Category Archives: Thorny Topics
Loss of a Loved One
We must never think that God treats the death of one of His own casually.
Sanctification Secures Supplication
God does not give us the desires of our un-yielded hearts!… [but] we can discover the truth of God’s tender mercies if we will FIRST delight ourselves in Him.
Sanctification Secures Supplication
God does not give us the desires of our un-yielded hearts!… [but] we can discover the truth of God’s tender mercies if we will FIRST delight ourselves in Him.
Prayer: Public vs. Private
If our public praying brings attention to ourselves (our superiority) rather than to God (His mercy and grace), then we have a problem…
Prayer: Public vs. Private
If our public praying brings attention to ourselves (our superiority) rather than to God (His mercy and grace), then we have a problem…
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.
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.
Suffering: The Forgotten Gift
…the Believer who is completing his course of suffering for Christ’s sake is completing the process of ceasing from sin. In other words, suffering for Christ’s sake transforms the Believer from sin-FULL to sin-LESS; suffering for Christ’s sake perfects Believers.
Suffering: The Forgotten Gift
…the Believer who is completing his course of suffering for Christ’s sake is completing the process of ceasing from sin. In other words, suffering for Christ’s sake transforms the Believer from sin-FULL to sin-LESS; suffering for Christ’s sake perfects Believers.
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.
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.
Elijah and the Captains of Fifty | The Good, The Bad and the Uh… Seriously??
If we humble ourselves to God, we will enjoy success (as God defines it) in this earthly life and in eternity; and we will avoid the fires of judgment. Don’t force God to show you who is King: serve Him and be fireproof; challenge Him and you will get fire proof.
Elijah and the Captains of Fifty | The Good, The Bad and the Uh… Seriously??
If we humble ourselves to God, we will enjoy success (as God defines it) in this earthly life and in eternity; and we will avoid the fires of judgment. Don’t force God to show you who is King: serve Him and be fireproof; challenge Him and you will get fire proof.
Encounters with Jesus: The Rich Young Ruler.
Is Salvation valuable enough to give up everything to get it?… For Salvation to come to our lives, it must displace everything from our lives… If Salvation means ANYTHING to us, it must be EVERYTHING to us. How much are you willing to lose just to get Salvation? How much is too much to lose to get Salvation?
Encounters with Jesus: The Rich Young Ruler.
Is Salvation valuable enough to give up everything to get it?… For Salvation to come to our lives, it must displace everything from our lives… If Salvation means ANYTHING to us, it must be EVERYTHING to us. How much are you willing to lose just to get Salvation? How much is too much to lose to get Salvation?
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 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.
Anger Management
…Anger management takes practice and deliberate effort. However, we should always remember that God is on OUR side. As we develop the habit of constantly communicating with Him, as we practice seeking His will in everything, as we learn to live within His hedge of protection, we will gradually learn how to draw strength from Him when we are sorely aggravated. We CAN win the battle…
Anger Management
…Anger management takes practice and deliberate effort. However, we should always remember that God is on OUR side. As we develop the habit of constantly communicating with Him, as we practice seeking His will in everything, as we learn to live within His hedge of protection, we will gradually learn how to draw strength from Him when we are sorely aggravated. We CAN win the battle…
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?
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?
Encounters with Jesus: The Rich Young Ruler
Is Salvation valuable enough to give up everything to get it?… For Salvation to come to our lives, it must displace everything from our lives… If Salvation means ANYTHING to us, it must be EVERYTHING to us. How much are you willing to lose just to get Salvation? How much is too much to lose to get Salvation?
Encounters with Jesus: The Rich Young Ruler
Is Salvation valuable enough to give up everything to get it?… For Salvation to come to our lives, it must displace everything from our lives… If Salvation means ANYTHING to us, it must be EVERYTHING to us. How much are you willing to lose just to get Salvation? How much is too much to lose to get Salvation?
Sin Doesn’t Come in Sizes
It is the combination of God’s mercy, as He patiently works with us, and His Word, as it transforms our mindset, which ultimately breaks the power of sin over our lives…If God has started the transformation process in us, He won’t stop working (even if He has to use with trials to get it done). God won’t quit on you… so don’t quit on yourself!!!
Sin Doesn’t Come in Sizes
It is the combination of God’s mercy, as He patiently works with us, and His Word, as it transforms our mindset, which ultimately breaks the power of sin over our lives…If God has started the transformation process in us, He won’t stop working (even if He has to use with trials to get it done). God won’t quit on you… so don’t quit on yourself!!!
Trials Teach True Tenderness
Without troubles, we easily wander away from God and slip into the illusion of self-sufficiency. But the difficulties of life sharpen our focus on God and heighten our sensitivity to His loving touch.
Trials Teach True Tenderness
Without troubles, we easily wander away from God and slip into the illusion of self-sufficiency. But the difficulties of life sharpen our focus on God and heighten our sensitivity to His loving touch.
From Victim to Victor
The wronged are challenged to be more concerned about the spiritual state of the wrongdoers than the wrongs done. The mission of the injured is to rescue the injurers.
From Victim to Victor
The wronged are challenged to be more concerned about the spiritual state of the wrongdoers than the wrongs done. The mission of the injured is to rescue the injurers.
Lending to the Lord
It is easy to SPEAK of our belief in God and His goodness. But if we really do believe that He is trustworthy, then why do we find it so hard to give generously to those in need? God says He will repay us, do we believe Him or not?
Lending to the Lord
It is easy to SPEAK of our belief in God and His goodness. But if we really do believe that He is trustworthy, then why do we find it so hard to give generously to those in need? God says He will repay us, do we believe Him or not?
Forgiveness is Conditional
Though God’s love is UNCONDITIONAL, God’s forgiveness is CONDITIONAL. His forgiveness only comes AFTER our confession.
To confess our sins means we see them as God sees them, we see ourselves in the mirror of His Word not the mirror of our pride.
We can’t see our sins until we accept what the Bible says about them, instead of what the world says about them:
We can’t come to God on our own terms!
Forgiveness is Conditional
Though God’s love is UNCONDITIONAL, God’s forgiveness is CONDITIONAL. His forgiveness only comes AFTER our confession.
To confess our sins means we see them as God sees them, we see ourselves in the mirror of His Word not the mirror of our pride.
We can’t see our sins until we accept what the Bible says about them, instead of what the world says about them:
We can’t come to God on our own terms!
Encounters with Jesus: Bad News
It is NOT comfort, ease of life, safety, or even health that separates the righteous from the rebellious. The only thing that separates the saved from the unsaved is REPENTANCE.
Encounters with Jesus: Bad News
It is NOT comfort, ease of life, safety, or even health that separates the righteous from the rebellious. The only thing that separates the saved from the unsaved is REPENTANCE.
Encounters With Jesus: Paying Taxes
The children of God live in the Kingdom of God, therefore, no tax in any kingdom of man can stop/hinder the work of a child of God going about their Father’s business in the Kingdom of God. God the Father had already provided for our earthly needs, so no earthly tax/demand/situation can stop you or me from doing the work of God here on earth.
Encounters With Jesus: Paying Taxes
The children of God live in the Kingdom of God, therefore, no tax in any kingdom of man can stop/hinder the work of a child of God going about their Father’s business in the Kingdom of God. God the Father had already provided for our earthly needs, so no earthly tax/demand/situation can stop you or me from doing the work of God here on earth.
Comment: Fruit Finding vs. Branch Burning
We should judge (inspect fruit) to preserve and protect the church. This is of crucial importance today, because of the plethora of false teachers. We must equip ourselves through study of the Word of God to discern the truth so that we ourselves are not lead astray AND so that we can help others to stay in line with God. We judge (inspect fruit) therefore, not out of self-righteousness, but out of Humility (by using God’s scales not ours) and Love (we bear each other’s burdens).
Comment: Fruit Finding vs. Branch Burning
We should judge (inspect fruit) to preserve and protect the church. This is of crucial importance today, because of the plethora of false teachers. We must equip ourselves through study of the Word of God to discern the truth so that we ourselves are not lead astray AND so that we can help others to stay in line with God. We judge (inspect fruit) therefore, not out of self-righteousness, but out of Humility (by using God’s scales not ours) and Love (we bear each other’s burdens).
