Posts from 2022 (Page 13)

Whatever! Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. Philippians 4:8 If our brains are the operating system, our thought patterns are…

Know What You’ve Got Let your conduct be without covetousnesses; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor for sake you.”Hebrews 13:5 Wanting what others have comes from either insecurity or greed. When we feel insecure, we check out what others have, what they wear, what they drive, where they go on vacation, and all other external measuring sticks. We have a pecking order in our minds, and we…

The Trumpet’s Sound And if the [war] bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 1 Corinthians 14:8 Paul encouraged the Corinthians to use clear language in communicating truth to one another, and one of the analogies he used was the sound of a trumpet. In that day and up to the twentieth century, military commanders communicated orders to their troops with distinct trumpet sounds. It was important for the trumpeter to blow strong, long, and clearly…

Useless Religion If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridal his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. James 1:26 We’ve known since childhood that the thigh bone is connected to the knee bone, and James tells us that the heart is connected to the tongue. In fact, James has quite a lot to say about our speech. He reminds us that we can use it to bless or to curse, to…

Don’t Kid Yourself But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. James 1:22 Just as sitting in a garage doesn’t make us a car, sitting in church doesn’t make us real Christians. But when we experience a genuine regeneration through Christ, it changes everything we are, everything we do, and everywhere we…

A Very Big Question Do you not know and understand that you [the church] are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells [permanently] in you [collectively and individually]? 1 Corinthians 3:16 One of the most astounding truths of the Christian life is that the moment we trust in Christ as our Savior, His Spirit takes up residence in our bodies. Yes, that’s right, inside us. Paul relates this insight immediately after explaining that a day is…

I Can Only Imagine but just as it is written [in Scripture], “ Things which the eye has not seen and the ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man , All that God has prepared for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, who obey Him, and who gratefully recognize the benefits that He has bestowed].” 1 Corinthians 2:9 Some of us sit in church week after week singing the songs…

All Things I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.] Philippians 4:13 This is one of the most frequently quoted- and most often misunderstood- verses in the Bible. Many people see it as a blank check on God’s account that…

What Jesus Is But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God [revealing His plan of salvation], and righteousness [making us acceptable to God], and sanctification [making us holy and setting us apart for God], and redemption [providing our ransom from the penalty for sin], 1 Corinthians 1:30 The believers in Corinth were, sad to say, much like wealthy people throughout history. They were proud of their possessions and positions, and…

A Crowning Achievement Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12 We give rewards in every field of business, academics, and government, and we give them for every achievement. Imagine giving a top award at a big banquet to…