Category Archives: relationship with God
promises from heaven’s king
Matthew 5:1-16. Christ’s message and ministry brought light to a dark land. He now challenges his disciples to live up to that message by being salt and light so that others may see their good works. What is the payoff? … Continue reading
Posted in discipleship, future, grace, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, relationship with God, suffering, witness
Tagged Matthew 5
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but God’s grace
Ephesians 2. We were lost, but God’s grace has saved us! We were dead in trespasses and sins, but God’s grace has made us alive together with Christ (1-5). We were incapable of bringing glory to God, but God’s grace … Continue reading
Posted in adoption, dependence upon God, grace, relationship with God, the cross
Tagged Ephesians 2
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benefits of adoption
Galatians 4:1-7. Being adopted into the family of God takes away your burdens, and substitutes benefits. The first benefit is redemption. Paul says “you are no longer a slave (7).” Gentiles are redeemed by the same blood of Christ that … Continue reading
Posted in conditional immortality, deliverance, eternal life, relationship with God
Tagged Galatians 4
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the gospel of the promise
Galatians 3:15-29. The Galatians were being tempted to turn to the Mosaic Law and the Jewish traditions. Paul is telling them here that they do not have to do that because God is already their heavenly Father. They are in … Continue reading
times of threshing
Isaiah 21. The punishment that God’s people would face under the oppressor (in this case, Babylon) for their disobedience was like grain, which is crushed to separate it from its chaff, and then violently thrown to the wind for winnowing. … Continue reading
things that defile
2 Corinthians 6:11-7:16. The temple under the old covenant was a building in Jerusalem, and it could be defiled by people who came in contact with certain things: a dead body, certain animals, etc. Since the death of Christ on … Continue reading
Posted in faithfulness, forgiveness, genuineness, holiness, idolatry, obedience, relationship with God
Tagged 2 Corinthians 6, 2 Corinthians 7
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the time LORD
Psalm 100. LORD, you were there at the creation of Adam, lovingly creating humanity and calling us to a relationship with yourself. You are GOD.You will be there to the end because your steadfast love endures forever, your faithfulness will … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, dependence upon God, faithfulness, relationship with God, worship
Tagged Psalm 100
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when worship makes God sick
Isaiah 1. The Israelites are continuing their worship in the temple, but there is so much wickedness in their lives that the worship makes God sick. He threatens to come as a consuming fire and destroy them. Only a few … Continue reading
Posted in genuineness, integrity, judgment, mortality, relationship with God, works, worship
Tagged Isaiah 1
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the sovereign over situations
Psalm 97. The nations know all about their gods. There is no mystery that cannot be explained by the specialist, for a price. But the God of Israel is shrouded in darkness and mystery. The nations can manipulate their gods … Continue reading
Posted in dependence upon God, idolatry, relationship with God, sovereignty of God, worship
Tagged Psalm 97
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for such a time as this
Esther 4. An enemy has convinced the king to make a decree that could result in the extermination of her people. Queen Esther is in turmoil. Interceding for her people could cost her life, because the law prohibits approaching the … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, courage, obedience, perseverance, relationship with God, sovereignty of God, will of God
Tagged Esther 4
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Devotions 