Matthew 5:10-12 ESV “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they … Continue reading Be Thankful Even for Trials
Salvation
No Longer Following the Course of this World
Ephesians 2:1-3 ESV “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience — among whom we all once lived in the passions of … Continue reading No Longer Following the Course of this World
Do You Have the Holy Spirit, Really?
In 1 John 1-4 we learn these truths: If we say we have fellowship with God while we walk (in conduct, in practice) in darkness (sin), we lie and we do not practice the truth. If we say that we know the Lord but we do not obey his commandments (New Covenant) we are liars … Continue reading Do You Have the Holy Spirit, Really?
Don’t Believe Every Spirit
1 John 4:1-3 ESV “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and … Continue reading Don’t Believe Every Spirit
Speaking the Truth in Love
Ephesians 4:11-16 ESV “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to … Continue reading Speaking the Truth in Love
In Love with Self, Not God
Ephesians 4:17-19 ESV “Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They … Continue reading In Love with Self, Not God
For His Good Pleasure
Philippians 2:12-13 ESV “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” As Obedient Children … Continue reading For His Good Pleasure
Becoming Obedient to the Point of Death
Philippians 2:5-8 ESV “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in … Continue reading Becoming Obedient to the Point of Death
A Man Named Zacchaeus
Luke 19:1-10 ESV “He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on … Continue reading A Man Named Zacchaeus
Ought You Not Rather to Mourn?
1 Corinthians 5:1-2 ESV “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.” Sexual … Continue reading Ought You Not Rather to Mourn?
