Tag Archives: spiritual growth

Legalism vs. Love; August 4, 2024


Matthew 12:7-8 If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” As many times as the original passage from Hosea 6:6 is … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Consistency; July 31, 2024


Zechariah 7:9-10  “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’” The Lord is here having Zechariah quote what … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Substitutionary Repentance; July 25, 2024


Daniel 9:18 Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. This prayer is often held … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ministers; July 23, 2024


Jeremiah 3:15 Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding. What a succinct description of a true minister of the Lord! Once again the Japanese gives fresh insight. Where the NIV says … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Walking in Truth; July 9, 2024


Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, Lord,    that I may rely on your faithfulness;give me an undivided heart,    that I may fear your name. This is a prayer that every believer can and should pray. We do know God’s way in general terms, because the … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Trusting God’s Love; June 26, 2024


Psalm 26:2 Test me, Lord, and try me,    examine my heart and my mind. This is a very dangerous prayer, but it is one of faith. David was probably a bit over-confident when he prayed it, but his heart was in the … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Knowing God; June 21, 2024


Psalm 4:8 In peace I will lie down and sleep,    for you alone, Lord,    make me dwell in safety. Even in this short Psalm there were several verses that spoke to me, but I’ll limit myself to this one for the moment. The benefits … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

With All Our Heart; June 16, 2024


Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. I’m so familiar with Jeremiah 29:12-13 that I hadn’t realized … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reputation; June 10, 2024


Revelation 3:1 “I know your deeds; You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” This is certainly a scary thing to hear from Christ! Later on He says that there were a few people in the church … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Churches; June 7, 2024


Revelation 2:4 “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.” I have heard several sermons preached on this passage, and there doubtless could be many more. Ephesus was a church that essentially did everything right, but … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment