There’s An App For That!
app • application application • : an act of putting to use : a program (as a word processor or a spreadsheet) that performs one of the major tasks for which a computer is used : the act of fixing the mind; intenseness of thought; close study; attention : that part of the discourse, in which the principles before laid down and illustrated, are applied to practical uses – ♦ ♦ ♦ – Just for [...]
Living By Faith
A man set out to plant a garden. He purchased a large plot of ground in an area that had fertile soil, and he built a strong fence around it. Then he divided it up into sections, one section for each of his favorite foods, and carefully plowed each section into rows. Next he painted signs for each section, showing colorful pictures of the plump vegetables and fruits he was looking forward to harvesting there: [...]
Intercessory Prayer
How is your prayer life? Mine can always use improvement. So, I was studying some verses on prayer when I came across this one: First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men... This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Tim. 2:1,3-4 To tell [...]
The Hardening of a Heart
There is a unique interplay between our choices and actions and those of the Lord God. Sometimes I get hints from Scripture that the “consequences of our actions” may be more interactive than we believe. The story of Moses and Pharaoh is a good example (Exodus 7-11). God sends Moses to plead with Pharaoh for the release of His people, but He warns Moses, “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart that I may multiply My signs [...]
Your Source of Joy
For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? For you are our glory and joy. 1 Thess. 2:19-20 What will be your source of joy when the Lord Jesus appears in His glory? Barry McGuire recorded a song in 1973 titled “Enter In.” In it, he tells of three men who each come to stand before the [...]
Putting Faith into Action
As Christians, many of us struggle to balance faith with works. Sometimes we lean too far in the direction of legalism and forget that we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Sometimes we lean too far the other direction assuming grace will cover us while we live in sin (Romans 6:1-2). James understood that faith and actions (works) go hand in hand. Either one without the other is worthless. Have you read through [...]
The Doing Comes Out of the Being
Jesus and His disciples were gathered in the Upper Room. The disciples were looking forward to sharing a traditional Passover meal with Jesus. Everything had been prepared. But this evening was not going to be what the disciples were expecting. What Jesus had in store for them would change their world forever. They first began to realize the evening would be unlike any other when Jesus–their Master and Lord–wrapped a towel around His waist and [...]
Whatever is Not From Faith
In Romans chapter 14 (see also 1 Corinthians 8), Paul talks to the believers about their differing convictions. Because the meat they could purchase in the marketplace often had been sacrificed in pagan temples, some of the believers had chosen to avoid meat altogether and eat only vegetables. Others chose to eat the meat, knowing the many “gods” were not real gods and that there is only One True God and therefore meat is just meat. [...]
Whose Fruit Are You Bearing?
At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry was John the Baptist. We read in the gospel of Matthew that he was the one referred to by the prophet Isaiah, sent as a forerunner of the Messiah to prepare the way for His coming. (Matt 3:1-3) When John saw that many of the Pharisees and Sadducees were coming to him for baptism, he declared, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to [...]
Hindered by Unbelief
And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:58 Matthew tells us that when Jesus visited His hometown, He went into the synagogue to teach, as He often did. We read that the people were astonished at His wisdom. They recognized there was something different about Him. But it ended up that “they took offense at Him (13:57).” Why? Because they thought they knew Him. They remembered Him as a [...]
A Measure of Faith
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 Jesus talked a lot about faith. In fact, He frequently made comments like, “Your faith has made you well” when He healed someone, or “You of little faith…” when His disciples came to Him in fear or failure. When we talk about faith, we often use the word “faith” to refer to “my religious beliefs.” Sometimes we [...]
New Year – New Beginnings
We celebrate the New Year with hope. The New Year gives us hope because it offers new possibilities and a chance to start fresh. New Year’s resolutions express our determination to do it better this time and not make the same mistakes. We are attracted to the new. Advertisers know it. They stamp “New and Improved!” on their products because they know it is sure to grab our attention. Kittens, puppies, newborn babies, and flowers [...]