Promises for the Battle
Faith
Forgiveness #4—Heavenly Warning
My heavenly Father will make every one of you pay your debts to him if you do not forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart. Matthew 18:35 The old saying goes, “You always hurt the one you love.” Scripture consistently confirms this truth. As God establishes the Israelite community he commands: “You shall not … Continue reading
Forgiveness #2—Prophylactic Grace
Put away every kind of bitterness, anger, wrath, quarreling, and evil, slanderous talk. Instead, be kind to one another, compassionate, being gracious to one another, just as God in Christ also was gracious to you. Ephesians 4:31–32 While the first thing we see in this text is a command, if we look closely, we can … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … about Conditions for Peace
Everyone wants to experience what Philippians 4:7 calls “the peace of God which passes understanding.” God’s peace “passes understanding” in that it keeps our hearts peaceful and calm even though we understand perfectly well that there is no human or natural way that we can be extricated from some difficulty that threatens our future. Philippians … Continue reading
Guidance #6—Generous Guidance
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask of God, who gives to everyone generously and without reproach; and it will be given to you. But you should ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:5–6 Even … Continue reading
Behind the Scenes #7—Determined Faith
Jesus was handed over by the determinate plan and forethought of God … and put to death. But God raised him up again … since it was impossible for him to be held in death’s grip. Acts 2:22–24 In the midst of busyness and betrayal, in the heart of chaos and corruption, during the darkest … Continue reading
Behind the Scenes #2—The End In View
Joseph answered, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended evil toward me, but God intended your actions for a good purpose, so he could keep alive a great people.” Genesis 50:20 Joseph was the perfect child, and his brothers hated him for it. So they sold him into slavery. Despite … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About Enjoying Blessings
Have you ever taken inventory of the blessings that we have in Christ? It would be a long list! Three of the items on your list would surely be: (1) the promise of Psalm 50:15 that if we call upon God in the day of trouble, he will deliver us, so that we might glorify … Continue reading
Servants #4—Efficient Servants
Through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13–14 Killing two birds with one stone is the model of hunting efficiency. Serving someone through love is the model of godly efficiency. We don’t have to worry about remembering … Continue reading
From Love to Hope to Faith
It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect longsuffering as an example for those purposing to believe in … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … Faith to Forgive
How easy it is to let anger, bitterness, and hatred rise in our hearts when we think we have been unjustly treated! Not only do we shape our sense of right and wrong to justify the ways we behave toward others; we also shape it to condemn the behavior of others who hurt us. Then, … Continue reading
Promises for the Battle 