What is the Nature of God? We have the Bible to tell us about God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Let’s take an overview. Father Son Holy Spirit Called God Philemon 1:2 John1:1,14; Col. 2:9 Acts 5:3,4 Creator Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 64:8 John 1:3; Col, 1:16 Job 33:4; 26:13 Resurrects Genesis 1:1; 1 Thes. 1:10 John 2:19, 10:17 Romans 8:11 Indwells 2 Corinthians 6:16 Col 1:27; Gal 2:20 John 14:17, Rom 8:9-11 Everywhere 1 Kings [...] Read more »
21 Books Mentioned in the Bible That Are Likely Lost
As a writer and student of history I often daydream about what it would be like to discover a book lost to antiquity. I’m not talking about the “hidden books of the Bible” that periodically get splashed on trash papers in the checkout lines at grocery stores. I have the deuterocanonical books. I have the popular books of the first two century of the church. (The Max Lucado’s of the day.) I even have in translation the gnostic writings found [...] Read more »
How I Hear the Father Speak to Me
Unless you’re taking a test and the Teacher is silent, the Father is always speaking. It’s up to us to learn how He’s speaking in this season, or else we may just miss it. Job 33:14 says – For God speaks time and again but a person may not notice it. Why is it so important for us to notice what the Father says? First, it confirms we are His. My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they [...] Read more »
Since God’s In Charge, Is He in Control?
For a number of years I’ve been working through our relationship with God and why prayer is important. I’ve learned not to blame God for the works of the one who comes to steal, kill and destroy. Bill Johnson has an amazing take on all of this and this is another teaching I want to consider and study through. It’s amazing revelation. Read more »
Should I Be Hungry for God?
Should I be hungry for God? I came across this verse in Scripture and it jumped out as one that we push off into eternity. The problem I have with doing that is that the context doesn’t seem to suggest we need to leave it until we die. Jesus was saying some difficult things that made many of his followers turn back. One of these things was: “I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes [...] Read more »
70 Functions of the Holy Spirit
We just had a an incredible weekend with the Holy Spirit… yes, I know He’s already in us, around us and on us at all times…but there are moments and times when He’s more palpable and people are healed, relationships are restored and good things happen…I’m still shaking sensing His presence now. I’d better go soak. Before I do, I wanted to share this post I prepared last week, about the Holy Spirit. In her book, Spiritual Revolution Patricia King [...] Read more »
Angels – 20 Characteristics of Angels I See In Scripture
In her book, Spiritual Revolution: Experience the Supernatural in Your Life Through Angelic Visitations, Prophetic Dreams, and Miracles Patricia King shows a great deal of Biblical research on Angels. Instead of going to my handy Dictionary of Bible Themes I’ve started my study on the characteristics of angels from Patricia’s work. Here are 20 Characteristics of Angels I See in Scripture. Angels are intelligent and wise. (2 Samuel 14:20; 19:27; Matthew 24:35) Angels are patient. (Numbers 11:22-35) They are meek. [...] Read more »
Angels – 18 things we see Angels do In Scripture
In my ongoing posting about Angels, I think it’s time we look at Scripture to see what they actually do. We can all have pre-conceived ideas about fat-little babies with small wings playing harps and sitting on clouds. That’s probably the most common and worst description of angels. Here are 18 things we see Angels do in Scripture Angels bring answers to prayers. (Daniel 9:21-28) Angels minister to the saints. (Hebrews 1:14) Angels worship God. (Revelation 5:11, Psalm 148:2) Angels [...] Read more »
Angels – Four Facts to Remember about Angels
In a previous post I started to talk about the new cessationism that is prominent in some Christian circles. I believe it’s because we have a retreat mentality every time someone we disagree with goes overboard. I’m finding more and more Christian leaders are afraid to talk about angels. They don’t want to seem “too spiritual.” They’ve seen the damage done when someone claims a new revelation that comes from angels. They want the focus to be complete on Christ. [...] Read more »
How Can We Seek the Lord?
We’ve previously discussed WHY we should seek the Lord. But I still haven’t gotten around to discussing how we can. As I mentioned earlier, “I guess I always thought it meant “pray longer” maybe even “pray louder”. Of course it meant to fast…” But what does the Bible say about it. I know I’m ticking off some Bible scholars because I pull verses out of context and don’t discuss the nuances of the original language. In my defense, this is [...] Read more »
Why Should we Seek the Lord?
It’s best I don’t assume everyone buys into a life of “following hard after God”. Every tribe of church has our own language and assumptions and what makes perfect sense to one won’t mean a thing to the next. Truth be told, even if we think we know what “seek the Lord” means, chances are its not exactly how Scripture defines it. And so before I begin to show you how we are to seek the Lord as Scripture defines, [...] Read more »
As I Was Looking Into Seeking the Lord…
When we’re raised in the church, we often accept that we know what phrases mean without ever thinking, “Just what does that mean?” The longer your on the way, the harder it is to say to someone who asks you to explain a concept, “I really don’t know.” So we make something up based on all the sermons we heard that never explained phrases and just assumed we were all on the same page. I was a senior pastor at [...] Read more »
The Harvest Moon
We had an incredible Harvest Moon around these parts this year. Every time I see it, I’m reminded about this illustration that comes from the natural and explains the supernatural. While no illustration is perfect, this one comes close. Be encouraged, this life you’re called to live is lived through you by One who can live it to the full. Enjoy! Read more »
How Great is God?
I love spending time being in awe of the Father. It’s too easy in our busy society to forget to reflect. I know this is a little long, but trust me, the pay off is worth it. Thanks to NASA for the clips from Hubble. I’ve just ordered a bunch of royalty-free video clips as I want to start getting back into online video as a ministry tool. If you’re doing this as well, let’s hook up on YouTube Love [...] Read more »
Christmas According to John
I told you in the first post this week that I would let you know my favorite Christmas account. Is it Matthew that tells us Jesus came as our King? I love Matthew’s interest in how prophecy is fulfilled – I don’t understand it all, but I love seeing how he saw prophecy fulfilled. But it’s not my favorite narrative. Is it the lack of a story in Mark? When I was a kid, Dad started a tradition of reading [...] Read more »
Christmas According to Luke
Matthew placed Jesus in Jewish history. Luke places Jesus in world history. He puts it in time – Caesar Augusts taxes the world during the time Quirinuis was governor of Syria . His genealogy ends with Adam. Luke has carefully researched the events around Christ’s birth – and he starts with the events around Jesus’ cousin’s birth – the miraculous birth of John. Luke gives fuller accounts of angels – Matthew talks about angels appearing in dreams (more acceptable to [...] Read more »
Christmas According to Mark
I wonder how many people came to this post with no idea that Mark says nothing about Christmas. I’m sure I snagged a few theologians who think I’m either unschooled or a heretic and are here to see which it is. Yet Mark’s conspicuous absence of a nativity account speaks volumes to us and that’s what I want us to consider today. Why would Mark – that in many ways is so close to its synoptic brothers (Matthew and Luke) [...] Read more »
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