The Principles of True Repentance – Part 2
What are the signs that our repentance is complete? What will we feel and how will we think?
BATTLE READY: THE BATTLEFIELD
“It’s the right thing to do,” Satan says. “And it’s the right time to do it.” God’s timing, his destination, and the way to get to the destination are always perfect, but Satan wants us to work in his time frame, follow his path, and get to his desired destination. His way always involves a shortcut from the road of obedience. That was the essence of the third temptation in the desert.
The Principles of True Repentance – Part 1
You’ve sinned…perhaps greatly. Now, you want the joy of your salvation restored…but how?
Episode 6 Unconditional Love
A father’s unconditional love. That’s what Bryce experienced during his years of rebellion. This emotional story reminds every parent of the power of love and acceptance even when our kids are walking away.
BATTLE READY: THE BATTLEFIELD
Satan seldom shows up as the fiery demon that scares us to death. He is more subtle and craftier in his art of temptation. He puts before us what we want, addresses our purpose in life, and then promises a shortcut if we follow his lead.
The Need for Nathans
How do we reconcile the Lord’s warning to “Judge not lest you be judged” with His command: “If anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one?”
BATTLE READY: THE BATTLEFIELD
Satan attacks us at our weakest moments. He finds us when we are drained, exhausted, and alone. His temptations often come in the form of a remedy to satisfy our immediate needs. That’s where Satan began his temptations with Jesus in the desert.
The Classic Pattern of Disobedience
What are the steps we take when setting off on a journey into sin? And, once on our way, what trespassing side-trips will be necessary to ensure our desired destination?
BATTLE READY: THE BATTLEFIELD
Satan attacks us in our times of strength and in our times of weakness. He came aggressively after Adam and Eve in the garden during a period of perfect communion with God. He did the same with Jesus in the desert when he was physically vulnerable. Today, let’s compare the garden and desert temptations. I will borrow from the excellent work of William Cook and Chuck Lawless to make these comparisons.
BATTLE READY: THE BATTLEFIELD
Satan is not particular about when he attacks. He went after Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. At their strongest point, he convinced them that God was holding out. He also attacks us in our weakest moments. That’s what he did when he tempted Jesus in the desert.
BATTLE READY: THE BATTLEFIELD
God’s grace is amazing! He gives us what we don’t deserve. He offers the free gift of grace without conditions or strings attached. And it all started with his grace in the garden.
What is Sin Anyway?
We sin. And while that’s not news, it is often perplexing. We wonder why we continue to do the things we’ve resolved not to do. So, what is this thing called sin and why is it here in the first place?
BATTLE READY: THE BATTLEFIELD
Temptation appeals to our senses—our spiritual, emotional, and physical senses. That was the lure for Eve in the garden, and we have followed the pattern ever since.
Grace Given, Grace Received
It’s the attribute of God that banishes fear and invites us to enjoy Him forever. Absent it, we’re lost without hope.
BATTLE READY: THE BATTLEFIELD
Does God really love me? Is this the best God has for me? Why is God holding out on me? These questions, which have echoed through the ages, started in the garden when Satan showed up to bring down Adam and Eve. After Satan told Eve that God’s Word was not true, he moved to God’s motive.
When God says NO
Have you laid a dream to rest? A dream that occupied your heart and mind for years? One that inspired you and helped you face each day?
BATTLE READY: THE BATTLEFIELD
When there is an opening in our battle gear, the enemy aims for that vulnerable spot. After Eve’s weak response to Satan’s question, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1), he went from a seemingly innocent question to an attack on God’s integrity.
The Joy of Loving God – Part 2
Worship is best offered with feeling. So what do your feelings toward God, and the expression of those emotions, say about the condition of your heart?
BATTLE READY: THE BATTLEFIELD
A small error makes a big difference. Check this out. If you started walking on a straight path toward a destination and were one degree off course when you started, after one hundred yards, you would end up 5.2 feet from your destination. Not that big of a deal, right? However, in that same scenario, you’d be off by 92.2 feet after a mile. If you were driving in a straight line from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., and started just one degree off, you’d miss the nation’s capital by 42.6 miles. One more…in a rocket going to the moon, one degree off at blastoff would cause you to miss the moon by 4,169 miles. A small error makes a big difference. We see that in the first temptation.
The Joy of Loving God – Part 1
How much do you love God and how do you show it? What about when God doesn’t act the way you want Him to…what do you do then?