Posts Tagged ‘Empowered’
Our Daily Bread
Give us today our daily bread. Matthew 6:11 (NIV) Fifty years ago, the first Price Club opened in San Diego, it was followed by Costco, Sam’s Clubs, and a few others. The era of the big box club store began where people could buy foods and other products in great quantity at discount prices. The…
Read MoreYesterday, Today, and Forever
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NLT) We do not need to be reminded that we live in a society whose standards are ever evolving, and inarguably, moving away from the truth of the gospel message. There are enormous pressures confronting the church to acknowledge, accept, and adapt the practices…
Read MoreFollow Me (as I follow Christ)
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV) Paul’s words to the Corinthians, while inspiring, also cause thoughts of inadequacy or unworthiness. “Follow me, or my example” is not a suggestion, but a command. We can feel the weight of responsibility. We may defer, or demure, while recounting our…
Read MorePerfect Love
There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love. We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:18–19 (CSB) What causes you to be frightened? Are you afraid of the future, or maybe you are afraid that…
Read MoreFind Us Faithful
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV) There are distinguishing attributes of the servant of Christ. We must be obedient, diligent, humble, persevering, courageous, devoted, and uncompromising. Is it possible that all of these could be summed up in a single word, faithful?…
Read MoreOrder or Disorder?
God isn’t a God of disorder but of peace. 1 Corinthians 14:33 (CEB) The Corinthian church was at times chaotic. They had their divisions, with some members loyal to various apostolic authorities. Even around the Lord’s table, those who had an abundance refused to share with those who were in need. Paul was exercising his…
Read MoreDevoted to Prayer and the Word
The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty.…
Read MoreUnconditional Surrender
Submit yourselves, then, to God. James 4:7 (NIV) The unconditional surrender of Japan at the end of World War II meant that there were no negotiated terms. Japan had to accept the Allied demands without bargaining. Including disarmament, occupation, and the restructuring of its government. The country came under the control of the Allied Powers,…
Read MoreCome Out From Them
Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:17–18 (NIV) What did Paul mean when he said, “Come out from them…
Read MoreThe Greatest Miracle of All
There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (NLT) Acts 2 begins, “When the day of Pentecost had fully come.” This was the birthday of the church. This new era was ushered in with signs and wonders. They saw tongues…
Read MorePrayer and Obedience
Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. James 4:17 (NLT) “I will pray about it.” Is it used as a trump card, or is it an excuse for inaction or disobedience? We will not claim that every time someone responds with “I will have to pray…
Read MoreTruth and Freedom
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 (NLT) Truth is controversial. We live in a world of so-called “truth detectors,” and “fact checkers.” The self-appointed “guardians” purport to set the record straight, but then there are “fact checkers” for the “fact checkers.” And the cycle goes on…
Read MoreThe Baptism of Fire
“I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Matthew 3:11 (NLT) I…
Read MoreIt’s Time to Glow
But whenever he went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with the Lord, he would remove the veil until he came out again. Then he would give the people whatever instructions the Lord had given him, and the people of Israel would see the radiant glow of his face. So he would put the…
Read MoreHe Left Home and Throne
He existed in the form of God, yet he gave no thought to seizing equality with God as his supreme prize. Instead he emptied himself of his outward glory by reducing himself to the form of a lowly servant. He became human! He humbled himself and became vulnerable, choosing to be revealed as a man…
Read MorePrepare the Way
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight! Mark 1:2–3 (CSB) As we begin the Advent season, many preparations are underway. There…
Read MoreHe Still Holds the Keys
I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. Revelation 1:18 (NLT) Jesus holds the keys of death and the grave. Possession of the keys indicates authority. The Resurrection was more than an event fixed in history two thousand years…
Read MoreThis Is My Story
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) This is my story. It’s not as dramatic, or as traumatic as other people’s testimonies, but it illustrates God’s goodness and his faithfulness. To provide context I need to…
Read MoreFireproof
These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed…
Read MoreBe Like Peter
It is important to have role models in our lives, but we can also learn from people in the Bible, and in history. Peter is someone to whom we can relate because even though he failed at times, he kept on going. He wouldn’t give up. Peter was at the center of everything. The first…
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