Blinders

“No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 Looking – Jesus is hard to take. If I stop sugar-coating His words, I find a demanding severity that could lead me to utter despair. His blade cuts too deeply for me. His thought…

Adding Insult to Injury

Whoever scorns the poor reviles his Maker Proverbs 17:5 Reviles – God has a special place in His heart for the poor. Perhaps He knows that the poor are our best example of our true spiritual condition. Perhaps His compassionate heart is best appreciated by those who are desperate. Whatever the reason, God loves the…

Unto the Least of These

Whoever scorns the poor reviles his Maker Proverbs 17:5 Scorns – Because we think of ourselves as good and upright people, we are apt to treat this verse as though it is a judgment against the vile and corrupt of the world. Certainly despots and egomaniacal business leaders who exploit the poor for personal gain…

The Other Side of the Sword

I write these things while absent, that being present I may not deal sharply with you according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for pulling down. 2 Corinthians 13:10 Sharply – The Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword. So says Hebrews 4:12. Have you thought…

The Charter of the Church (10)

Therefore, I, the prisoner of the Lord, exhort you to walk worthily of the calling in which you were called, with all humility and meekness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love; being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3 Being Eager – Our last look…

The Charter of the Church (9)

Therefore, I, the prisoner of the Lord, exhort you to walk worthily of the calling in which you were called, with all humility and meekness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love; being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3 Bearing – God is calling you…

The Charter of the Church (8)

Therefore, I, the prisoner of the Lord, exhort you to walk worthily of the calling in which you were called, with all humility and meekness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love; being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3 Long-suffering – What comes to mind…

The Charter of the Church (7)

Therefore, I, the prisoner of the Lord, exhort you to walk worthily of the calling in which you were called, with all humility and meekness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love; being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3 Meekness – Ah, the complexity and…

The Charter of the Church (6)

Therefore, I, the prisoner of the Lord, exhort you to walk worthily of the calling in which you were called, with all humility and meekness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love; being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3 Humility – Do you remember axios,…

The Charter of the Church (5)

Therefore, I, the prisoner of the Lord, exhort you to walk worthily of the calling in which you were called, with all humility and meekness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love; being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3 Were Called – You didn’t ask…