I have a need to be seen. Without God, the temptation is to satisfy this need through people. Perhaps in my family relationships, career, ministry but whatever the avenue we have ample resources today for promoting ourselves and pursuing validation in the things we do. I’ve even found myself disappointed by a cold meal because instead of enjoying it piping hot as it arrived, I spent too long trying to get the most delicious looking picture for my Instagram.
Category: Righteousness
Freedom
It started off with just one glass in the evening here and there to relax. Then the habit of getting a bottle of wine after a really stressful day, or needing a break and wanting to shut down. Drinking at home in the evening led to every family party and occasional moms/girls night out. I thought I had control over it but it was a stronghold that I struggled to say no to.
Bearing the Mark
The beauty of Jesus is that his mark is so broad it can be found on any person no matter their age, sex, race, social status, or culture. However, there are many who claim to bear the mark of Christ who do little more than put on a t-shirt or listen to Contemporary Christian Music. To these people the Church is equivalent to a social club.
Becoming Great
God wants us to be great. Why would a devoted follower of Jesus want to be great? Shouldn’t our focus be to make the world see Jesus as great? Yet God does want us to be great and told His disciples exactly how to get there.
Exorcising Your Demons
It should be expected that new believers (and even mature believers who are often called to go through deep personal struggles) to have a few demons plaguing them and not wanting to let go. But once the individual believer experiences deliverance and is free from the demonic oppression, s/he should use that freedom to grow stronger in faith and in following Jesus.
Fate and the Paradox of Free Will – Part 1
How deep and wide and inexplicable God’s heart must be to love us all so intimately! Did this Creator become His creation to know me better? How does such a mighty God, who knows the designs of nebulas light years away from this tiny blue planet in an insignificant part of the universe, know the deep dark fragile parts of my heart that need to be healed?
Lessons from Job: The Bet.
Think about two boys on the playground. One kid starts bragging about how strong his dad is, and the other naturally has to challenge him and state, “I bet my dad can beat up your dad.” It is a challenge, but it is also a bet. A wager to see whose dad is more powerful. If their fathers were actually to fight, the kid whose dad won would also win bragging rights as a result of the bet. This is similar to what happened to Job
Can We Worship God in Vain?
It is possible to worship God in vain, being misguided by the ideas of people, focusing on surface things while neglecting the heart. Jesus highlights this in a conversation with the Pharisees, religious leaders of His day, using scripture to demonstrate how their disobedience to the law of Moses revealed a problem with their hearts.
Jesus’s Compassion
And Jesus went forth, and saw the multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick.
Condemnation versus Correction
Condemnation and correction are not the same. Father never condemns us, but he does correct us.