Holding us Back Many things can hold us back from following the Lord wholeheartedly. The world is full of such things, in fact everything “of the world” is opposed to a Spirit led life. Within the depths of every Believer is a desire to be completely the Lord’s, about His mission and filled with His… Continue reading Magazine Issue 11
Category: Theology
The Mystery of God’s Plan
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end." Ec 3:11 "Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked? In the day of prosperity be… Continue reading The Mystery of God’s Plan
Worldly Influence
In the book of judges we read about the Israeli tribes failing to secure their entire inheritance. This caused associations with pagans and idolatrous influence, resulting in discipline from God in the form of bondage. Then they would seek and cry out to God for help. He sent judges with His prevailing power of deliverance. … Continue reading Worldly Influence
Books About Books
The authors “argue for a midway approach, neither falling into the ditch of overemphasizing the Holy Spirit and his gifts today, nor falling into the ditch where “theology” is purely factually correct head knowledge whereby we forgo any practical loving works toward others.” - Spoiledmilks.com, review of “The Holy Spirit” (TFPG) by Allison/Köstenberger A book… Continue reading Books About Books
The Narrow Way
“For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake… But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (2 Corinthians 4:5, 7) World systems have creeped into our organizations, such as… Continue reading The Narrow Way
Desires
"Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God,' for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when… Continue reading Desires
Fear of Loss
“Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days.” (Ecclesiastes 11:1 NKJV) 1 This scripture is about faith, not sight. It does not make rational sense to take what you need to survive, your bread, and cast it upon the waters. However, the principle of faith is assured in that… Continue reading Fear of Loss
Emboldened Faith
“The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (Psalms 46:7,11) This may be very difficult to believe considering our failings, insignificance, circumstances, wandering hopes, selfish desires - weakness. I pray for those who oppose me and treat me badly and forgive them. They aren’t really any worse than me in… Continue reading Emboldened Faith
God’s Recurring Theme
God is Sovereign over Heaven and earth. He has not lost any authority or ability or efficacy of will. The enemy lies suggesting he has authority and that he is comparable to God. An eastern religion actually accepted this lie that Satan and God, Yen and Yang, are locked in an equal struggle neither able… Continue reading God’s Recurring Theme
Heaven’s Perspective vs the World’s
In Luke 19, Yeshua told a parable to those who thought the Kingdom would appear at once. It is referred to as the parable of the “Ten Minas.” I will not recount the parable, but it illustrates the difference between God’s perspective and that of man. God is interested in those who serve Him well… Continue reading Heaven’s Perspective vs the World’s
Thorn in the Flesh
"So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me,… Continue reading Thorn in the Flesh
God’s Way
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” (2 Corinthians 9:6) “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:2) “Do to others as you would have them do… Continue reading God’s Way
Spiritual Truth
You may be going about your business, doing your best and hoping for good, but there is a lot of opposition to the truth. We can’t see air, but it surrounds us and fills us with life-giving breath. In the same way the Spiritual dimension is there before your feet, saturating all reality. God causes… Continue reading Spiritual Truth
Revile Not
"For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For… Continue reading Revile Not
Tedium’s Source and Worth
I was playing and working with my four year old granddaughter in a pre-school workbook we had. She was coloring and drawing, learning colors and hand dexterity, shape names, copying letters, associating things with seasons and I don’t know what else, but some of it seemed very tedious. I questioned its inclusion for a moment… Continue reading Tedium’s Source and Worth
When Yeshua Comes to Town
“Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.” (Matt 8:33-34) What could be worse than pleading for God (in… Continue reading When Yeshua Comes to Town
Distinctions
“…put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.” (Colossians 3:10-11) In the family of God there is no national origin, distinction of religious… Continue reading Distinctions
Anxiety
Are you conscious that God is aware of everything that concerns you? You may quickly reply, “God knows everything.” The paramount question to each of us is, “Can we rely upon His help and love?” Consider all the variables, constraints, alternatives and possibilities which relate to this life, God’s purposes and what is best. With… Continue reading Anxiety
Bondage to Infirmity
“and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately… Continue reading Bondage to Infirmity
Covid Censorship
The United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana recently blocked numerous federal agencies and the White House from collaborating with social-media companies and third-party groups to censor speech. The judge noted that this is “the most massive attack against free speech in United States’ history,” that the Biden administration has “blatantly ignored… Continue reading Covid Censorship
Believer’s Requirements and the Future
“It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.” (Acts 15:28-29) New Believers from… Continue reading Believer’s Requirements and the Future
The Just Shall Live By Faith
"Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith." Habakkuk 2:4 "For in it [the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.' " Romans 1:17 "But that no one is justified by… Continue reading The Just Shall Live By Faith
Prayer Debriefing
Holy Spirit I submit to you and ask that your people find rest in your peace. “When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.” (Proverbs 16:7) This is my prayer for your children, release forgiveness and good thoughts from us to our enemies; show us your… Continue reading Prayer Debriefing
Another Brick in the Wall
This is a metaphor for something made up of smaller pieces. My grandson is just now with his family at Lego world as he enjoys building with Legos, small pieces that fit together to form different objects. Scientists refer to each successive discovery as another piece of our collective wall of scientific knowledge. I wonder… Continue reading Another Brick in the Wall
Conquer the Enemy Through Faith
"When the people of Israel cried out to the Lord on account of the Midianites, the Lord sent a prophet to the people of Israel. And he said to them, '"Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I led you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of slavery...." And I… Continue reading Conquer the Enemy Through Faith
