Romans 10:17 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Notice how it does not say, “Faith comes by hearing the Word of God”. Yet that is how most Christians interpret it. It is a two step process, not a one step. Faith comes by hearing, but the capacity […]
Faith Comes By Hearing (Parable of the Sower) Read More »
Introduction Over the years, people have accumulated all kinds of ideas about what Paul’s thorn in the flesh was, and what was its purpose. The traditional interpretation is that God gave Paul some sort of sickness, possibly an eye disease, to keep him humble. Paul prayed three times to ask that it be taken away
Hearing from God Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. God leads His sons. The Greek is huios – meaning mature sons. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the mature sons of God. We are sons of
Listening to the Lord Read More »
Under Law 1 John 1:8-9 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 2:1-2 1 My little children, these things
Agree with your Advocate Read More »
There is plenty of adversity to go around in the world today. Adversity means a state or instance of serious or continued difficulty or misfortune. You can also relate it to the word adversary, which is someone opposed or against us. In fact, the Hebrew word for adversary is satan. John 10:10 The thief does
Rejoicing in Adversity Read More »
Note: this is a piece I wrote for our church newsletter when I was pastoring waaaay back in 1994. At the time, my boys were 12, 9, 6, 3, and 2. I realize there is a difference in opinion on what to do with the secularization of Christmas and Santa Claus. But here is how
The Christian and Santa Claus Read More »
Some of the key points from Part One Temptation is inevitable – it is “common to man” It is not a sin to be tempted. Jesus was tempted in all points as we are, but without sin Temptation has its origin in our own desires, which may not be a bad thing in its proper
How to Handle Temptation – Part Two Read More »
Temptation is Inevitable What is temptation? The dictionary defines it as enticement to sin or do wrong. It involves some sort of pull or influence on you to act or do something. It almost always has a negative connotation – we don’t think of ourselves as being tempted to do good. Matthew 18:7 NIV “Woe
How to Handle Temptation – Part One Read More »
The Principal of Identification The principal of Identification is that Christ was our substitute, and God counts the things that He did as if we did them. Let’s look at an example. Romans 6:1-12 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?2 Certainly not! How shall we who
Look in the Mirror Read More »
The word for 2020 can be found in 1 Chronicles 20:20 2 Chronicles 20:15-20 15 And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours,
Believe His Prophets Read More »
