Colossians 3:15, Let the peace of God rule in your hearts. “Let” implies that if we do not stop something, it will occur automatically. To “rule” means to “umpire” or to make judgment on whether something is according to the rules. Paul is telling us to let the peace of God make the decisions about […]
Philippians 4:4, Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! This verse sounds like a command, because it is. God wants us to be joyful. Living in joy is a choice. It is allowing God to do His work in our hearts. It is the natural outworking of the Holy Spirit in us
Why Not Choose Joy? Read More »
There are several words for “hope” in the Old Testament. One of the root words for hope is “kaw-vaw.” It is usually translated as “wait.” “Hope” is a nice word. “Wait” is not, especially in western society. For us, it seems life should be done at great speed and everything done with maximum gain in
Hope: The Quiet Expectation of Good Things Read More »
Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” To say “I hope so” means you strongly desire a particular event to happen. This is very different from the biblical definition of hope. The biblical definition could
Hope: Confidence in God’s Best Read More »
Romans 8:38-39; “Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Colossians 3:12-13 describe some of the Christian attributes
Living in the Perfect Love Read More »
Who could possibly be big enough to thwart God and His love toward us? People, demons, the devil himself? Not a chance. But, do we really believe we are continual recipients of God’s love? Here is how we can tell. When we act unloving to anybody (even our enemies), it is because we feel unloved.
Who Shall Separate Us from God’s Love? Read More »
God is so good that He protects us in the face of attack. Romans 8:33 “Who can bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies.” God is perfect in judgment and he declares us guilt-free! Who could go to God and say, “Even though you have declared someone righteous, I find fault
Who Can Condemn Us? Read More »
Romans 8:29 states that God has predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son. God has a lofty goal for us. Do we walk like, talk like, act like Jesus? It would be glorious to walk in that power of God. We need to be conformed to that image.How is clay formed
Destined to be Conformed Read More »
One of our favorite verses is Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” NASB. (emphasis mine) Paul must be speaking in faith in this verse where he says, “we know”. Because we do not “know”.
All Things are Good? Read More »
Who do you know that is a great person? We can name people in the past like Abraham Lincoln, the Apostle Paul, Sir Isaac Newton. Who do we know personally to be a great person? I have a pastor friend that I consider a great person. I admire this man and his wife greatly. Their kindness, sensitivity, spiritual insight,
