Discerning Between Good and Evil
As far as I’m concerned, all Christians are meant to have general discernment in the Spirit. Some believers say things like “Oh, I don’t have that supernatural gift, so I’m just going to go on trusting God will take care of me.” That sounds nice, and yes to trusting God, but the Bible warns us…
Do with Me as You Please
Martin Luther, at the height of all his trials, testified, “Lord, now that you have forgiven me all, do with me as you please.” Luther was convinced that a God who could wipe away all his sins and save his soul could certainly care for his physical body and material needs. In essence, Luther was…
He Makes Wars to Cease
“He makes wars to cease…” (Psalm 46:9, NKJV). What welcome news this is to the child of God shattered and torn by warfare of the soul. The battle in my soul is his battle, and he alone can end it. My loving Father will not permit the flesh or the devil to bully me into…
Discouragement
When we are hurt, lonely, afraid and overwhelmed, we are often prone to turn aside from our true source of peace and look to human resources. How tragic! We know God is still on the throne, waiting for us to call on him. We know the answer to our needs is to be found alone…
Expressing the Completeness of Christ
Romans 11:17-19 says that we are grafted as wild olive branches into Christ, the holy tree and root. The same Spirit and power that was in him enables and quickens us. We sit like Christ at the right hand of God by faith. How do we know our sins are forgiven? By faith alone. We…
Don’t Do Fitness or Faith Alone
It’s often hard to do things we don’t want to do without motivation or accountability. Always going it alone without support and encouragement means all the motivation has to come from the inside. It also means there is no one around to keep us accountable. When I can’t keep up with my grandchildren, it’s usually…
God’s Purpose in Our Generation
In the scriptures, believers are called to see and experience the potential offered by God in each season of our lives. One of my “verses of life,” which has been a driving force in the pursuit of God’s will for me, is found in Acts. “He raised up David to be their king, of whom…
Get Up and Walk
The paralyzed man in Mark chapter two was forgiven by God, but he was still captive to his affliction. He was relieved of all his sins but still impotent. He knew Christ as a relief but not as a resource! It is not enough to be forgiven. Christ’s part is to clear us before God,…
Marvelous Grace
What in us attracts the marvelous grace, mercy and pardon of our Savior? Is it beauty, goodness or strength? Is it a unique potential or special gift? No! It is our great need and utter helplessness that attracts his grace. It is our weakness that attracts his strength. Our helpless condition is exemplified by the…
Praising God for His Goodness
“They shall utter the memory of your great goodness, and shall sing of your righteousness” ( Psalm 145:7 NKJV ). We cannot deny God’s call to praise him in all his excellencies, but we are especially called to praise him for his goodness. Note that the Psalmist insisted on an abundance of praise in memory…