saints at War
I wonder on days when the people of Jesus will perceive the war they are unwillingly engaged in. I expect that the coming increases in its intensity will provoke them to stand and defend those who want truth from those who try to twist or replace it. Being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they came down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. Arriving in Salamis, they […]
Fear of Problems
Do not dread trouble; dread uselessness. A piece of flint only has the power to create a spark when it is struck by a piece of iron or another rock. An irritating piece of grit can become a beautiful pearl if it isn’t ejected.