Promises for the Battle
Faith
Examples of Faith #1—Enoch
God desires our faith in him to grow. Indeed, he expects our faith in him to grow. The principle reason Christ gifted his Church with apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers is so that they could equip the rest of us, his saints, to serve one another so that we would become mature in our faith. … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About Close Fellowship with God
God wants close fellowship with each of us. Jesus pictured himself as knocking at our heart’s door, with the hope that we will open it so he can have, as it were, table fellowship with us (Revelation 3:20). But in order for fellowship to occur, there must not only be that other person with whom … Continue reading
Perseverance #2—Way Out Endurance
If you think you stand, pay attention so you do not fall. No trial of faith is new or unique; and God is faithful, in that he will not permit you to be tested beyond your ability, but with the test will even provide the way out, that you may be able to endure it. … Continue reading
Perseverance #1—Evidence For Hope
When we feel like giving up; when the pressure seems so unbearable that we’re ready to cave in; we can fine tune our faith by remembering that God works to preserve his people. That is, when we entrust our future to the God who sustained Jesus in the garden and raised him from the tomb, … Continue reading
Thinking #4—Captivating Thoughts
We do not war according to the flesh. … We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God and we are taking every thought captive to make it obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3–5 From the whispered question, “Indeed, has God said …?” to the bold challenge, “Throw yourself down … Continue reading
Thinking #3—Considering History
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac … his only son; of whom God said, “In Isaac your descendants shall be called.” He considered that God is able to raise men even from the dead. Hebrews 11:17–19 When Abraham went down to Egypt to escape the famine, and sold his wife into … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About “Keeping Myself in the Love of God”
In Jude, verse 21, I read the simple command: “Keep yourselves in the love of God.” This implies that God’s love for me remains constant and unchanging. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He loves me with an “everlasting love.” This command also implies that I can either remain in the sunshine of … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About Present Contentment
Hebrews 13:5 commands us to be content with our present financial circumstances, so that we don’t act unlovingly. A literal rendering of the Greek is “Be content with the present things.” While the “present things” surely include our possessions and money, they refer also to everything that is a part of our life situation. Surely … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About Fear and Faith
Fear is real and rational when reality confronts us with what appears to be danger. However, when we perceive Jesus’ presence, our perception of reality changes. As followers of Jesus we can fight fear with faith by acknowledging that Jesus’ supernatural abilities are immediately available to us whenever he makes his presence felt. Consider Peter’s … Continue reading
Conquerors #8—Conquering Praise
In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have conquered the world. John 16:13 Almighty God, Ruler of your vast creation, we take heart in the midst of tribulation because of how Jesus, who emptied himself of the prerogatives of deity and incorporated himself among us as a servant, achieved victory and … Continue reading
Promises for the Battle 