Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so our comfort overflows through Christ. If we are […]
Category Archives: Discipleship
Why the Law, Then?
Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the actual form of those realities, it can never perfect the worshipers by the same sacrifices they continually offer year after year. (Hebrews 10:1-2 Holman Christian Standard Bible ©®) Since the law Yahweh gave to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to transform them from the slaves of Egypt into the nation of God […]
Directed by the Spirit
On days, we hear a strong word from the Lord, but we are not sure it is from Him, and we don’t know what to do with it. It may sound extreme. It may sound irreverent. Maybe slightly psychotic. Some things we feel that we can discern to be not from Him without any help from the Spirit, like someone saying, “We must all move into one big community and […]
Storms are Coming
Storms are coming. What they will look like, what damage they will be in position to do, how the neighbors will fare, whether they will strike at night or midday, and a hundred other questions are not to be answered until they strike. There are many houses and store fronts that have 5 year old duct tape on them – last minute “preparation” that never got removed because duct tape […]
Loving One Another
Most people getting married this month love each other before getting acquainted (eros – desire). Believers can love each other before getting acquainted (agape – sacrifice). Most people (over half) getting married this month won’t love each other after becoming acquainted (eros – selfishness). Believers can love each other more after becoming acquainted, because they learn weaknesses and needs and ask the Spirit how to meet them (agape – Godliness). […]
Increased Faith
Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.(Hebrews 11:6 Holman Christian Standard Bible ©®) But whoever doubts stands condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith, and everything that is not from faith is sin. (Romans 14:23 Holman Christian Standard Bible ©®) But she came, knelt before […]
Trusting the Author
It is pitiful how many people declare they do not trust the Bible’s information and instruction because it was “written by men,” but who are tuned to CNN, expecting truth. Even worse, some are reading horoscopes and fortune cookies. Actually, maybe horoscopes and fortune cookies aren’t worse than CNN. Anyway, read the Book. Get Truth. Get Wisdom. “Get wisdom, get understanding; don’t forget or turn away from the words of […]
Nearer, My God, to Thee
If studying theology (logy – words; theo – about God) was sufficient work to make us know Jesus, we wouldn’t need the Holy Spirit in our lives. The book is usually better than the movie, but neither the book nor the movie are sufficient process for the development of a real relationship. Having a developing relationship with Jesus is how we come to know Him, though. He wants us to […]
Results or Consequences
When we work with Jesus, obeying His Spirit when He works in us to will and to do what pleases Jesus, we get results. When we work against Jesus, resisting the baptisms and circumstances in which He wants to mature us and prove Himself, we get consequences. One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous person will be enriched, and […]
Hating Our Sin
We hate in others the things we are being convicted of by the Spirit. We hate them in others much more than we hate them in ourselves. Like Peter on the beach asking “What about him?” with regard to John, we are focused on other’s failures and weaknesses instead of ridding ourselves of ours. We make enemies in our minds of people who seem to be getting by with the […]