Jesus instructed His disciples one day to seek His Kingdom and His righteousness before seeking provision and supplies, so that they would receive provision and supplies. They were directed toward His authority and His nature as a means of accessing His blessings. He told them that His commandments to love God with all they had and all they were, and […]
The practice of creating a code of laws that must be followed to avoid hell and God’s displeasure is a religion called Legalism. The practice of casting off all restraint and refusing to submit to any form or regulation over your behavior is a religion called Lawlessness. The practice of being led by the Spirit of Jesus, and by doing […]
As Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees (John 5:37-40), the Book as they knew it was revelation of a Ruler. They had reduced it to a book of rules. Paul did not recommend using the Old Testament as a rule book instructing us about how to please God. In his letter to the Galatian congregations, he made some clear declarations […]
However, among the mature we do speak a wisdom, but not a wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a mystery, which God predestined before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age knew it, for if they […]
There is an old proverb about confusion: Someone who is confused will confuse you. Our God doesn’t author confusion, as Paul wrote to believers in Corinth (1 Corinthians 14:33). He authors peace! He is, however, seemingly very fond of chaos. It is a fountain of rawness to Him from which He can author peace and wisdom and beauty and purpose and […]
Who is wise and understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and lie in defiance of the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there […]
At times when you are not responsible for thinking about anything, you are still thinking about something. What do you think about at those times between projects or work or ministry or while you are resting? Those things that float to the surface of your mental pool are your most clear images of who you are and what you will […]
Ralph Waldo Emerson said: Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that […]
Luke started his journal of the Acts of the Apostles referring to the things Jesus did and taught. I think it is note worthy that He did, then He taught. Frequently He sent His disciples out to do supernatural work. When they failed or became confused, He then taught. Even when they were on a mission and were arguing about […]
In order to advance in our level of faith, or of commitment, or understanding, etc, we frequently need to have the input of what I call a “credible witness.” Credible means believable, or worthy of being believed. Incredible means not believable, or not worthy of being trusted. When we see someone we trust standing further out on the ice ahead […]