Glorification
Blameless before God To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 1:24–25 “Who, me?” Have you ever responded that way, …
Edification
What Attitudes and Behaviors Build Up God’s Church? Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Romans 14:19 (NKJV) Conflict. Sometimes I ignore it or even run from it. On other occasions, I aggravate the situation by using inappropriate methods to resolve it. Paul urged his readers to battle …
Greatness
What’s So Great about God’s Greatness? Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. Psalm 145:3 KJV The word great has lost its greatness. Overuse and misuse have toppled it. Dethroned and disgraced, it’s been relegated to the Most Unwanted Adjectives posters taped to the walls of English classrooms across the country. Merriam-Webster lists …
Mercy
God’s Forever Mercy Mary said, “His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.” Luke 1:50 Part of me resists the need for mercy. The word declares that I’ve committed an offense against someone (I have) and deserve punishment (I do). Every day I miss the mark of right living God has established. Multiple times. Every day …
Questions
Asking Good Questions “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” John 3:4 Nicodemus was religious: he was a Pharisee; he was a ruler: one of the seventy Sanhedrin—the Jewish ruling council. According to Jesus: he was “a teacher.” Nicodemus came to Jesus …
Freedom
The Freedom Christ Gives So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. Galatians 5:1 (NLT) Freedom doesn’t exist—not if it means we can do whatever we please without restraint or consequence. Satan has been spreading that lie since he slithered into the garden …
Perseverance
Soil Improvement But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. Luke 8:15 NASB Have you ever planted a garden which looked great in spring as it sprouted and blossomed, only to be parched by the sun or …