Promises for the Battle
Discipline
Godliness #1—Profitable Godliness
Godliness God loves godly living because he is the center of its focus. We live in a godly way when we order both the form and substance of our existence so that everything accords with God’s intention to manifest his glory to and through human beings. Jesus did it, and he calls us to follow … Continue reading
Beatitudes #7—Disciplined for Good
Fortunate are those whom you discipline, O Yahweh, those you teach to follow your instructions in order to protect them from times of trouble, until the wicked are destroyed. Psalm 94:12–13 “This is for your own good” goes the old saying. God said it first. Obeying the gospel’s command to pledge allegiance to Jesus is … Continue reading
Speech #7—Persuasively Sweet
The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:22–23 Godly wisdom is the ability to see and to seek what will bring us the greatest happiness for the longest time in fellowship with God. … Continue reading
Thinking #5—Invigorating Thinking
Consider him who has endured such hostility by sinners against himself, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up. Hebrews 12:3 Because we all want to belong and to be loved, experiencing hostility is particularly trying. It depletes our energy. We see the animosity of family and colleagues as life-threatening. … Continue reading
Goodness #6—Good Discipline
It is for discipline that we endure; God deals with us as with children; what child is there whom a father does not discipline? … They disciplined us for the day, as seemed best to them, but God does so for our good, that we may receive a share of his holiness. Hebrews 12:7–10 Surgical … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About Strengthening Faith
Paul’s sole objective was to work so that people’s faith in the Lord might develop and make progress. In Philippians 1:25 he said, “I will again be with you so that your faith (and resulting joy) might increase.” The faith of these Philippian Christians was already quite advanced. Every time Paul remembered them, he thanked … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About the Blessing of Chastening
According to Deuteronomy 28:47, we are to serve the Lord with joyfulness and gladness of heart, “because of the abundance of all things.” My initial response is that I know of no one, myself included, who has an “abundance of all things.” Everyone senses deficiencies in some part of our lives. Nevertheless, according to this … Continue reading
Father’s Day 2016
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but raise them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 Back in 1970 Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young presented he world with mind-sticking tune: “Teach Your Children Well.” For Father’s Day 2016, here’s my rewrite of their lyrics. You know the tune; don’t … Continue reading
Promises for the Battle 