Promises for the Battle
Fellowship
Trials #7—Stumbling Success
Simon, Simon, pay attention! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not cease. When you have turned back, stabilize your brothers. Luke 2:31–32 “Two steps forward, one step back,” is fine, as far as it goes. But we must also remember … Continue reading
Godliness #7—Godly Fellowship
Turn away from evil, do good, and always live together in fellowship. For I AM loves justice, and does not forsake his godly ones. Psalm 37:27–28 Caring for other citizens of God’s kingdom demonstrates and perpetuates our fellowship with God. One of the ways Jesus paraphrases this promise is this: “Those who give you a … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About Having Fellowship With God
The psalmist said, “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God” (Psalm 42:1). He was a shepherd, who had often seen deer panting for a satisfying drink from a stream’s pure waters. This was the best illustration he could think of to describe the intense longing that he … Continue reading
Courage #7—Courageous Humility
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6–7 Here’s the trouble: hanging on to our anxiety feeds our sense of self-sufficiency and our commitment to self-exaltation. Since pride actually goes before … Continue reading
Facets of Salvation #4—Community
What we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3 We are no longer alone! If we are being saved as we follow Jesus in the obedience of … 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
Goodness #1—Goodness in Groups
As children we learned the prayer: “God is great and God is good.” As adults we would be wise not to forget this fundamental truth, especially in a time when goodness is difficult to perceive in the world around us. When Moses asked to see the glory of God, God promised to let all his … Continue reading
Team #8—Praise for the Team
There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 1 Corinthians 14:4–6 Together everyone accomplished more. Together you create and sustain all that is not God. Together … Continue reading
Transformation #7—Specialized Transformation
To each one of us Christ graciously gave a gift … for the equipping of the saints for the work of service: the building up of the body of Christ; until we all reach the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God. Ephesians 4:7–13 We all began as babies; but today … Continue reading
Behind the Scenes #6—Godly DNA
Just as the body is a unit with many members … so too is Christ … God has placed each of us in the fellowship just as he desired … God has engineered the body so that by giving greater honor to the lesser member there will be no division in the body, but that … Continue reading
Promises for the Battle 