The power of the Holy Spirit, working in us as comforter, helper, and guide, transforms us into powerful witnesses to God’s love and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Ac 1:8), taking us to places we might never have dreamed of going and overflowing with an unrelenting, optimistic hope that comes only by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom 15:13).
Read the Discipleship Prayer here.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
― Romans 15:13 (NIV)
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Faith over Fear is not the fulcrum of our decision making. Love is. Faith expressed through love, makes us free to love others without fear, because love drives out fear, allowing us the freedom to love openly, unapologetically, and without limit.
The way, truth, and life as expressed, and lived out, by Christ and the apostles centered around faith expressing itself through love as the only thing that counts (Gal 5:6). Faith expressing itself through love:
Read the Discipleship Prayer here.
Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
~Acts 5:42
In Southeast Asia is it not uncommon for children to be named simply with a number representing their order of birth. In some areas, many first born sons have the same name which, in their local language means “first” or “one.” This name becomes and important identifier of ones place in the family, along with the rights, responsibilities, and tasks which will be required of them.
In…
As we come into God’s presence in prayer it is important to begin with praising God for who God is — most high, most holy, most loving, and much more — and remembering that it pleases God to love and be loved.
Read the Discipleship Prayer here.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.
~James 1:17–18 (NIV)
Everything good…
Your way is the way of fullness and life. In Jesus name…Amen
Read the “Discipleship Prayer” below slowly, intentionally, pausing to think and reflect along the way as the Spirit leads. Notice which parts cause you to pause, which parts bring about questions, and which parts do not come out as easily as it seems they should.
Over the next several week we will be breaking down this prayer, investigating, considering, and reflecting on each line. Today, spend as much time as you can familiarizing yourself with the prayer.
Heavenly Father-God Most High, Most Holy, Most Loving
Jesus-the Christ, Messiah…
In the same way that God has given us the gift (yes, it is a gift when we realize fully its purpose and power to transform our lives in meaningfully ways) of a Sabbath day, we might also consider arranging our daily schedule with one or more “Sabbath moments” — short periods of time to intentionally and purposefully separate ourselves from the many busyness and distractions of the day for the purpose of praising God, praying, practicing hospitality, and putting our priorities in proper perspective.
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my…
“It would seem as though God’s people have almost always had to narrate their life through the lens of exile”
T. Scott Daniels, Exile, Kindle location 180
Having lived for nearly 15 years in an Asian country where the Christian community is a significant minority, the idea of exile is a familiar one, though prior to reading T. Scott Daniel’s Exile I’m not sure I ever thought of it through the lens of exile. In the context of the minority Christian community where I live, the reality of exile is the way things have always been and probably will be…
Living to the fullest means emptying ourselves fully.
A comment on my recent post entitled Perfect Plans and Purposes ended with “…living our lives to the fullest for God to our very last breath, whenever that may be.” (Thanks, Beth!) . This got me to thinking.
My response to this comment ended with a short phrase that reflected one of those rare moments when words just fall out onto the floor perfectly arranged with no need for re-wording, re-ordering, or re-thinking:
Living to the fullest means emptying ourselves fully.
Not that I came up with this on my own. Scripture…
The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.
— Leviticus 19:1–2
Old Testament “holy” — קָדוֹשׂ (qādôš) — sacred, divine, separate
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
— 1 Peter 1:13–22
New Testament “holy” — ἅγιος (hagios) — sacred, belonging to God
“Your name is holy” points us back to who God is — God is sacred, divine, and separate from everything…
Post 5 of 28
United Methodist Church “Articles of Religion
And in unity of this Godhead there are three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
Church of the Nazarene “Articles of Faith”
The God who is holy love and light is Triune in essential being, revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Southern Baptist Convention “Basic Beliefs”
The eternal triune God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.
Fellowship of Evangelical Churches Articles of Faith
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I teach, sing, write, play guitar and basketball, read, and pray that “if I must err, let it be in the direction of love.” Visit www.DoEverythingInLove.com