Promises for the Battle
Grace
Team #3—Needed Grace
Do not let any rotten word proceed from your mouth, but only what is good for servicing someone’s need, in order to give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29 Gracious words can flow from the joy of our hearts, through others’ ears, to the joy of their hearts. This is amazing! It’s also daunting. … 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
I Was Just Thinking … About a Good Reason to Rejoice at Easter
Sometimes the answer to the question Why celebrate Jesus’ resurrection? focuses on the forgiveness of our sin. That is a good reason to celebrate. Knowing that God no longer holds our sin against us, because Jesus cleared God’s name of any charge of unjustly doing good to those who deserve punishment, should take a load … Continue reading
Transformation #4—Holy Transformation
Fix your hopes totally on the grace which will be yours when Jesus Christ reappears. As obedient children, do not conform yourselves to what you desired when you were ignorant, but, like the Holy One who called you, you be holy in all your behavior. 1 Peter 1:14–15 Almighty God, who was revealed through the … Continue reading
Success #8—Attributed Success
David said, “When a lion or a bear took a lamb from my flock, I attacked it and rescued the lamb. So, this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them. Yahweh, who delivered me from the lion and the bear, will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:34–37 David was … Continue reading
Success #4—Humble Success
Jesus took a towel … and began to wash the disciples’ feet. … He said to Peter, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with me … I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.” John 13: 4–15 Jesus presents himself as both Teacher and … Continue reading
Refined Integrity
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Eternal tests hearts. Proverbs 17:3 During the holidays, broken airplanes, cancellations because of weather, miscommunications about rides to the hotel, and snoring roommates are not just annoying incidents in our daily lives. They are opportunities for us to inventory the stock of … Continue reading
Forgiveness #3—A Bigger Picture
You meant harm against me; God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones. Genesis 50:19–21 Joseph’s ability to see beyond the immediate cause of his misadventures years before, enabled him … 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 Grace in Action
When the Apostle Paul described the synergy undergirding his ministry he said, “God’s grace toward me has not been in vain. I worked harder than anyone; nevertheless, it was not I, but the grace of God that was working with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10). As my wife and I talked with our children during the … Continue reading
Promises for the Battle 