The Gospel Is HARD!

VERSE: On hearing [Jesus’ teaching], many of His disciples said, “this is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” — John 6:60 THOUGHT:The truth is hard. The gospel cuts. Jesus’ words are not easy on the flesh. Yet, so many people take the teeth right out of the gospel in order to be less offensive and so that people would accept the message. However, Jesus didn’t do that. He kept …

Let sinners turn to you

VERSE: [God speaking to Jeremiah] “…let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them.” — Jeremiah 15:19 THOUGHT:Jeremiah faithfully preached a hard message of judgment and repentance for about 34 years to a rebellious, backslidden people. He wanted more than anything to see God’s people turn back to God; however God wanted Jeremiah to remain separate from the culture. I fear that the American church at …

Man was not designed to direct his own steps

VERSE: I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. — Jeremiah 10:23 THOUGHT:A quick glance of the world from a “bird’s-eye-view” would suffice to conclude that things are messed up. The way things are, are not the way they ought to be. Why is the world the way it is? The world is messed up because man …

Making gods of nothing

VERSE:[God Speaking] “They say to wood, “you are my father,” and to stone, “you gave me birth.” They have turned their backs to me and not their faces; yet when they are in trouble, they say, “come and save us!”” — Jeremiah 2:27 THOUGHT:Have you ever been insulted by someone you love and care for when they turn their back on you? How insulting it must be to the creator …

Live to what you have attained

VERSE:In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained.Philippians 3:16 THOUGHT:A lot of people are looking for the “new revelation of God”. Others are constantly looking for a prophetic word from someone. However, most of us have heard more truth than we can attain to in this life. Instead of looking for “a word” from someone, try going to THE WORD of God and let Him …

Secular humanism, liberalism, fundamentalism… and Christianity

At the turn of the 18th century, the Age of Enlightenment swept the western world. Philosophers and thinkers were pulling away from traditional views of God and religion, and started seeking the big questions in life through intellectual, scientific and cultural means. Questions like “Where did we come from? Why are we here? And where are we headed?” In other words, they were seeking the answers to questions which could …

Pursuit of our Heavenly Calling

VERSE:I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. Therefore, all who are mature should think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this to you also. (HCSB)Philippians 3:14-15 THOUGHT:As Christians, our lives should be marked by the pursuit of our heavenly calling; not the pursuit of the things that this world has to offer. We are pressing on …

Complaining Ruins Our Witness

VERSE:Do everything without complaining or arguing, SO THAT you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. Philippians 2:14-15 THOUGHT:Not only odes griping make us look bad, but it also makes our master look bad. Philippians 2:15 says that we are here to shine like the stars in the universe. Stars are a …

Pressing Forward, Forgetting What’s Behind

VERSE:Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead… — Philippians 3:13 THOUGHT:A lot of times I emphasize the importance of repentance (turning from sin). Someone once asked me “if a true Christian is someone who turns from sin, is it possible for a true Christian to sin?” The answer is …

The Anointing In You Teaches You

VERSE:As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him— 1 John 2:27 THOUGHT:Sometimes the best teacher can be yourself, when you align yourself with the anointing that is in you. You don’t need …