In essence, it may not look like it from the outside, and sometimes it may not even feel like it, but when something fails to serve its ultimate purpose, its reason for existence, the reality is, it’s failing – period!
“I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,” Philippians 3:8-9.
Your reason for doing things needs to come from an undivided heart to know the Lord Jesus, not from rewards or punishment or any other pressure. Remain undivided, and move in life as He leads.
Incarnation
Since completing college, I have returned on a few occasions to learn more. The second of which was to learn how to use New Testament Greek to help me study the Bible. At the end of the first class, our professor assigned the task of learning the Greek alphabet. At this point, my textbook had not arrived. So, I borrowed a book from Bob who had taken a similar Greek course many years before. I had one week to learn the alphabet. At home, I immediately made flash cards of...
read moreProvidence
The lady asked, “How did you learn to summarize large bodies of thought?” It happened not by my design, but by Another. Following is my answer, but first why I began this path. The Founders of this country believed that to learn to think like great people one had to read, reread, contemplate and discuss the thoughts of great people. The Founders read the Bible, including the law and the prophets. They read the classical Greek works, as well as those of the Romans. They read about the reformation in Europe, particularly in Britain during the...
read moreWhy not pot? Why not beer? Why not live with such good cheer?
In recent years, several young adults in churches have asked me about drinking beer. A few have asked me about smoking weed. More are asking. The answer is found in perhaps a hundred different verses, all communicating the same principles. However, since one of the books I am reading through at this time is Leviticus, why not answer them there? If dusty old Leviticus answers their question, perhaps the Biblical evidence runs pretty deep. The book we know as Leviticus records the way the redeemed Hebrews worshiped God. The book begins...
read moreWander or Worship
If your life means so little that you are content to wander through life and come together each week to “worship,” then you haven’t freely given your life to God as a true worshiper. Worship alone brings unity in the diversity of life Individually, we are very complex. God made each of us individually so unique. I love the diversity in life. I love it very much. I love the different people groups. I love what each people group brings to the experience in this world. In fact, the older I get the more I value and appreciate diversity....
read moreBiblical Discipleship
Biblical Discipleship – to teach the believing student how to think as a believer before God, training them to have a sound relationship with the God of the Scriptures; to discover their expression in the Lord Jesus Christ. Armor and Discipleship If someone doesn’t trust you, they will want you to wear their armor. That is what king Saul did to David on the battlefield before he faced Goliath, I Samuel 17:38-39. The person pushing his or her armor upon another doesn’t trust this person, and in fact, the pusher foremost does not trust...
read moreIf you see a need – do not go do it
Learning about Millennials (roughly those 18-34 years of age) is something I enjoy very much. They have a wonderful influence over me. Recently I listened to a radio program whose emphasis was to repeatedly applaud Millennials for being problem solvers, for starting “social innovation companies.” The speakers on the program stated things like, “(Millennials) see the problem, and are not just going to let it happen on their watch. They’re going to actually create a solution. They’re not going to wait on someone older to do it. They’ll do it.”...
read morePurpose and Pressure
Here’s some of what I realized watching the 2014 NCAA College Football National Championship. While Auburn appeared to maintain their composure as a team throughout the game, Florida State seemed shocked from very early in the game that they were not dominating Auburn. I told one of our sons that FSU has to make an adjustment (mentally) at halftime. At the end of the game a reporter spoke to the Florida State quarterback, Jameis Winston. “After struggling through the first half, what was the biggest adjustment you guys made at...
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