On Second Thought “To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” — Romans 8:6 There are seasons in the Christian life when a believer becomes exhausted by the same battle. We pray, repent, resist, and promise ourselves that this time will be different, yet the struggle seems toContinue reading “YOU ARE NOT YOUR STRUGGLE”
Tag Archives: Christian growth
The Enemy Within Is Not You
On Second Thought “It is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” Romans 7:17 Many believers quietly live exhausted spiritual lives because they misunderstand the nature of their battle. They wake each morning determined to follow Christ, yet by evening they feel defeated by anger, lust, pride, bitterness, jealousy, orContinue reading “The Enemy Within Is Not You”
When the Word Holds Our Attention
The Bible in a Year “And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday… and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.” Nehemiah 8:3 There is something refreshing about the scene described in Nehemiah 8. The walls of JerusalemContinue reading “When the Word Holds Our Attention”
The Battle Before the Victory
On Second Thought Scripture Reading: Luke 4:1–14 There is something remarkable about the opening verses of Luke 4 that we often overlook. Immediately after His baptism, immediately after the Father’s affirmation—“You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased”—Jesus is led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. We might expect a seasonContinue reading “The Battle Before the Victory”
The Desire That Changes Everything
As the Day Ends “And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.” (1 John 5:6) As the day comes to a close, it is worth asking a simple but important question: How much do I truly desire God’s work in my life? Many believers long for deeper fellowship with GodContinue reading “The Desire That Changes Everything”
The Glory Found in Small Steps
On Second Thought “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Many Christians quietly carry a burden they rarely discuss. They know they should glorify God, but the command feels so large, so lofty, and soContinue reading “The Glory Found in Small Steps”
The God Who Waits for Us
DID YOU KNOW Did you know that God’s patience is not permission to wander farther from Him? Psalm 85 opens with a beautiful remembrance of mercy: “You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin” (Psalm 85:2). The psalmist looks backward and remembers how many times God restored His people after failure.Continue reading “The God Who Waits for Us”
The Battle Within the Believer
On Second Thought There are moments in the Christian life when the greatest danger does not come from the world around us but from neglect within us. Paul’s words to Timothy carry a quiet urgency: “Take heed unto thyself” (1 Timothy 4:16). Before Timothy was instructed to correct others, preach truth, or lead the church,Continue reading “The Battle Within the Believer”
Shaped by the Potter’s Hands
As the Day Begins “You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.” — Isaiah 64:8 There is something deeply comforting about knowing that God is still working on us. Isaiah used the image of the potter and clay to remind Israel thatContinue reading “Shaped by the Potter’s Hands”
Moving Past Yesterday
DID YOU KNOW Did you know that regret can quietly become a form of spiritual bondage even after Christ has forgiven you? Paul understood this struggle deeply. Before becoming an apostle, he persecuted Christians and approved of violence against the church. Yet in Philippians 3:13–14, he declared, “forgetting the things behind and straining toward theContinue reading “Moving Past Yesterday”