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Not growing spiritually can put us in danger of falling away. There is a cliche that goes, "I have fought to a standstill, and I'm still standing still!!. With a Christian, there is always some type of "fight'. If we are truly struggling in God's will and calling for us, we will not stand still, although the pace may seem to suggest to us that we are just "standing still". Whatever time God gives us, He will use to allow us keep moving for Him, no matter where we are. There are two dangers inherent in standing still spiritually. One, the obvious, is that we are…  ( Click for more )

There are many ways we relate to Him, and also many ways He relates to us. We relate to Him within these ways. Jesus wears many "titles" as He relates in multiple ways to each of us. He has many crowns and diadems of rulership and service. On our behalf He is: Savior - King - Employer - Brother - Friend - Counselor - Judge - Confidant - Leader - Director - Manager - Provider - Intercessor - Defender, and Comforter through the Holy Spirit. It is no wonder that He has been given authority over all things - in heaven and in the earth! (Matthew 28:18) Don't miss out on many…  ( Click for more )

"Have I told you lately that I love you? Could I tell you once again somehow?" This is title line and part of the lyrics of a romantic melody that was extremely popular in the "50's. What could you honestly say to Jesus if he asked the same question of you that He asked Peter? Intriguing and touching is the section of scripture that closes the book of John. It is also soul searching. Fill in your name "______ do you love Me?" (John 21:15-17) The directness of our Lord is almost stunning. It apparently at least became so, as Peter attempted to satisfy…  ( Click for more )

There is a great reward waiting for you! If you had been notified that you had won the lottery, would you be excited, overcome with joy and anticipation, and anxious to receive it? Of course. Anyone would be. If you belong to Jesus Christ, there is something laid up for you, and waiting for you that pales into complete insignificance anything you can imagine. It is God's good pleasure to give it to you. This reward will be given to you not on the basis of your good deeds (although there are also rewards or "wages" you can receive also...), but will be given to you on…  ( Click for more )

Sometimes life does not "make sense", especially for those who belong to Christ. Perhaps you should read those words again.

Everyone wants their life to "make sense". It is simply human to expect it, or at least to endeavor to make it make sense. For the Christian this is often so because Christ is taking us around curves, twists, dead ends, surprises and shocks, and the unexpected. It all began when the children of Israel left Egypt. It continues for the people of God to this day. Those who do not feel that their life does make sense, or that it will soon…  ( Click for more )

Many today agree with the gospel.They see nothing particularly bad about it. But, as someone recently told me, they just never considered it to be for them. Some even explain their indecision as truly wanting to believe.Their admission that they agree with it tends to confirm their calling, and that they are enabled to receive saving faith. The Father may be drawing them to Christ, but they sense that it may cost more than are they are willing to pay, whatever that may be. Because of many issues in their life, they will not decide to believe. They are among the many that the Father…  ( Click for more )

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." - 2 Timothy 3

It is exceedingly easy and convenient in our world to create a form of religious beliefs that fit the individual. It sometimes comes very close to creating God in the image of self. During a vigorous discussion.one said to me, "it's just a matter of belief...", the implication being that everyone has a different take about any religious issue. This person had formed - from various experiences, with both Christian and non-Christian sources - a belief system.…  ( Click for more )

Many today agree with the gospel.They see nothing particularly bad about it. But, as someone recently told me, they just never considered it to be for them. Some even explain their indecision as truly wanting to believe.Their admission that they agree with it tends to confirm their calling, and that they are enabled to receive saving faith. The Father may be drawing them to Christ, but they sense that it may cost more than are they are willing to pay, whatever that may be. Because of many issues in their life, they will not decide to believe. They are among the many that the Father…  ( Click for more )

"What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of [earthborn] man that You care for him?" (Psalm 8:4). The Psalmist asked this question of God long ago. Man is still striving to answer it. But it is certainly a valid question. It is vitally important for us to know both what and who we are. Fleshly man is generally interested in the answer to "what" he is. In general, the question of who is ignored; or is left to the religionists. We have one place only to go. The Bible. Notice the New Testament: "It has been solemnly and earnestly said in a certain…  ( Click for more )

As Christians we all must live and move, exist and act, in the righteous of Jesus Christ. Why? Because we have no righteousness.of our own. Without His righteousness, we would all be dead, perhaps dead physically except for His mercy in accordance with His plan. Our spirit would be destined for eternal death because of the sin principle in us. Several years ago I entitled this column as I did when I realized that without Christ living His life in us, we are all doomed to death. The first article of the column was entitled "Whole Council Of God". Last week was the firth…  ( Click for more )

"Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you." - Matthew 7:1-2 (AMP) Everyone with whom we come into contact, we physically see. But those of us who belong to Christ must also see the unseen while we are seeing what is visible and discernable with our five senses. Otherwise, we can be trapped…  ( Click for more )

Cynicism is the enemy of accepting the grace of God through Christ. It seems just too good to be true. Many who hear the Gospel in a way that implies that just making a statement of belief in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior is all that is required to make them true Christians will not respond. "you can't get something for nothing", they believe. They are not living in that kind of world. That kind of gospel turns them off. Why can't they believe? Belief cannot come until there is acceptance of the cost. Before acceptance of the cost, one must know what the cost is.…  ( Click for more )

We are living in a time not too different from what was occurring in Greece during the Apostle Paul's journeys. Worldly philosophies can become a religion created into a private "God", a pseudo Christianity. They also present a counterfeit spiritualism, a subtle mix of logic and practical way of dealing with life problems and circumstances. It refers to the "spiritual" often, falsely leaving the impression that since the ideas are spiritual, they can be trusted to solve the individual's emotional and psychological conflicts and problems. All is an attempt to…  ( Click for more )

Prior to Jesus' crucifixion and ascension to the Father's right hand, he told the disciples to ask anything of Him and He would grant it. John emphasized His promise. (John 14:13) The whole issue resolves around relationship - of oneness with Him, on a level very few have experienced or known. It is a very simple reason for many answered prayers. If you at some time casually meet someone, could you expect to receive from this person ANYTHING you asked? Having just met this person, or someone that you do not know very well, would it not be presumptuous to them for you to ask having…  ( Click for more )

Is there such a thing as being - or attempting to be - too "righteous"? Isn't it easier to conceive of being to wicked in some way, than it is to accept anything as being overly righteous. How could anyone be too righteous? Isn't that an impossibility? God is as righteous as is possible. And we realize from many scriptures in the Word of God that we are to grow up into a new creation expressing righteousness. So how could Solomon write these words: "Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ? Be not over much wicked,…  ( Click for more )

There is a great mystery in the body of Christ. How can there be individualism and conformity at the same time - diversity in the midst of uniformity? The Apostle Paul states: "I THEREFORE, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God's service, Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love…  ( Click for more )

Would God ever want a loser in His Kingdom? Would Jesus ever want a loser in His Church? Would you ever want a loser for a brother, friend, neighbor, or even an acquaintance? Most people, regardless of their status and position in life, would not want to consider themselves as losers. Someone else might consider them a loser or a winner. Some might not consider themselves winners per se, but probably never an out and out loser. If you are Christ's, if you are in Him, and He is in you, you are a bonified member of an exclusive fraternity. But you have all been members of the loser…  ( Click for more )

Many years ago when I read the scripture containing this statement (Psalm 103:1-4), I had great expectations regarding this statement. I knew many who really needed immediate healing of their diseases, but were not being healed, at least very quickly. Eventually I realized to whom this statement was made. Then I began to understand why so many were not receiving the kind of healing they desired. Many believed in miraculous, instantaneous, divine healing, but were not seeing it. Paul healed, by the power and authority of Christ. Jesus certainly healed many. Paul also was not healed…  ( Click for more )

Some live their lives as though they really CAN take it with them - whatever they really want to take with them when they die. Perhaps their philosophy is like a well known comedian who said he was not taking the chance of not being able to take it with him; he was sending his on ahead of him. This nearly always gets a laugh. Why? Because they "know" no one can do that. Not many believe (I hope) that's possible with material things. Some believe that they can do neither one. When its over, it over. They can "only go around once". But what if they are wrong?

What…  ( Click for more )

Do you find it difficult to love the unlovable? Is it difficult to love the difficult? In a conversation with a dear friend a few years ago, the subject of workplace environment came up. This person had worked for a very large corporation for many years, had one boss, and generally the same companion workers for many years. We were lamenting the almost war-like environment that exists in many work places today. My friend was appalled when I described some of the true accounts that I was familiar with at the time. It was beyond my friend's comphension that such conditions could exist.…  ( Click for more )

There is an almost universal opinion about God, although the word "God" is seldomn heard except as a expletive. Very few, relatively speaking, would blatantly assert that there is no God. Whatever concept they may have about God, most believe a God exists. Therefore, many are convinced that they are OK - as far as the hereafter is concerned. Therefore, they go about their lives very much like those who believe there is no God. The Word of God witnesses against them in a very straight forward way by saying, "The fool has said in his heart 'there is no God'" (Psalm…  ( Click for more )

"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy." - 1 Timothy 6:17

If you sat down and made a list of the things you enjoy most, how long would it be? Would you consider it a short list or a very long list?

The Bible has some surprising things to say about enjoyment. Actually, it is shocking what the Bible has to say about what we can enjoy. And it could be diametrically opposite to what we have always assumed. In the verse above, It was not…  ( Click for more )

The absence of Barnabas from history after he and Paul separated has posed many questions that seem unanswerable in any satisfactory way. Did he continue to minister in Cyprus with Mark? Did he die or meet some other untimely death? (Acts 15:36-39}. The sharpness of their disagreement and the long term result is unique in all the New Testament after the Gospels. Could this event in the life of Barnabas be related in some way to the Book Of Hebrews? Mark had returned apparently from Cyprus some time later, and was finally accepted by Paul as a helper in his ministry. Perhaps the…  ( Click for more )

What do you think when you hear the words "Holy Spirit"? Do you instantly envision some kind of firey shapes resembling tongues coming down upon those on the Day of Pentecost? Or, do you imagine an invisible power of some kind moving in invisible ways among the people of God and the world?

All of this would be valid thoughts and impressions. However, there is so much more to the Holy Spirit than we can hardly imagine.

Prior to the Father sending His Son into this world to redeem mankind back to Himself, God's activities in the world were mostly manifested through…  ( Click for more )