Categories
God's Power Government Prayer

Prayer Not War

Last night I remembered a couple of old hymns we sang in my childhood going to Roman Catholic mass. They are “Shepherd of Souls in Love Come Feed Us,” and “O Sacred Head, Surrounded.” I can still sing most of the lyrics because we repeated them during many Sundays [and some weekday masses at the RC school I attended] in my youth. They do show a love and appreciation for what Christ has done for us.

Categories
God's Power

Stir Up the Gift of God

Paul taught Timothy to walk by God’s spirit and to use the spiritual abilities that he had in Christ. One specific encouragement he gave can be applied to our lives.

Categories
God's Power

Our Authority and Power in Christ

A soldier may wield great power in terms of weapons and training. Yet, he cannot use that power unless given authority by a commander. A rocket has great power to hurtle an object across space. Yet, it won’t move an inch without the authority given from the control tower. The same is true of spiritual power. A person must have both the inherent power and ability, AS WELL AS the authority to use that power. Let’s see how two Greek words exousia [authority] and dunamis [power] are used together in the New Testament. This will help us understand the power and authority that we have in Christ today.

Categories
God's Power

It’s a Wonder-Full Life in Christ!

It REALLY IS a wonderful life in Christ. The thing that turned things around for George Bailey was when Mary and the kids prayed for him–as well as many others who loved and appreciated him. That’s a key to our “wonderful life.” It is FULL of wonders. The Book of Acts shows God working in the life of the early church believers. The Biblical Greek word for “wonders” [teras] is used nine times in Acts.

Categories
God's Power

God’s Power in Us

What is the meaning of LIFE?

Living
In
Father’s
Enpowerment

Categories
God's Power

God’s Promise to Us: Explosive Power in Christ

TNT. It can mean a couple of things, and both are powerful. TNT is confused with dynamite as being the same thing. However, the two are not similar at all. Dynamite is made of an absorbent medium coated in nitroglycerin and wrapped in a holding tube. TNT on the other hand is an actual compound, trinitrotoluene. Due to its relative insensitivities, TNT was deemed to be a safer alternative to dynamite. In other words, TNT needs to be ACTIVATED in order to show its power.

The other TNT is “The New Testament.” This is not only a portion of the Bible text, but the agreement God made with all people through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Categories
God's Power

Moonset in PV

We’ve been staying with Sherry’s Dad, her sister, and our nephew for nearly two weeks. It was like being “home” again, because we had lived here for five years previously. Palos Verdes, California, is one of my favorite places in the world: pristine beaches, rugged cliffs, expansive ocean views, and cool ocean breezes. The best thing though, is being with people you love. We got to spend some quality time with family, and also visit old friends. Life is good.

Categories
Health & Healing

My Better Half

I’ve learned over the years to listen to my wife. Sherry is what Proverbs 31 calls a virtuous woman, and that includes her being filled with wisdom. After completing a full marathon last year, I was thinking of doing it again. But Sherry recommended I cut back a little. The upside is that I didn’t have to run up to the top of a small mountain and could stay pretty level. Today I enjoyed—really enjoyed—running the Coeur D’Alene Half Marathon. The weather was perfect, the view along the lake was reminiscent of visiting the Sea of Galilee, and there were plenty of wonderful people to meet and encourage along the run.

Categories
Holy Spirit

Filled with the Holy Spirit

A Christian friend had a good question today regarding the holy spirit not being given “by measure” to Jesus Christ in John 3:34 and 35. Here’s what it says.

John 3:34,35:
For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

John the Baptist is talking here about his cousin, Jesus the Christ. What does it mean that God doesn’t give the spirit “by measure” to Jesus?

Categories
Following the Lord Jesus Christ

Following the Lord Jesus Christ: #34 God Has Visited His People

Last time, we rejoiced to hear about the healing of the centurion’s servant in Capernaum. We did not actually see him healed because Jesus did not even have to go to the centurion’s home! He simply “spoke the word” and the beloved servant was healed.