Posts Tagged ‘Equipped’
A Servant’s Heart: Determination
Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. Isaiah 50:7 (NLT) The servant songs found in Isaiah paint pictures for us that describe not only the life…
Read MoreA Servants Heart: Listening
The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will. The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away. Isaiah 50:4–5 (NLT) The book…
Read MoreDeception and Discernment
A discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. Proverbs 15:14 (CSB) Some days, the limits of incredulity are stretched so far that it makes one wonder if everything is on the verge of collapsing. This week, the Supreme Court is hearing a case on “transgender” athletes in high school sports.…
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 MoreCommissioned!
Commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, because he will lead these people over and will enable them to inherit the land you will see.” Deuteronomy 3:28 (NET) Being commissioned by God means being sent — chosen for a purpose that is bigger than yourself. It isn’t just about having a task; it’s about being…
Read MoreMake Disciples
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations… Matthew 28:19 (CSB) The command to make disciples is clear. There can be no misunderstanding of the mandate that Jesus gave his followers. And yet, discipleship is viewed as optional for those who want to be “advanced” Christ-followers. We should start by asking, “What is a disciple?”…
Read MorePreach the Gospel!
For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am compelled to preach—and woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 1 Corinthians 9:16 (CSB) Preachers today are preaching many things, but gratefully, some of them are still preaching the gospel. Biblical preaching is the proclamation, according to…
Read MoreJesus is Lord
But for us, There is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live. 1 Corinthians 8:6 (NLT) Jesus is Lord! The words are easy to say, but that does not…
Read MoreAre You Ready?
Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 1 Peter 3:15 (NLT) The question of the hour is: “Are you ready?” Someone might ask, “Ready for what?” I would reply that I am not sure, but it…
Read MoreAsk for Anything
“But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” John 15:7–8 (NLT) What did Jesus mean when he said, “you may ask for…
Read MoreBuild Up, Let it Go
For David, after he had served God’s purpose in his own generation, died… Acts 13:36 (NET) Last time, we discussed the necessity of preparation before building a life or a ministry. Whether it means preparing the soil of our hearts, repenting and clearing away impediments to our spiritual journey, or planting the incorruptible seed of…
Read MoreTear Down, Build Up
A time to tear down and a time to build up. Ecclesiastes 3:3 (NLT) We might be inclined to think that tearing down is negative, and building up is positive. It is a reasonable conclusion, but reality is more complicated. Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a time, or a season for every activity. Sometimes…
Read MoreIncrease My Capacity
“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT) Paul’s comparison of physical versus spiritual training is fascinating. While conceding that exercise has value, he finds that it is minimal when viewed in the light of training for…
Read MoreCome to Me
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28–30 (CSB)…
Read MoreRejected, But Not Dejected
You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. 1 Peter 2:4 (NLT) No one is exempt from disappointment and feelings of rejection. People rejected Jesus, so we are in good company when we are rejected. The…
Read MoreIf Possible
If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 (CSB) This verse presents a daunting challenge, “live at peace with everyone.” We don’t always live at peace with those who are closest to us, let alone everyone. It begins with the condition, “If Possible.” What makes it possible?…
Read MoreHot or Cold?
“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! Revelation 3:15–16 (NLT) Is it better to be hot or to be cold?…
Read MoreIt’s Time to Grow
The book of Ecclesiastes informs us that there is “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.” Ecclesiastes 3:1–2 (NLT) As each year goes by, we grow older, but that does…
Read MoreRecalibration
My child, listen and be wise: Keep your heart on the right course. Proverbs 23:19 (NLT) In my mind, New Year’s resolutions do not have a great deal of credibility. People have good intentions, but by the middle of January a preponderance of resolutions have already been abandoned. Some resolutions are unreasonable while for others…
Read MoreWe Are at War
The warfare we’re engaged in, you see, isn’t against flesh and blood. It’s against the leaders, against the authorities, against the powers that rule the world in this dark age, against the wicked spiritual elements in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 (BFE) Jesus told us that in the last days we would hear of wars…
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