Poured Out for Others
The Meaning of a Sacrificial Life
Following the apostle’s example, each of us is also called to be a drink offering for others. We’re called to be poured out as a glorifying accompaniment to their lives of sacrificial service. Like Paul, we labor and run and work and give so that others can be pure and blameless for the day of... Continue Reading
Ponder These Things: Antidote to Anxiety
In Philippians 4, Paul calls the anxious to prayer as well as to ponder and practice certain things.
We have peace with God through Christ Jesus, He is guarding our hearts and minds. Furthermore, not only do we have peace with God, but the God of peace Himself is with us. What can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus? Nothing! Ponder these things my friends. Anxious, Angry, and... Continue Reading
Be Free! (Galatians 4:8–11)
Don’t go back to the slavery of legalism, ritualism, and materialism.
There will always be strong temptations to pull away from Christ and back to self-determining legalism, ritualism, and materialistic self-fulfillment. The Galatians, like Lot’s wife, were succumbing to this temptation [to look back]. Will we do the same? “What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to... Continue Reading
Early Heresies: Montanism
Montanus emphasized ongoing direct revelation by the holy spirit and severe ascetic discipline.
For those of us who read about Montanism in the past, or interact with Pentecostals and their insistence on ongoing revelation in the present…we need to be so “well acquainted with the Scriptures” and so familiar with hearing the voice of our Shepherd speaking in Scripture (John 10:27), that we’ll listen to His voice only,... Continue Reading
The Purpose of Time
Will you trust Him with all the ebbs and flows of your life?
As you plan your steps—as you see the sands of your hourglass sifting away—there are going to be times in which you will not know the work that God is doing. You will not find out the work that God is doing. Nevertheless, God knows the beginning from the end. In the previous article... Continue Reading
7 Lessons Learned While in the Darkness of Despair (Psalm 88)
Godly people really do suffer.
God is good and knows what is best. And that includes our suffering and the darkest clouds of despair. After all, God the Father turned from His only begotten Son in the midst of the worst of His suffering for both Jesus’ glory and our good. Depression is a serious matter that so many... Continue Reading
Christlike Work in a Burnout Society
A theology of work rooted in divine love, quiet ambition, and missional living.
Work can be consuming and painful. But because of Christ, we don’t work for an identity but from one. Let’s embrace our vocations and work with Christ to bring renewal to an exhausted world. Recently a friend told me, “I feel like my job is a drain on my soul.” His words describe how... Continue Reading
Brokenness vs Sin
Brokenness is not the same as sin. Sin is rebellion against a holy God. Brokenness is the effect of that rebellion in our lives and the world around us.
Our sin actively causes brokenness. But not all brokenness is the result of our personal sin.…The ultimate answer is not a false gospel of self-improvement, whether personal or societal. It is the true gospel of Jesus Christ…He defeated sin and began the restoration of all things, starting in us. This past month we started... Continue Reading
Encountering God’s Holiness (Isaiah 6; Exodus 3:1-12)
Make it your mission to cultivate a bigger view of God.
In turbulent times like ours, God doesn’t call us to find better strategies or stronger leaders. He calls us to encounter His holiness. When we do, everything changes. We see Him as infinitely greater than our crises. We see ourselves as far more broken than we realized, yet far more forgiven than we dared hope.... Continue Reading
Witchcraft in the Church
The witchcraft of rebellion is alive and well in the modern church.
Rebellious men try to convince others that humility is a sign of weakness, not boldness. Yet we should learn that it is the truly humble man who possesses spiritual boldness. The Scriptures warn God’s people strongly against the occult and its practices. The Law of God states plainly, “If a person turns to mediums... Continue Reading
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