Posts Tagged ‘Empowered’
What Do We Know?
We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. 1 John 5:20 (NIV) Are you familiar with the expression, “What you don’t know can’t hurt you?” While there may be circumstances where this maxim is proven true, often, it is…
Read MoreWhat Do You See?
And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes. 2 Kings 6:17 (NIV) There is seeing, and then there is seeing that goes deeper than the surface. It is hard to see things as they really are because of our lack of insight or preconceived…
Read MoreA Voice in the Wilderness
He said, “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord—just as Isaiah the prophet said.” John 1:23 (CSB) We live in an era with “self-proclaimed experts” offering advice on just about any subject imaginable. If you have a message that you want people to hear…
Read MoreHeart Check: How Is Your Cardio?
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV) Paul’s admonition to Timothy provokes a variety of reactions. For example, those who loath the thought of exercise might believe Paul gives them the ammunition…
Read MoreWhat Is Your One Thing?
Distractions are a part of life. They always have been. We may choose to believe that the complexities and pace of life in modern times are without parallel in history, but even in the simplest and slowest-paced age people have faced distractions that endeavor to hinder the achievement of goals and objectives. Multitasking is great…
Read MoreBread for the Nations
I am the bread of life. John 6:48 (NIV) …as he is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:17 (NKJV) Revival is on our hearts and minds. Over the past several weeks we have looked at farming as a framework for revival. The desire for revival leads through a sequence and a season.…
Read MoreWe Need the Living Water
For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children. Isaiah 44:3 (NLT) We have been examining farming as an illustration of revival. We began with “Preparing the Ground” and “Sowing the Seed,”…
Read MoreSowing the Seed
“Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. Mark 4:3 (NIV) We are looking at farming as a model for revival. We began last time by focusing on the first step, “Preparing the Ground.” To receive a harvest (revival) there are steps to be taken. When I was a boy, my aunt and uncle…
Read MoreThe Determination of the Christ
As the time approached when Jesus was to be taken up into heaven, he determined to go to Jerusalem. Luke 9:51 (CEB) It is Easter week, and we are familiar with the sequence of events: The Last Supper, the garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal by Judas, the trial and torture, the crucifixion, and ultimately, the…
Read MoreThriving in “Babylon”
“Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Jeremiah 29:5 (NLT) God’s people were now in exile. It was demonstrably their own fault. They were unfaithful to God. Babylon was God’s instrument to bring correction to his people. 70 years, the span of a lifetime, was the decree. Would…
Read MoreBe a Contender
…I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. Jude 3 (NIV) Marlon Brando won an Oscar for his portrayal of dockworker Terry Malloy in the 1954 film “On the Waterfront.” Malloy had been an up-and-coming boxer before he was coerced…
Read MoreRejoice… Always
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4 (NIV) It is time to address an imbalance. Historically, much has been said about Paul’s command to “pray without ceasing,” but what about “rejoice always?” What does it mean to “rejoice always?” When things are good, rejoicing is almost a given, but…
Read MoreRevive Us Again
Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Psalm 85:6 (NIV) “The only reason we don’t have revival is because we are willing to live without it.” — Leonard Ravenhill Observing contemporary culture and even the church, it would be hard to reach any other conclusion than this: “We Need…
Read More“Do Not Despise Prophecies”
Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt. But examine all things; hold fast to what is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:19–21 A never-failing way to quench the spirit and cause prophetic utterances to be treated with scorn and contempt is to make a bold and public “thus saith the Lord” declaration that…
Read MoreStand Firm
Stand firm, and you will win life. Luke 21:19 (NIV) Airport trams and trains can make me nervous. I usually travel with a carry-on rolling suitcase and a backpack. When I board, I look for something to hold onto because when the tram starts or stops, it can be a challenge to maintain balance, but…
Read More#NotMyEmperor
Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:17 (NIV) The ancient world knew nothing of presidential elections, electronic voting machines, or mail-in ballots. Emperors and rulers rose to power, many times through treachery, betrayal, or deceit (“Et tu, Brute?”[i]). The apostle Peter wrote these words…
Read MoreFeeling Squeezed? Under Pressure?
“Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.” (Romans 12:2, J. B. Phillips-New Testament in…
Read MoreGive Me This Mountain
“I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out, and I am just as ready to fight now as I was then. So give me the mountain country the LORD promised me that day long ago.” Joshua 14:11–12a (NCV) By my definition and probably by any reasonable definition, Caleb…
Read MoreAdvent: The Great Disruption
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2 (CEB) Everyone at one time or another has had the experience of being in a darkened room, either awake or asleep when suddenly, bright lights are turned on. This disruption to the…
Read MoreAll Things
“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. Job 42:2 (NIV) Have you heard somebody say something like this: “No matter who the president is, Jesus is still Lord.” It is a true statement, but is it one of consolation or confidence? If it is spoken with confidence,…
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