Every Promise in the Book Isn’t Mine
We can only claim and have assurance God will fulfil what He has said in His Word He will do. That means we cannot claim a promise if God didn’t make it.
In his second letter to Timothy, Paul wrote that “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Christians from the apostles until now have, like Paul, regarded Scripture as central to the life and growth of the Church.
But even though we know its importance to our lives, too often our knowledge and application of Scripture remain minimal. Why? Perhaps sitting down to study the Bible might seem intimidating, or it could just be difficult to carve out some devotional time. Maybe you have questions about the Bible, but you aren’t sure where to look for answers.
Let these tools, articles, audio sermons, and resources help you incorporate the Scriptures more fully into your life.
We can only claim and have assurance God will fulfil what He has said in His Word He will do. That means we cannot claim a promise if God didn’t make it.
Clipping away the dead growth on a grapevine is hard work. But any gardener can tell you, pruning is an essential step if you want the vine to flourish! Chuck Swindoll describes how God prunes His children…so we can be healthy and produce spiritual fruit!
Jesus urged His disciples, who were still shaken by His talk of death, to overcome their fear by depending on the Holy Spirit, claiming Christ’s peace, accepting God’s plan for the future, and following His pattern of obedience to the Father.
So far, Jesus has served up sombre topics of death, trials, and Peter’s denials. To calm troubled hearts, He taught His disciples about personal faith, preparation for heaven, God’s sovereign hand, and answered prayer.
Jesus loved others to the utmost and mandated His disciples to love each other as He did. Not knowledge but our authentic agape-love marks us as Christ followers. This love seeks the highest good for others; it is unconditional, unselfish, and unlimited.
Jesus revealed a high Acceptance Quotient with Judas, His betrayer. Even though Jesus knew Judas’ evil plan, He gave Judas the seat of honour and loved him. Acceptance doesn’t nullify discernment or deny depravity but seeks peace. To accept others without partiality or prejudice is the highest form of love.
Jesus took the role of a servant and washed the disciples’ feet. He who displayed the highest form of humility was not self-exalting but always seeking the best for others.
Many of us can readily recreate a mental picture of the church we grew up in…the building, the people, and the preaching. Chuck Swindoll invites us to go back much further, to examine an original snapshot of the very first church.
Jesus poured His life into 12 men, teaching, coaching, warning, and mentoring. And when He ascended into heaven, these disciples were not abandoned! The Spirit of God took over and became the fuel they desperately needed.
The reason we place our trust in Jesus is not to escape the horrific destiny of hell. According to Scripture, following Jesus means that we’re in a lifetime process of becoming more like Him. Be listening when Chuck Swindoll helps us remain focused on our primary mission.