Date:
January 27, 2023Moments of Reflection
Taking God seriously is not only having a sensitive heart towards Him. It’s an inner craving to know Him more. Do you hunger and thirst after God?
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Deeper Walk
The concept of faith is woven through the pages of Scripture and is essential to a personal relationship with God. In fact, “without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV). It is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9) and not only is it necessary for salvation it is part of our daily walk and warfare as believers (Ephesians 6:16).
Contrary to popular Christian opinion, the Bible neither exhorts us to have childlike faith nor does it tell us to believe as children believe. The idea that we are to have childlike faith is an incorrect inference based on several passages of Scripture. “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:14-15; Luke 18:15-17 NIV).
These passages don’t tell us what receiving the kingdom of God like a little child means so it is wrongly assumed to be referring to the faith of a child. In Matthew 18:2-4 Jesus spells out what He means. “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Our goal as believers is not childlike faith. Instead it is to grow to be “mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:4).
The Need to Grow Up
There are few things cuter than the cluelessness of children. However, there are few things more tragic than an adult living a clueless life.
Old Habits Die Hard
Old habits are hard to break. Sometimes we do what is wrong inadvertently, but sometimes we know we’ve done wrong but because we’ve done it so long we don’t stop—even though we hurt ourselves and sometimes others.
Persistence and Determination
The thing that makes for greatness is determination, persisting in the same direction over the long haul. Success is the result of a long, painful, arduous, sometimes sacrificial process. In our world of instant everything these are not popular traits, but they lead to excellence.
What is Wisdom?
When we’re reproved our egos are threatened and we become defensive. What if instead of protecting ourselves we committed to becoming more like Christ? When we desire to be like Him we welcome reproof.
God's Artwork on Display
Good works stand as a testimony to the saving work God has already done in our lives.
Believers, Overcomers, Witnesses
The first part of 1 John 5 helps deepens our understanding of what it means to be a child of God in His forever family.
A Profound Preface
The first four verses of I John, which serve as a preface to the letter, represent a grammatical knot.
Chuck's First Car
Chuck Swindoll didn’t own his first car. He spent so much time polishing it the car actually owned him! So often we get caught up in appearances and forget to enjoy ourselves.
You Can't Have One without the Other
Many people claim to be Christians…but say that their faith is a private thing and has no bearing on their day-to-day life. But the Bible leaves no room for this kind of faith. Chuck Swindoll describes why genuine belief is made obvious by the way we behave.
