Category Archives: Commentary

“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.” ~ C.S. Lewis

“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.” ~ C.S. Lewis

keep silence

Prayers & Promises

Jesus did not give us a ‘blank check’; He only promised to deliver requests made in “His name”.

keep silence

Prayers & Promises

Jesus did not give us a ‘blank check’; He only promised to deliver requests made in “His name”.

passport_cropped

Whose Ambassador are You?

Believers must never allow the affairs of earth to distract us from our purpose here, which is attending to the interests and affairs of God as they pertain to this world.

passport_cropped

Whose Ambassador are You?

Believers must never allow the affairs of earth to distract us from our purpose here, which is attending to the interests and affairs of God as they pertain to this world.

father and son in way to church

The Father’s Good Gift

As Jesus sent His disciples out into a world that would be hostile to them, that would imprison them and beat them and kill them, what they needed to succeed wasn’t a new car, or perfect teeth or a retirement plan. What they needed to live successfully (as God defines it) was The Comforter.

father and son in way to church

The Father’s Good Gift

As Jesus sent His disciples out into a world that would be hostile to them, that would imprison them and beat them and kill them, what they needed to succeed wasn’t a new car, or perfect teeth or a retirement plan. What they needed to live successfully (as God defines it) was The Comforter.

calendar+glasses_cropped

Jesus’ Return: Responsibility, Righteousness and Reality

Recently, there was yet another controversy about the time of Jesus’ return. Sadly, many people were misled into thinking that May 21, 2011 would be that date and were deeply disappointed and confused when they found out they were misinformed. It is easy, and quite tempting, to be dismissive of these forlorn followers, but empathy and reflection are far better responses.

calendar+glasses_cropped

Jesus’ Return: Responsibility, Righteousness and Reality

Recently, there was yet another controversy about the time of Jesus’ return. Sadly, many people were misled into thinking that May 21, 2011 would be that date and were deeply disappointed and confused when they found out they were misinformed. It is easy, and quite tempting, to be dismissive of these forlorn followers, but empathy and reflection are far better responses.

Escape

Three Steps to Freedom

A Believer becomes new creation at the point of salvation, but that new man does not automatically have control over the old, but still present, sin-nature. Sanctification is the process of putting to death that old sin nature so that Christ can reign in us… a Believer with God’s Word incorporated his/her heart is Word-driven and Spiritually centered, free from the power of sin.

Escape

Three Steps to Freedom

A Believer becomes new creation at the point of salvation, but that new man does not automatically have control over the old, but still present, sin-nature. Sanctification is the process of putting to death that old sin nature so that Christ can reign in us… a Believer with God’s Word incorporated his/her heart is Word-driven and Spiritually centered, free from the power of sin.

red yarn-1

Clothe Your Children in Scarlet

We often miss our most important responsibility to our children: cultivating the soil of their heart… and planting the seed of God’s Word in it.
Wisdom for living is ONLY found in the WORD of God and only the Holy Spirit can guide us through life. So, let us “clothe” our children in the scarlet Blood of Jesus Christ so that they will be prepared for the harshest winters of life.

red yarn-1

Clothe Your Children in Scarlet

We often miss our most important responsibility to our children: cultivating the soil of their heart… and planting the seed of God’s Word in it.
Wisdom for living is ONLY found in the WORD of God and only the Holy Spirit can guide us through life. So, let us “clothe” our children in the scarlet Blood of Jesus Christ so that they will be prepared for the harshest winters of life.

Farmer's Paradise

Payback!

Whatever the suffering we might be experiencing as a consequence for following our own way instead of God’s way, the promise of God still extends to us: If we will recommit our lives to Him; if we will serve Him; if we will do things His way; if we will look at life through His eyes; then God promises to restore the years we have lost: “the years that the locust hath eaten”.

Farmer's Paradise

Payback!

Whatever the suffering we might be experiencing as a consequence for following our own way instead of God’s way, the promise of God still extends to us: If we will recommit our lives to Him; if we will serve Him; if we will do things His way; if we will look at life through His eyes; then God promises to restore the years we have lost: “the years that the locust hath eaten”.

Bee on Daisy

Faithfulness: Foremost for Followers

It is our faithful obedience to God, in the face of monotony and/or adversity, that reveals the true condition of our character.

Bee on Daisy

Faithfulness: Foremost for Followers

It is our faithful obedience to God, in the face of monotony and/or adversity, that reveals the true condition of our character.

wheat

Elisha and The Feeding of the Hundred, Part 1: The Overcomer

If we determine to honor God with our lives, regardless of the obstacles and setbacks we face, then… the testimony of our lives will be more than enough: “They shall eat, and shall leave thereof”.

wheat

Elisha and The Feeding of the Hundred, Part 1: The Overcomer

If we determine to honor God with our lives, regardless of the obstacles and setbacks we face, then… the testimony of our lives will be more than enough: “They shall eat, and shall leave thereof”.

daisy white-1

SAVED, SANCTIFIED and SINGLE: When God’s Plan Excludes Marriage

I was never going to get married. No amount of wanting it on my end would make it happen, no amount of trying could undo this truth. I was simply not ever going to get married.

daisy white-1

SAVED, SANCTIFIED and SINGLE: When God’s Plan Excludes Marriage

I was never going to get married. No amount of wanting it on my end would make it happen, no amount of trying could undo this truth. I was simply not ever going to get married.

Alpha and Omega

Remember The NAME

…We must never put our trust in the strength or abilities of people/things. Like David, all believers must “remember the name of the Lord our God” and put our trust in Him.

Alpha and Omega

Remember The NAME

…We must never put our trust in the strength or abilities of people/things. Like David, all believers must “remember the name of the Lord our God” and put our trust in Him.

doccia

The Word is for Washing

If we indeed intend to heed God’s call to service, let us then commit ourselves to sanctification: to being washed by His Word. Let us determine to study God’s Word that He might set us apart unto Himself, for His use ONLY.

doccia

The Word is for Washing

If we indeed intend to heed God’s call to service, let us then commit ourselves to sanctification: to being washed by His Word. Let us determine to study God’s Word that He might set us apart unto Himself, for His use ONLY.

log in water

Branch Treatment: Turning Water from Bitter to Sweet

As we seek to make daily life decisions the key question is NOT, “Is this solution good for me?” The key question is, “Is Jesus in it?” In other words, instead of seeking “a solution”, we seek Jesus for He alone has the RIGHT solution.

log in water

Branch Treatment: Turning Water from Bitter to Sweet

As we seek to make daily life decisions the key question is NOT, “Is this solution good for me?” The key question is, “Is Jesus in it?” In other words, instead of seeking “a solution”, we seek Jesus for He alone has the RIGHT solution.

red yarn-1

Clothe your Children in Scarlet.

We often miss our most important responsibility to our children: cultivating the soil of their heart… and planting the seed of God’s Word in it.
Wisdom for living is ONLY found in the WORD of God and only the Holy Spirit can guide us through life. So, let us “clothe” our children in the scarlet Blood of Jesus Christ so that they will be prepared for the harshest winters of life.

red yarn-1

Clothe your Children in Scarlet.

We often miss our most important responsibility to our children: cultivating the soil of their heart… and planting the seed of God’s Word in it.
Wisdom for living is ONLY found in the WORD of God and only the Holy Spirit can guide us through life. So, let us “clothe” our children in the scarlet Blood of Jesus Christ so that they will be prepared for the harshest winters of life.

one way sign

One Bible = One Belief: The Dilemma of Biblical Authenticity

Salvation requires faith in the true God: the God described by the Authentic Scripture: The Bible. If we do not believe in the God of the Scripture, then we are not saved by the God of the Scripture. Every god defines his/her/its own terms of salvation. The God of the pure unabridged Scriptures defines His terms too. If we do not like His salvation plan, we are free to construct our own god from the parts of the scripture we find convenient to our lifestyle and philosophy. But, make no mistake, that god is NOT the God of the Bible.

one way sign

One Bible = One Belief: The Dilemma of Biblical Authenticity

Salvation requires faith in the true God: the God described by the Authentic Scripture: The Bible. If we do not believe in the God of the Scripture, then we are not saved by the God of the Scripture. Every god defines his/her/its own terms of salvation. The God of the pure unabridged Scriptures defines His terms too. If we do not like His salvation plan, we are free to construct our own god from the parts of the scripture we find convenient to our lifestyle and philosophy. But, make no mistake, that god is NOT the God of the Bible.

masques les uns à côté des autres.

Get your IN-Right to be Downright Upright

It is quite revealing to compare how much time, effort and money we spend on our outward appearance versus our heart (inward appearance). Think of how much is spent each day on preparing clothes, hair, skin, diet and physique. So much time, so much effort, so much money spent just to look good enough for those around us. How does it compare to the time and effort spent in preparing our hearts for God?

masques les uns à côté des autres.

Get your IN-Right to be Downright Upright

It is quite revealing to compare how much time, effort and money we spend on our outward appearance versus our heart (inward appearance). Think of how much is spent each day on preparing clothes, hair, skin, diet and physique. So much time, so much effort, so much money spent just to look good enough for those around us. How does it compare to the time and effort spent in preparing our hearts for God?

"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2)

True Love

Agape IS “I love you because you are you, because you are God’s creation, made in His image… and that is sufficient for my love”
Agape IS “I will be your friend… and my friendship is free. If there is any price to pay… I will pay it”
Agape IS “God loving you through me”

"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2)

True Love

Agape IS “I love you because you are you, because you are God’s creation, made in His image… and that is sufficient for my love”
Agape IS “I will be your friend… and my friendship is free. If there is any price to pay… I will pay it”
Agape IS “God loving you through me”

"That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:45)

History has no Slaves

Though we can, and often do, suffer (poverty, war, alienation) for the sins of our ancestors, we are JUDGED for our own sins. We are not slaves to our History. We can make our own choices and we can choose righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ.

"That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:45)

History has no Slaves

Though we can, and often do, suffer (poverty, war, alienation) for the sins of our ancestors, we are JUDGED for our own sins. We are not slaves to our History. We can make our own choices and we can choose righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ.

"But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ." (Ephesians 4:7)

Measuring Up.

To measure up, we must exercise all the faith God has given us. If you have been given the faith to move mountains, then move them around… If you have the faith to sweep the church, don’t settle for sweeping a pew. If you have the faith to witness to many, don’t settle for telling a few… God expects us to… attain our full faith potential.

"But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ." (Ephesians 4:7)

Measuring Up.

To measure up, we must exercise all the faith God has given us. If you have been given the faith to move mountains, then move them around… If you have the faith to sweep the church, don’t settle for sweeping a pew. If you have the faith to witness to many, don’t settle for telling a few… God expects us to… attain our full faith potential.

“But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.” ~Habakkuk 2:20

Immortal, Invisible, God ONLY Wise

God’s wisdom and knowledge are infinite; the decisions of Almighty God cannot be rationalized by mere man. Who knows enough to argue with God? Who is wise enough to give God counsel?

“But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.” ~Habakkuk 2:20

Immortal, Invisible, God ONLY Wise

God’s wisdom and knowledge are infinite; the decisions of Almighty God cannot be rationalized by mere man. Who knows enough to argue with God? Who is wise enough to give God counsel?

"And I will... refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God." (Zechariah 13:9)

Melting Points and Acid Tests

We keep fighting temptation, because intensely hot and intensively corrosive environments are necessary to produce true diamonds and true saints.

"And I will... refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God." (Zechariah 13:9)

Melting Points and Acid Tests

We keep fighting temptation, because intensely hot and intensively corrosive environments are necessary to produce true diamonds and true saints.