When things are not as they seem, it’s easy to jump to the wrong conclusions and make mistakes. Believe me, I’ve made my fair share of them! At first glance, our discernment of a situation may not be the most accurate. We need to give it time. To dig deeper into the meaning of things.
Read MoreNothing deepens our walk with Christ like suffering does. That’s not a comforting thought, I know, but it’s true for all of us. Even Christ. We gain spiritual substance through suffering. Our tests and trials purify us. The Apostle Paul described it as ‘gold being refined by fire.” (I Pet. 1:6-7) Depending on how we respond to trials, our faith will either blaze or smolder.
Read MoreDo you know that you are God’s treasure, and He comes searching for you? If not, it’s time you do. This is what makes Christianity different from any other religion. E. Stanley Jones said it this way: “Religion is man’s search upward for God, and the Gospel is God’s search downward for man.” Please grasp this: we don’t find God, He finds us. If our enemy can convince you otherwise, then you’re already defeated spiritually, striving throughout life in your own strength.
Read MoreOne thing we know about God: He is not boring! From rainbows and flowers to landscapes and thumbprints, God’s heart for creativity is undeniable. Open wide your eyes. Look around you. His glory is displayed everywhere. Just imagine on that Day when all the nations march into the New Jerusalem. It will be a much grander parade than we’ve seen at the Olympics. Kings and nations will shine in their own splendor, revealing Jesus as their Messiah. (Rev. 21:22-26) There is no wonder, then, why the enemy seeks to strip us and our cultures of all God-given uniqueness and beauty.
Read MoreLet’s face it. Yes and no answers might be hard to swallow at times, but at least they’re answers. What’s worse is when there’s no answer, no explanation, no reasoning, and you’re left with seemingly nothing. Would you agree? Mystery can leave us wondering and wandering. This is when spiritual warfare can come into play.
Read MoreMaybe you’re surrounded by contradictory messages and feel like throwing your hands up. I know the feeling. Oftentimes spiritual battles are over wisdom. In James 3, this type of battlefront is revealed. There are two kinds of wisdom — one that’s heavenly, the other that’s worldly — and each comes from a different source. While heavenly wisdom produces the Kingdom of God in our midst, earthly, unspiritual and demonic wisdom opposes it. It’s important that we can discern between the two.
Read MoreEver gathered with others thinking it was for one reason, only to discover it was really for another? I have. One quick way to discern the origin of a spiritual battle is to ask, “Who is receiving the glory or praise?” God or mankind? It’s good to assess the motive behind our gatherings.
Read MoreIf humility is what keeps us from missing God, then pride is what keeps us from seeing Him. Are you seeing God? If not, look deep inside. Sin itself is a part of our spiritual battle, as God ‘opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble.’ (James 4:6) Knowingly or unknowingly, through pride we give the devil access and hinder the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Read More“Mr. Frodo, I wonder what kind of tale we have fallen into?” Frodo’s traveling companion, young Sam, in The Lord of the Rings Series asked an important question. Can you relate? I’ve walked into rooms or cities and instantly felt a shift – a darkness and heaviness and knew something was taking place spiritually that wasn’t good.
Read MoreThe Last will be first is one of those many counterintuitive statements about the Kingdom of God, just like the greatest leader among you is the servant. God’s invitation to His end-time Kingdom Feast is secured for all nations through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. A place at the table has been prepared for everyone who understands this Good News and chooses to come to His great banquet. (Luke 14:16-24)
Read MoreIn God’s Kingdom, there is only one King but many followers. These followers are both Jew and Gentile from all the nations. Perhaps one of the best definitions of the church is given to us by Howard A. Synder from his book The Community of the King. He said we are most rightly identified as followers of Christ.
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