How do we decide how to deal with adversaries? In the facebook culture, the two options seem to be public accusation of evil identity and deeds, and unfriending them. What about the culture which should be ours? The culture of the church is frequently not discernible from facebook or the dog fights Jerry Springer enjoyed displaying on TV. The culture […]
When we gather with others, how do we decide whose voice is heard first? It usually doesn’t matter whether we have good news or bad, we want to be the first to share when we meet with someone. One of our guiding principles, though, is that the person who loses her/his life for the sake of the Kingdom, finds his/her […]
Self-pity is a thief. It steals emotional energy. It steals purposeful work. It steals opportunities to manifest the Lord of the Cross in the earth. It steals revelation by distracting us from both asking for and being able to hear answers from the Lord of Wisdom. It cannot be converted to better behavior. Like the rationale from the wild west […]
Learn to worship when you are doing whatever you do that looks like what David was doing when he was out in the fields watching sheep do whatever they were doing. Talk to Jesus about how awesome He is, and what you like about Him. Tell Him some ways you want to be just like Him. Praise Him to the […]
When the servant of a pagan king was called to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, he faced much accusation and attack from jealous enemies of Yahweh. The stereotypical adversaries Sanballat and Tobiah constantly worked to discourage Nehemiah and the Israeli builders who helped him in the wall project. Their false accusations, physical attacks, and traps were wasted on Nehemiah. He […]
One concept Yahweh taught Israel when He made them His nation was that unclean things touching clean things make the clean become unclean. When Jesus touched something unclean, He made it clean. He cleansed leprous people. He cleansed whores and traitors and religious and sick people of their sins and their demons. There is a teaching among Pentecostals and Charismatics […]
To whom was Jesus talking when He said, “The Kingdom of Heaven is within you.”? (Luke 17) (Some translations render the statement, “among you.”) Clearly, then, the Kingdom and the Church are not the same thing.
Please remind yourself what your reasons are for believing Jesus. Not just believing in Him, but as Paul wrote, “I know Whom I have believed…”, why you believe Him. Do it in several ways: What was the first convincing idea or experience or instruction that caused you to trust Him? What is the most pivotal encounter with Him you have […]
Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints. And coarse and foolish talking or crude joking […]
God is our refuge and strength,a helper who is always foundin times of trouble. Therefore we will not be afraid,though the earth tremblesand the mountains toppleinto the depths of the seas,though its waters roar and foamand the mountains quake with its turmoil. (Psalm 46:1-3 Holman Christian Standard Bible ©®)