Behavior or Birth? What Determines Your Identity? We can train a bird to “speak” or sing a song with a human-like voice, but the bird is still a bird. His behavior might be human-like, but he is still a bird. We can teach humans to be better humans, but they are still human. A better human is no more connected to God than a bad human. Both are separated from God by birth. We can behave like a Christian, but…
We are programmed to think that when we are the most important and when we take care of ‘me’ first then all will be well. But that is false. It is a burden. A slavemaster. It is living in a self-made cage of your own abilities, desires, and character traits. Self is never satisfied. Best to throw away that idea. Living from the cross brings freedom. The cross is the key that unlocks the door of our self-made cage. We…
Power – potential, capability, Ability to do or act; capability, to give power, to make powerful If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you…Romans 8:11 Did you know the power that set the sun on fire lives in us? We house the presence of God. We are His temple. Do you feel the vibrating, quivering, life-giving power coursing through your being? It is there. “All the worry and fret of God’s children would end…
As believers, we desire to be refined by God to bring Him honor and be used by Him. But the process of refining isn’t something that feels good, nor does it give us an emotional high. God accomplishes the refining during the normal course of life. On our average day we don’t notice it or recognize it but typically are irritated and complain wishing life would be better. God uses those closest to us to reveal our inner character so…
There is one ultimate question, a question of all time, the only question in the universe, and Hannah Whithall Smith puts it into words. Our great need, therefore, is to find out this fact of His abiding love. Our question of one another, or of our own hearts, ought to be not, “Do you love God?” but, “Have you found out that God loves you?” Smith, Hannah Whithall, “Being Loving” July 4, God Is Enough, Minneapolis, MN: Zondervan Publishing, 1986….
Are you one of the many that are afraid to believe there is a loving God? Or do you know someone who is hesitant to place their faith and confidence in Jesus Christ? It is definitely a step of faith. A stepping out into the unknown. If only they knew how incomplete they are without God, the source of true Life. If only they could see how separated they are from God, with a great chasm between them and God….
I will be taking a short break from sharing on Lighted Path. It is time I took a trip to see family, so I will be flying 1500 miles cross country to see a brother whose health is very fragile and two sisters. I ask for your prayers. In the meantime, I leave you with something to think about. All references are from the English Standard Version online at www.biblestudytools.com. Where is wisdom? Where is the truth? Where is guidance? …
Throughout all time, there has been a sanctuary, a safe place, from which to live life.
Remember the last time you did or said something that you as a believer shouldn’t have? Our flesh, our natural self, can catch us off guard and trip us up. We can fall flat on our face. Stunned. Surprised. And embarrassed. What happened? How is it possible? We are Christians, right? We have been connected to Jesus like a water hose to the tap. We are born again, new creations. So, how can we still think such thoughts, say such…
Why do we fail? As new believers we are full of excitement, anticipation, and will power. Experiencing God’s grace and mercy is such a good feeling we think will last forever now that we are reconciled to God. But that is a feeling. Feelings don’t last. Feelings aren’t trustworthy. Feelings are subject to circumstances. Not reliable. After a while, life settles down and we once again are walking out our life this time as a member of God’s family. But…