Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]… – Hebrews 12:2, Amplified Bible (AMP) A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, I heard… Continue reading Keep your eyes on the trapeze bar.
Month: October 2013
How would you like to be cursed by God?
Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. – Jeremiah 17:5, Amplified Bible If you were to wake up tomorrow morning and wonder, “How could I make God curse me today?”, what do you think the answer would be?… Continue reading How would you like to be cursed by God?
Here are a couple of great tips on how to be a good debater.
(4) Answer not a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. (5) Answer a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes and conceit. – Proverbs 26:4-5 Amplified Bible (AMP) Proverbs 26:4 and Proverbs 26:5 seem to contradict each other. But, these two verses… Continue reading Here are a couple of great tips on how to be a good debater.
Here’s a great lesson from the ‘Fifth Book of Ruth.’
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ…; – Romans 8:17, KJV We often forget just what we inherit when God adopts us into His family. My friend Jack, who just finished an 8-week study of the Book of Ruth for our Sunday School class, illustrated this point beautifully with his… Continue reading Here’s a great lesson from the ‘Fifth Book of Ruth.’
Let God tell you the point of good preaching.
Whereas the object and purpose of our instruction and charge is love, which springs from a pure heart and a good (clear) conscience and sincere (unfeigned) faith. – 1 Timothy 1:5, Amplified Bible (AMP) There is an old saying that goes, “Birds of a feather flock together.” In other words, people who are alike tend to hang out together.… Continue reading Let God tell you the point of good preaching.
You are not the recruiter. You are the recruitee.
You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing… – John 15:16, Amplified Bible (AMP) We must never lose sight of the sobering truth that we did not choose God as our Master. He… Continue reading You are not the recruiter. You are the recruitee.
God hates it when people throw away His gifts.
Do not neglect the gift which is in you, [that special inward endowment] which was directly imparted to you [by the Holy Spirit]… – 1 Timothy 4:14, Amplified Bible God designed us all in specific ways for specific reasons. As part of our packages of design, God bestowed upon us certain gifts, and He did… Continue reading God hates it when people throw away His gifts.
The wilderness has its benefits.
Then Jesus was led (guided) by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness (desert) to be tempted (tested and tried) by the devil. – Matthew 4:1, Amplified Bible (AMP) The idea of “wandering in the wilderness” doesn’t gin up happy thoughts. Instead, it usually produces thoughts of pain, anguish, and despair. It was in the wilderness… Continue reading The wilderness has its benefits.
Hey, take a minute to pick up your brother’s or sister’s backpack.
Bear (endure, carry) one another’s burdens and troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete what is lacking [in your obedience to it]. – Galatians 6:2, Amplified Bible (AMP) In my younger years I was extremely judgmental. I had an arrogant, pious attitude towards… Continue reading Hey, take a minute to pick up your brother’s or sister’s backpack.
It helps our relationship if you are a little soft.
Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. – Psalm 37:4, Amplified Bible (AMP) The word “delight” in Psalm 37:4 is the Hebrew word “anag.” It is used ten times in the Old Testament, and it is translated seven times as “delight,” one time… Continue reading It helps our relationship if you are a little soft.