“…for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Practice... Continue Reading →
Shedding Your Blood
"In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood" (Hebrews 12:4, ESV). If there is one verse in the Bible that haunts me, one verse that can keep me awake at night, Hebrews 12:4 is that verse. Whether walking in my legalist phase, living in the “freedom of... Continue Reading →
Discipline
“Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty. For he wounds, but he binds up; he shatters, but his hands heal” (Job 5:17-18 ESV). I’m sure it comes as no surprise that the words Discipline and Disciple share the same root. So it should also come as... Continue Reading →
The Fruit You Get!
“But not that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.” (Romans 6:22 ESV) I had a dream where I was at a park which had a fig tree in the center. People who passed through that park... Continue Reading →
Decision Defaults
Our challenge as disciples of Christ is to develop habits that result in holy defaults.
Blood
"In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood" (Hebrews 12:4, ESV). If there is one verse in the Bible that haunts me, one verse that can keep me awake at night, Hebrews 12:4 is that verse. Whether walking in my legalist phase, living in the “freedom of... Continue Reading →
Shaken
“This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,... Continue Reading →
Wisdom Wednesday: Reproof
“My son, do not despise the Lord 's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights” (Proverbs 3:11-12 ESV). I remember watching Jurassic Park many years ago. The hunter, Muldoon, was discussing velociraptors and commented on their intelligence. He... Continue Reading →
Love of the World
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world”... Continue Reading →
Think Possibly!
“But he said, ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God’” (Luke 18:27 ESV). There’s a lot of talk these days about “positive thinking.” And there is merit to the practice. Unfortunately, there also exists the danger of going overboard and developing the mindset that we, in and of ourselves can do anything. This... Continue Reading →
Skipping Stones 