ArchiveOctober 2011

Take it for Granted

Take it for Granted

For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.  Philippians 1:29 Suffering is part of the package deal we receive as Christians.  The Bible says God granted us both “believing in...

Oh Victory in Jesus

Oh Victory in Jesus

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Ephesians 6:10 The Bible says their is an enemy of my soul and a cosmic battle happening around me in the heavenly realm. Fascinating! To have victory spiritually I must be strong, not...

What are words for?

What are words for?

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29 The pop band from the 80’s called Missing...

Dimension

Dimension

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power...

Why?

Why?

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved). Ephesians 2:4-5 The big question of life is...

Child of Promise

Child of Promise

Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. Galatians 4:1-2 The great and special place of the...

We Don’t Get Fooled Again

We Don’t Get Fooled Again

Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Galatians 3:3 The life we live as Christians is done so, empowered by the Holy Spirit of God. This is one more way Christians have become different than they...

Fourteen Years

Fourteen Years

Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. Galatians 2:1 Paul was apart from Peter and the other apostles in Jerusalem for a long time before he returned. During this time he saw the...

Pleaser

Pleaser

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 Trying to be a “pleaser of men” will cause difficulty for...

Look In

Look In

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5 In his closing words to his beloved Corinthians, Paul charges them to...

Is it Enough?

Is it Enough?

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 Know that God is aware of my suffering is a great comfort. If He is aware and He cares, yet leaves me to suffer… then truly His...

Mystery Man

Mystery Man

And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 2 Corinthians 8:18 Who was this mystery man who was famous and so highly praised for his sharing the gospel in the first century? We may...

Big Moka

Big Moka

For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints; for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of...

Boast

Boast

But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends. 2 Corinthians 10:18 The Bible warns about pride. One antidote is to boast only in the Lord. That means to boast only...

Perfect Holiness

Perfect Holiness

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 A godly response to encouragement, correction or discipline is a personal fervor...

No offense

No offense

Giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited. 2 Corinthians 2:3 The apostle Paul lived his life in such a way that people would see his ministry and the gospel in a favorable light. It didn’t always...

New

New

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 The Bible promises that whoever comes to God and repents of their sin, receives Jesus Christ, and is obedient to His...

Squint

Squint

So death works in us, but life in you. 2 Corinthians 4:12 The Bible says that when Christians consider their bodies to be dead to sin, then the glorious spiritual life of God shines in us. In other words, when I do things to stop sinning, like...

Zoe

Zoe

For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:6 The famous Ten Commandments are truly glorious, and so are the accompanying Jewish law. But by comparison to the life we are afforded being filled, empowered, and directed by...

Something Smells Good

Something Smells Good

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14 Wherever obedient Christians go, God finds them to be a sweet smell. We may be in...

Comfort

Comfort

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves...

Act like Men!

Act like Men!

Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 The Bible gives all of us (especially men) 5 strong guideposts for living. Stay in these boundaries and our lives are...

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