discipleship – Intentional Faith

Hobnails

Ephesians 6:10-17 Did you know that you’re in a battle every day of your life? The enemy’s goal is to weaken, deceive, and lead believers astray. God protects all who belong to Him, so wicked forces can never touch our salvation (1 Peter 1:3-5). But they can lead us into sin, cause discouragement, ruin ourContinue reading “Hobnails”

As Wisdom Grows, So Will You

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6 CSB Where will you find wisdom today? Will youContinue reading “As Wisdom Grows, So Will You”

The Bush Will Burn till You Turn

“And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt” (Exodus 3:3). “Turn,” by definition means “an act of changing or reversing position or posture.” The burning bush caused Moses to turn. The bush burning in the desert was usual, but a bush not being consumedContinue reading “The Bush Will Burn till You Turn”

The Year of Jubilee

… to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD (Luke 4:18-19). The shadow of the cross was over Jesus’ heart as He read these words from Isaiah in His own synagogue in Nazareth. He knew that He was to fulfill that prophecy in His own suffering andContinue reading “The Year of Jubilee”

God Sees Her

She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” —Genesis 16:13 My first eyeglasses opened my eyes to a bold world. Without glasses, items in the distance were a blur. At age twelve, withContinue reading “God Sees Her”

A Better Existence

Jeremiah 1:1–10 Life was tough for Judah—the Southern Kingdom of Israel—when Jeremiah was alive. The nation was at the mercy of three superpowers: Assyria, Egypt, and Babylon. Jeremiah, probably in his late teenage years at the time of his call, was being asked to speak out a message that wouldn’t be welcomed. His mission, ifContinue reading “A Better Existence”

God of the Ordinary

On any given morning as you read, watch, or listen to the news, do you ever find yourself thinking you are very small? Do you ever wonder, “Does God really know who I am or where I am? What interest would He, the Creator of everything, have in me?” You and I are very ordinary—andContinue reading “God of the Ordinary”

Listen to Your Conscience

“My conscience is held captive by the Word of God. And to act against conscience is neither right nor safe.” These words formed a crucial part of Martin Luther’s fateful response to authorities of church and state when he was ordered to recant of his teachings at the Diet of Worms in 1521. He wasContinue reading “Listen to Your Conscience”

Mercy

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7). This is the fifth Beatitude. When Matthew gets to this point in the Beatitudes, the concern changes, the stress shifts, and the tone turns. In the first four Beatitudes, the emphasis was on our attitude. The fifth through the seventh Beatitudes emphasize our action.Continue reading “Mercy”

Home

The apostle Paul, when inquiring of those early believers in Ephesus about their knowledge of the Holy Spirit, was met with this reply: “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit” (Acts 19:2). Sadly, the same response could be heard from many believers today. The emphasis on who the SpiritContinue reading “Home”