Discipleship

Kingdom Without Questions

Wednesday, 25 August 2010 14:41 Bonnie Jaeckle

Have you ever been told that you shouldn’t ask, “Why” or that you should simply accept God’s Word for what it says without questions? I can’t count the number of times that I’ve been accused of asking far too many questions! It has even been suggested that I “need to learn to just believe!”

The truth is I haven’t always had so many questions. In fact, I pretty much accepted and taught what was passed along to me for many years. Oh, I studied Scripture. However, I read with lenses that had been tainted from ideas and opinions of others.

Receiving the Kingdom

Tuesday, 27 July 2010 09:40 David Fredrickson

“Once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heavens. The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot be shaken will remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. Keep on loving each other as brothers.” (Hebrews 12:26-13:1)

It could be argued that the world is undergoing a shaking unparalleled in scope to any other period of human history. Governments, economies, social orders, religious systems and nature itself is in a state of upheaval that grows more intense year by year. Yet God’s rule and reign remains unchallenged and his kingdom will be established on earth according to his eternal plan and purpose.

The Opportunity to Sin must be a Valid Option

Sunday, 04 July 2010 05:48 Jose Bosque

This message has been working in my spirit for quite some time. I knew in my spirit of its validity but it’s just now coming to a place where I can put it on paper. I believe it has always been the plan of God to place us before temptation so that we may know what is in our hearts and thereby grow in our perseverance against sin.

Don’t misunderstand me. God does not tempt us. James 1 clearly says He doesn’t tempt anyone. What I am saying is He doesn’t remove us after salvation and place us in a sin-free bubble to live out our lives here. It’s in the sin-filled atmosphere where the warfare with our flesh exists to strengthen our spiritual muscles so that maturity will result. In the end we must be conformed into His image.

What Defies?

Sunday, 08 August 2010 21:00 Dudley Hall

Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. John 18:28 (ESV)

They were leading Jesus, the exact imprint of God's nature, to the civil authorities being manipulated to have him killed. However, they didn't want to defile themselves and be disqualified from partaking in the feast that the Old Covenant had prescribed for exclusive worship of God. How can mankind be so blind?

Stepping Into Christ

Monday, 19 July 2010 11:14 Thom Gardner

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" John 8:31-32 NLT.

I can remember the first few steps of my baby daughters, especially our daughter Amy. She had crawled around for a while and eventually learned to stand on her feet holding onto something. One evening we were sitting in the living room of the little apartment we had outside Hershey, PA. Amy was holding onto the coffee table (one whose sharp corners had been removed by me so that she would not fall and bump her head on them). She navigated the territory around the table then got this look of delight on her face as if to say, "watch this." She was, as they say, "full of herself." In a moment of sheer delight and purpose Amy stepped away from the table toward one of us, though I do not remember who at the moment. Amy stepped away from what once was her security and into the waiting arms of someone who loved her and was as excited as she was to see her motor across the warm, burnt orange carpet. (It was the 80s after all)