intentional disobedience
On Monday of this week I was faced with another obedience decision.
I could choose truth or careless indifference to the truth.
While God was making my choice clear … at the same time Satan was doing his best to convince me it was just a small thing and no big deal. I can still hear the voice of the evil one telling me: “This lie will not dishonor your wife or your marriage, it is just breaking a small pledge and no one will probably find out anyway. —– I chose disobedience.
Tuesday my devotional time took me to Paul’s …
mickey for willie
In the 1950’s and 60’s my brother and I used to collect and trade baseball cards with our friends around school and the neighborhood. The heroes back then where men like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Whitey Ford, Roger Maris, Sandy Kofax, Bob Gibson and Frank Robinson. It was a thrill to make a big trade … especially if you received one of your long time favorite players in exchange for a few “bad players”.
The greatest trade arrangement in the world came on a hill just outside of Jerusalem .
On that day 2,000 years ago Jesus offered the trade …
off line and doomed
I was born with no ability to measure up to God’s expectations. His standards are impossible for me to meet … and because I fall short and miss the mark … I will be judged according to a pattern of righteousness I cannot attain. The “plumb line” has been hung … yet I fail to measure up … and because God is JUST I must face his punishment.
Then came Jesus. He not only took my penalty, he placed his spirit within me to live by.
Now, by his grace, my life can line up with his Holy “plumb …
Commitments Shape Your Life
Since everything around us is going to melt away, what holy, godly lives you should be living! 2 Peter 3:11 (LB)
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You don’t have to understand all the implications of your decision when you choose to follow Jesus. You simply need to respond to his invitation, to make a commitment to follow Christ.
Your commitments shape you life more than anything else. Your commitments can develop you or they can destroy you, but either way, they will define you.
Tell me what you’re committed to and I’ll tell you what you’ll be in twenty years. We become whatever we’re committed …
The Practice of Surrender
“If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing even to give up their lives to follow me.” Matthew 16:24 (NCV)
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Paul’s moment of surrender occurred on the Damascus road after he was knocked down by blinding light. For others, less drastic methods are needed to get our attention.Regardless, surrendering is never just a one-time event.Paul said, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31 NASB).
There is a moment of surrender and there is the practice of surrender, which is moment-by-moment and lifelong. The practice of surrender requires perseverance; you may …
Everybody Surrenders to Something
Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God, but laid aside his mighty power and glory, taking the disguise of a slave and becoming like men. Philippians 2:6-7 (LB)
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Everybody surrenders to something or someone in life.If not to God, you’ll surrender to popular opinion, to money, to resentment or fear, or to your own pride, lust, and ego.
We were designed to worship something, and when we fail to worship God, we create gods (idols) to surrender ourselves to. E. Stanley Jones said, “If you don’t surrender to Christ, you surrender …
Surrender Strengthens You
We are not our own bosses to live or die as we ourselves might choose. Living or dying we follow the Lord. Either way we are his. Romans 14:7-8 (LB)
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The paradox of surrender is that it produces power and victory. Stubborn temptations and overwhelming problems can be defeated by Christ when handed over to him.
As Joshua approached the biggest battle of his life, he encountered God, fell in worship before him, and surrendered his plans. That surrender led to a stunning victory at Jericho.
Surrender doesn’t weaken you, it strengthens you. When you are surrendered to God, you …
mickey for willie
In the 1950’s and 60’s my brother Tom and I used to collect and trade baseball cards with our friends around school and the neighborhood. The heroes back then were men like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Whitey Ford, Roger Maris, Sandy Kofax, Bob Gibson and Frank Robinson. It was a thrill to make a big trade … especially if you received one of your favorite players in exchange for a few “bad players”.
The greatest trade arrangement in the world came on a hill just outside of Jerusalem.
On that day 2,000 years ago Jesus offered the trade of a …
The Blessing of Surrender
Quit quarreling with God! Agree with him and you will have peace at last! His favor will surround you if you will only admit that you were wrong. Job 22:21 (LB)
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The Bible is very clear about how we benefit when we worship God through surrender: “Agree with him and you will have peace at last! His favor will surround you if you will only admit that you were wrong” (Job 22:21 LB).
In surrender, you begin to really live the life God intended: “Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of …
