Tag Archives: spiritual growth

Love; August 9, 2026


John 15:12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. The Upper Room Discourse is so incredibly rich, I think I could preach on literally any verse in it! This verse is certainly no exception, and … Continue reading

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Children; August 2, 2026


Matthew 18:3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” It’s interesting, and a little awkward, that I quoted this verse just two days ago, not realizing … Continue reading

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God’s Calling; August 1, 2026


Matthew 15:32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse … Continue reading

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Being Childlike; July 31, 2026


Matthew 10:16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” This is a very famous verse, but there’s a difference in nuance between the English and the Japanese that … Continue reading

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Human Nature; July 26, 2026


Hosea 11:2 But the more they were called,    the more they went away from me.They sacrificed to the Baals    and they burned incense to images. My first response to this is, that’s human nature for you. This seems very much like the … Continue reading

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Trusting God; July 12, 2026


Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you;    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you;    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. God caused this sort of statement to be recorded in the … Continue reading

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Depending on God; July 4, 2026


Psalm 50:14-15 “Sacrifice thank offerings to God,    fulfill your vows to the Most High,and call on me in the day of trouble;    I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” In this Psalm God makes it very clear that He doesn’t need us, in any sense … Continue reading

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Listening to God; June 19, 2026


Genesis 35:10 God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.” So he named him Israel. Back in Genesis 32:29, the angel who wrestled with Jacob assigned the name Israel … Continue reading

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Hunger; June 7, 2026


2 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation. One of the first requirements for spiritual growth is desire, a hunger for the things of God. This statement by Peter … Continue reading

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Trials; June 6, 2026


1 Peter 1:6-7 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes … Continue reading

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