Whenever I’ve asked my congregation to raise their hands if they’ve suffered this past week, month, or year, everyone raises their hands and there’s inevitably a collective sigh and usually a few chuckles. It’s a form of group commiseration, I suppose…a sort of, “Well, this is our life, and we don’t suspect it’s going to […]
Stop Playing the Victim Read More »
In the early Church, disciples of Jesus were horribly persecuted. A kneejerk reaction might be to become incensed by the fact that anyone trying to do good in this fallen world would be afflicted instead of honored. But that’s a nearsighted perspective. Allow me to explain. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority
Two Unexpected Results Read More »
How do I deal with disturbances to my soul? The quickest answer is that I transcend the situation. This is, of course, easier said than done and it takes a lot of practice. I often think of the Apostle Paul because if anyone in this world has ever had to deal with disturbances to the
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I heard a pastor say in a sermon, “God knows a person’s sin but calls them by their name; whereas Satan knows a person’s name but calls them by their sin.” This got me thinking… Last week I taught a message from my own pulpit which ended with an emphasis on ‘knowing you’re special in God’s eyes.’
God Knows Our Sin But Calls Us By Name Read More »
It makes sense that an unbeliever could see little to no positivity in affliction. But how can so many Christians follow suit when suffering is God’s way of showing His love for His children? It’s a tragedy. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the
The Value of Affliction Read More »
I really enjoy the word grit. It’s a mix of tenacity, perseverance, a roll-up-the-sleeves-and-get-dirty-attitude, resilience, and the ability to get things done. In many ways, it’s the difference between success and failure, winning and losing. It tends to reveal itself after normal working hours on the job or beyond the normal human tolerance for suffering. It
The Last Five Percent Read More »
OUTLINE:If we wish to understand and receive God’s grace, it begins with understanding His Word.Jas 3:17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.Mt 12:30Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.Jn 15:12-13“This
Part 34 – The Book of Hebrews Read More »
Benjamin Franklin once said, “Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” While that’s a quippy thing to say, it’s not entirely accurate, especially for believers. “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated
OUTLINE:Gal 6:3For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.Testing Is A MustTesting qualifies a person’s faith by examining how it holds up under pressure. Heb 5:8Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.Testing Is A MustTesting qualifies a person’s faith by examining how it holds
Part 26 – The Book of Hebrews Read More »
OUTLINE:We Always Focus on the Victim Instead of the PerpetratorBlog – 4/1/23 Where Are Your Eyes??Freedom from our own pain and suffering comes from focusing on others, and on God Himself, His mission for us, even. Lk 23:34, Heb 12:2 Godly Perspective on SufferingSuffering is a necessary aspect of spiritual growth (analogous to growing pains,
Part 22 – The Book of Hebrews Read More »