If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3 ESV We all have particular verses that encourage us in various ways as believers in Christ. These verses from Colossians 3 are beautiful reminders where the…
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as…
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13,14 ESV Deliverance ministry is a hot topic and for some, it is a lucrative business. It is a topic I have discussed both in writing and on my podcast several times. It is a topic worth discussing as there are concerns surrounding its practices, namely that it is only for…
Matthew Henry is a personal favorite when doing Bible study on a particular verse of Scripture, and his commentary did not disappoint as I read his insight concerning John 15. Henry encourages fellow believers by saying, “We must be fruitful. From a vine we look for grapes, and from a Christian we look for Christianity… the Christian temper and disposition, A Christian life and conversation. We must honor God and do good, and this is bearing fruit.” When discussing unfruitful…
If you had told me a few years ago that Scripture taken out of context would cause me to begin questioning teaching I had sat under for nearly two decades, I would have likely dismissed the claim. After all, this was not an isolated incident. It is unpleasant to confess that I also took Scripture out of context during those years, from offering messages and blog posts to even being permitted to minister from pulpits on Sunday mornings. The error…
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV The phrase “redeeming the time” might lead you to think that I am going to be talking about God redeeming the time of a trial or hardship, and that what you have lost, God will give it back to…
I did not send the prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my council, then they would have proclaimed my words to my people, and they would have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their deeds. Jeremiah 23:21,22 The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Revelation 19:10 Pandemic prophecies with erroneous time stamps, double-minded declarations and cryptic words regarding international leaders…