“And Mary said,’My soul magnifies the Lord,and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;for he who is mighty has done great things for me,and holy is his name.And his mercy is for those who fear … Continue reading In the Thoughts of Their Hearts
Faith
Don’t Let Them Sweet Talk You into Backing Down
At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. Nevertheless, I must go on … Continue reading Don’t Let Them Sweet Talk You into Backing Down
When the Church is Not the Church
This will be more of a topical Bible study today, so I will be referring to multiple passages of Scripture. But I will begin with a definition of “church” (the ekklesia). From the Greek interlinear: “Properly, people called out from the world and to God, the outcome being the Church (the mystical body of Christ) … Continue reading When the Church is Not the Church
A Desire to Inherit the Blessing
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like … Continue reading A Desire to Inherit the Blessing
At Your Word I will Let Down the Nets
Luke 5:1-11 ESV On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, … Continue reading At Your Word I will Let Down the Nets
Give God the Glory and Honor
Psalms 34 (select verses) “I will bless the Lord at all times;his praise shall continually be in my mouth.My soul makes its boast in the Lord;let the humble hear and be glad.Oh, magnify the Lord with me,and let us exalt his name together!” (vv. 1-3) If we are true followers of Jesus Christ, he should … Continue reading Give God the Glory and Honor
Comfort One Another
“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of … Continue reading Comfort One Another
A 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 A Thorn in the Flesh
Run With It 