An Offer You Can’t Refuse – Genesis 17:1-2

Posted on January 12, 2014 by Steve

“When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to him, saying, I am God Almighty. Live in My presence and be blameless. I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you greatly” (Genesis 17:1-2, ESV).

Thirteen years after Ishmael’s birth, God again appeared to Abram, whom He renamed as Abraham during this appearance. In these verses God calls Himself “El Shaddai,” for which the meaning is unknown, but its translation as “God Almighty” is based on a tradition going back more than two thousand years.

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Holy Spirit Power – Zechariah 4:6

Posted on December 21, 2013 by Steve

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6, ESV).

The foundation of the temple had been laid after the initial return of the Jews from Babylonian exile, but powerful opposition prevented any further progress on rebuilding the temple for over fifteen years.

In a vision Zechariah saw a golden lamp stand supplied by a never-ending source of oil from two adjacent olive trees. When Zechariah inquired of the Lord what this meant, Zechariah was given a message addressed to Zerubbabel, the governor, who along with Joshua the high priest had been charged with the task of rebuilding the temple upon the Jews return from captivity.

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The Gift That Keeps on Giving – John 15:26

Posted on November 23, 2013 by Steve

“But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me” (John 15:26, NLT).

At the Last Supper Jesus explained to His disciples that He was going away–He was going to be arrested and executed–and so He would send the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, to be with His disciples.

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What Am I Supposed To Do? – John 14:10

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Steve

“My Father who lives in me does his work through me” (John 14:10, NLT).

All right, you’re a Christian. Maybe you have been a Christian for all or most of your life or maybe just for a short time.

Either way, the same nagging question always lingers in the back of your mind: “Lord, what am I supposed to do with my life and with my salvation?”

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A Gift for Everyone – John 7:38-39

Posted on November 7, 2013 by Steve

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:38-39, ESV).

Jesus did not necessarily mean that there was no work of the Holy Spirit in the world prior to His resurrection.

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The “Real” Jesus – John 3:1-4

Posted on October 29, 2013 by Steve

“There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. ‘Rabbi,’ he said, ‘we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.’ Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.’ ‘What do you mean?’ exclaimed Nicodemus. ‘How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?'” (John 3:1-4, NLT).

It has been said that perception is reality. In fact, this view could be the mantra of the post-modern era.

The well-known account of the encounter of Nicodemus and Jesus is a story of how people often accept their own flawed perceptions and misconceptions as reality.

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Embracing God’s Word – Ezekiel 3:10-11

Posted on October 25, 2013 by Steve

“Then Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. Then go to your people in exile and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’ Do this whether they listen to you or not.” (Ezekiel 3:10-11, NLT).

In this commissioning of Ezekiel for God’s service, there are two points that are relevant for disciples of Jesus.

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Salvation Workout – Philippians 2:12-13

Posted on September 18, 2013 by Steve

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13, ESV).

The Apostle Paul is not suggesting the the Philippians should try to earn their salvation by doing good works.

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Celestial Citizenship – Philippians 1:27

Posted on September 17, 2013 by Steve

“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ” (Philippians 1:27, NLT).

My paternal grandfather was born in England and migrated to the United States with his family as a baby. Later in life he became a naturalized citizen of the United States.

I have a copy of his citizenship papers. His certificate of naturalization says that he intends to reside permanently in the United States and is entitled to be admitted to citizenship.

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God’s Superheroes – Ephesians 3:20-21

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Steve

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever” (Ephesians 3:20-21, ESV).