“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Romans 12:1 Present – When I was a child in elementary school, every morning the teacher took attendance. This was not an informal process of simply…
“For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will also be set free” Romans 8:20-21 Hope – Yesterday we discovered that God brought futility on creation in order to accomplish His purpose. Meaninglessness is not an accident. Here…
“For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it,” Romans 8:20 Futility – It’s all about purpose. Purpose is a big word in Christian circles these days. The popularity of programs focused on purpose clearly shows God’s fingerprints. It also shows something else. It shows…
“Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Thine be done.” Luke 22:42 But – The life of a servant leader is built around a pause. It is the pause that separates short-term results from the long-term effectiveness. Jesus faced exactly the same pause. He saw a shorter…
“Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established.” Proverbs 4:26 Watch – Have you ever tried to teach a child to ride a bicycle? The first thing that children do is watch their feet. They are so concerned about turning the pedals that they fix their eyes on the wrong…
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 Workmanship – Your life is a divinely inspired poem. Yes, that’s right. The same word used for “workmanship” in this verse is the root of our English word poem. In fact,…
“for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21 Treasure – “So give me money, that’s what I want. Give me money, money, money, that’s what I want.” Do you remember John and Paul (not the disciples) lyrics? Even if you weren’t alive when they sang that song, you don’t have…
“rejoicing dries up from the sons of men.” Joel 1:12 Dries up – Yesterday I received a newsletter on the plight of people in Haiti. It began with this verse from Joel. Today the newspaper headlines carried the story of more killing and turmoil in that country. A few weeks ago I wrote about Cite…
“Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 Condemnation – God loves you and wants to forgive you. But watch out! As soon as you “get saved”, then God turns into the moral policeman who beats you up over every single thing you do wrong. Is that how you…
“and do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” Romans 12:2 Conformed– EXTRA! EXTRA! Read all about it. I need to make a correction. In literary circles its called errata. But in spiritual circles it’s called “sin”. Conformity to this world is sin in God’s view. What’s…
