Romans 6:1-7 (EHV) What shall we say then? Shall we keep on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 Absolutely not! We died to sin. How can we go on living in it any longer? 3 Or do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into…
Proverbs 3:5-6 (EHV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Trust is a reasonable understanding of life. It is not blind faith. Blind faith means there is no logical, rational reason…
Romans 1:16-17 NKJV – 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is…
What Sacrifices Do Christians Offer? Our bodies and minds. Our bodies in the sense that we determine not to follow (outside God’s allowances) worldly, fleshly desires. See Romans 12:1-2, Ungodly body desires: sacrifices to idols (sports, money, sex, power, position, comfort, etc.); fornication, adultery, etc.); 2 Timothy 3:1-4; Galatians 5:19-21; etc. Ungodly mind desires:…
What is God’s Style of Leadership? Two basic styles: 1) total control and 2) delegator. One would be the hunter/master and the latter the shepherd. Examples: Nimrod and Jesus Nimrod: Josephus writes: “He (Nimrod) also said he would be revenged on God, if he should have a mind to drown the world again; for…
What is the Fruit of the Spirit? Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. We are the branches, Jesus is the vine (John 15). The vine supplies all nutrients, including water. The branches bear fruit…
What is the Purpose of Affliction & Dross Burning? Sometimes our afflictions are due to wrong decisions of others or ourselves. Sometimes God allows these experiences to teach us, test us, and strengthen us. Dross burning is when God uses various situations to purify our Christian character. Some of these unpleasant situations are for…
If mocking is defined as teasing, then there is no problem. The problem with teasing is that it never ends, which can cause severe emotional distress. If mocking is defined as words designed to destroy, hurt, damage, abuse, etc., then it is evil. Example of teasing type: A pastor comes to a gathering at…
What Does the Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8) Mean? Luke 18:1 (MEV) He told them a parable to illustrate that it is necessary always to pray and not lose heart. The Greek word for “lose heart” is ἐκκακέω ekkakeō and means “To turn out to be a coward, to lose one’s courage.…
Why Are Those Who “Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness” Blessed? The consequences of sin are God’s judgments. The consequences of thinking and living God’s way are blessings. The consequences of seeking pleasure are God’s judgments (Romans 1:18-32 and Galatians 5:19-21). The consequences of seeking God’s ways are blessings (Galatians 5:22-26 and Ephesians 5:8-14). Matthew…