I have been studying the book of Revelation for a while now, and when this season of study began I had just heard a sermon on the beatitude that the book opens with. Beatitude, you say? Yes, a “blessing;” beatitudes are not just from the Sermon on the Mount. Upon rereading chapter 22 today, I [...]
There are so many new things in my life right now, things that have drawn me to pray and to beg the LORD for certain outcomes. I pray knowing He is the God who answers prayer. I pray knowing He delights to interact with us, and to show us His glory. I pray knowing He [...]
God is not ashamed to be called the God of those who seek the fulfillment of His promises in the life to come. Hebrews 11:16 As you consider this topic with me, you may want to also consider the questions: “who then is God ashamed of?” “Who is He not the God of?” “What about [...]
God created me and redeemed me for His glory, and has promised to share that with me. I do not deserve this! If anyone is honest with himself, that one will know that he too does not deserve this gracious, merciful outcome. What do I deserve? For all my pride and arrogance, for my sins, [...]
I know that with each passing season I declare that it is my favorite and I love it. I love pumpkins and apples and autumn, I love snow and sweaters and winter, I love flowers and sunshine and spring, I love summer and camping and…and then I love autumn again. But seriously, my favorite season [...]
Meditation is one of the classic spiritual disciplines that in today’s busy lifestyle has the unfortunate fate of being a once-a-year exercise for some, and a non-option for many others. For many it becomes a non-option because it is misunderstood and sometimes seemingly intimidating. I remember years ago some fellow Christians challenging me to spend [...]
The book of Galatians has to be one of my all time favorites, and recently having been studying about the covenants through the book of Hebrews and various Old Testament readings; I return once again to Galatians and see my understanding refined. I love this about the Word of God, that the Spirit will always [...]
Have you ever pondered eternal life? (Or if you are reading another translation, “everlasting life”) Have you ever wondered what it is, or whether it is more than just living-for-ever? I have met many people who say pondering such things are no encouragement to the soul. They, in a round about fashion, call it a [...]
Due to the noetic effects of sin, we humans don’t fully know the purposes for which we were created, or properly understand the desires that are within us. The purposes and desires are related, but when our minds are clouded from the fall, we do not see clearly or understand rightly. Noetic effects of sin [...]
Life in a fallen world will be marked by tokens of that world. No one can walk through this world without experiencing life tainted by sin and the effects thereof. Some of these affects stem from the moment sin entered the world: thorns, weeds, and growing weary with work, pain in childbirth (physical and emotional) [...]