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 ©®)
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21 English Standard Version ©®) Not taking responsibility for the power and authority and righteousness that are parts of our identities when we become born again and then begin to mature is like […]
Professional theologians would have us believe that paradigm is the proper way to perceive spirituality and the rest of life as the spirit is manifest in the earthly place: this is right, and that is wrong. Either this or that, then is the choice. I am convinced that Jesus prefers a paradox: this is right, but so is that, and […]
The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will explain everything to us.”“I am He,” Jesus told her, “the One speaking to you.” (John 4:25-26 Holman Christian Standard Bible ©®) Jesus announced to a woman from a Samaritan town that He is Messiah. She was expecting Messiah to appear […]
We should really be something between surprised and perplexed by the fact that one of the times Jesus spent the night praying, He called his disciples around Him and called 12 of them “apostles.” “Disciples” makes sense. Some of His followers were in deep relationships with Him. Some were intent on being obedient to His instructions and on applying His […]
James wrote that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). Paul wrote that in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love (Galatians 5:6). Potential in a battery is power that is latent. It could produce work, but not unless it is connected properly in a circuit with a load that can do […]
What is your typical response when your good works are rewarded with evil consequences? Sometimes it seems when that happened to individuals whose lives are recorded in the Book, that the justice they received was not an immediate vindication. In the lives of Joseph and of the 3 friends of Daniel: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (who are sometimes better known by […]
Suppose that you had no New Testament Scriptures. How would that affect your ability to share the Good News? What difference would it make in your daily devotions? What Scriptures would you have quoted on your refrigerator? What Scriptures were the Bereans reading as they first checked to see if what Paul and Silas were saying were true, and then, as many of […]
Earthly kings frequently maintain their continuation of power by invoking fear in their servants and their subjects. There are many governments in the earth today whose leaders are terrorists, threatening their subjects with the fear of death and of torture as responses to rebellion. The King of Heaven offers freedom and protection and provision to His people. He draws them […]
Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end.They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! I say: The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him. (Lamentations 3:22-24 from Holman Christian Standard Bible ©®) You can’t even find your car in a parking lot some days. Suppose it […]