“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp […]
Read MoreCategory Archives: Christian Living
The War Zone
Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from […]
Read MoreDaily Beatitudes
God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be […]
Read MoreJesus Brings Blessing
The crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught them with real authority— quite unlike their teachers of religious law. Matthew 7:28–29 Read Matthew 5, 6, and 7. Four observations come to mind while reading these Scriptures, each quite a striking contrast to standard sermons preached today. First: He spoke these words outside rather […]
Read MoreJesus’ Message of Simple Faith
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law. Matthew 7:28–29 When it came to clear communication, Jesus was a master. Children and adults alike had no difficulty understanding His words or following His reasoning. This is remarkable […]
Read MoreThe Uncomplicated Life of Faith
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. James 4:8 What if being close to God were simple? What if this thing called faith isn’t as complicated as it’s cracked up to be? And while I’m asking the critical questions: What if you could be liberated—I mean really set free—from all those […]
Read MoreCheckpoints Along the Way
Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. (1 John 4:1) 1 John 4:1–5 As we look forward to flying closer to the flame as the Spirit […]
Read MoreEvidences of His Presence
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him. (Romans 8:16–17 NASB) 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; 12:4–7 How do we recognize the […]
Read MoreEvidences of the Spirit’s Empowering
For the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17) What can we expect a Spirit-filled life to look like? What are things you and I can claim when the Spirit is in full control? When we are Spirit-filled and therefore rightly related to the […]
Read MoreUnderstanding First Things First
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth. (Acts  NASB) Let’s return to basics . . . two foundational issues. One has to do with […]
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