Posts with the category “discipleship”

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night (Psalm 1:2).Meditation means "to think deeply and continuously about something." For a Christian, this means remaining in the presence of God and pondering each truth He reveals about Himself until it becomes real and personal in your life. This takes time. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that certain peopl...  Read More

Then the lord said to Noah, "Come into the ark, you and all your household,because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation" (Genesis 7:1)The children of Noah faced a significant decision. They lived in a world (much like our world today) where everyone blatantly disregarded God. Wickedness was the norm. No one would have condemned Noah's sons for living evil lives like the ...  Read More

The highest privilege of the Christian life is our adoption as children into God's eternal family through God's natural Son, Jesus. Romans 8:15-16 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.There are no favorites ...  Read More

It is by faith in Jesus Christ alone that we are declared right (justified) before God.  God's gift of faith is the recognition of our utter moral bankruptcy and our inability to earn God's favor and that we must receiver and rest on Jesus Christ who has done it all. Romans 3:21-31 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,...  Read More

Isaiah 53:4-6 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But ...  Read More

A Tool That Builds Tools is Go'’s Purpose for Your Church.Depending on your job or what you are trying to accomplish, most of us need tools to get the job done.As a nurse, I fill my pockets each morning with the tools I'll need throughout the day:  pens, sticky note pads, pen light, scissors, keys, etc.  When I worked in a different type of nursing position, my pockets were filled with somewhat di...  Read More

The Message of Christ takes a glorious turn from mankind's inability to reflect the image of God with the offer of unconditional love.  The Bible is the love story of God’s revelation of Himself in pursuit of wayward humanity.  This pursuit reaches its climax with the gift of God the Son, Jesus Christ. Luke 15:11-24 A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the sh...  Read More

My girls will roll their eyes when they hear me say “Be a helper, not a hinderer” {I’m not sure if this is even a word}.  This phrase is one I’ve used for years.  Somehow, I can usually tie this saying into whatever situation we are discussing.  It just seems to apply to almost any issue…at least it does in my mind. The common definitions for these words are: Helper:  a person who helps someone el...  Read More

My grandmother gave me a beautiful marble table after Mrs. Kim and I married.  It was around four feet in diameter with a solid cherry stand.  This table was in her home all my life.  I knew it was valuable but there was also a deeper worth to me because it belong to her. Fast-forward 10 years to life with kids.  During a birthday party, Robert Connor decided that the table would be a good sitting...  Read More

German philosopher Immanuel Kant loved to take long walks on summer evenings to mediate and think.  On one occasion he was sitting in a park when a policeman notice that he had been there for several hours.  The police man asked, "What are you doing?"  Kant answer, "I am thinking."  The Police man said, "Well who are you?"  Kant replied, "That is precisely the problem I have been thinking about." ...  Read More

Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is One!(Deuteronomy 6:4)It was a radical message.  Most of the world was polytheistic when God deliver this truth to Moses.  They worshiped many gods.  Mankind has always understood the complicity of the world.  Seeing the stars, trees, water, and so many other wonderful creations guided men and women to see many gods over these many beauties.Then God ...  Read More

What activity defines the primary purpose of God’s Church?We do a lot of stuff.  Bible study, prayer, service, fellowship, outreach, and other aspects of submission are weekly expressions of our life with God.  I am so excited that Project 413 is beginning.  The early closure of school in the spring hurt my soul.  I have spent months missing the flood of young feet calmly walking through the halls...  Read More

Baptist Churches are known for their fellowship meals.  As a young boy, I loved to hear the announcement that the church would have fellowship.  My mind rushed to images of fried chicken, fresh vegetables, and fabulous desserts.The Bible gives us a much deeper meaning to this theme.  The Apostle John wrote…What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship wit...  Read More

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 4: 19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.Some of the best leaders this country has ever had came out of the United States military.President Dwight D Eisenhower said, "Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it."  When I served in the Army / National Guard, we lived by the Army V...  Read More

Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living...  Read More

Romans 12: 1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Paula and I had the privilege of raising two wonderful sons. Throughout their growing up years, I tried to instill in them that what they put in their mind would corrupt their heart if they were not careful. In other word...  Read More

I need a constant reminder of God’s grace and joy.  This world is hard.  Life is hard.  We often find ourselves disheartened with burdens and bad news.  Nothing has helped me overcome the constant worries and anxieties more than prayer.We are called to a life of praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:15).  Every moment of every day can be seized for a conversation with God.  These moments are ...  Read More

I have enjoyed a little parental satisfaction as my daughter has grown up and left our home.  Parents have a few years to teach and guide their children.  Your kids are a captive audience during these years.  As adults your words become suggestions and not law.There is a temptation to view God’s Bible in the same manner.  Our society is based on moral decisions.  The real test for each person is o...  Read More

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).Lions attack sick young or straggling animals; they choose victims who are alone or not alert.  Satan is the lion looking for someone to devour. Peter warns us to watch out for Satan when we are suffering, weak or vulnerable. When we are feeling alone, weak or helpless...  Read More