Posts filed under: Virtue

WHAT FAITH LOOKS LIKE. BIBLICAL NARRATIVES OF TRUSTING GOD, PT. 7: Freedom from “What Might Have Been” Syndrome

I’m not saying that I have already achieved these things or that I have reached perfection. But I press on to gain that for which Christ Jesus first took hold of me. Although I have not achieved it, I focus on one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to...... Read More

WHAT FAITH LOOKS LIKE. BIBLICAL NARRATIVES OF TRUSTING GOD, PT. 6: “What Might Have Been” Syndrome

Saul, however, was still at Gilgal, and all his troops were gripped with fear. 8 He waited seven days for the appointed time that Samuel had set, but Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal, and the troops were deserting him. 9 So Saul said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” Then he offered the burnt offering. I Sam....... Read More

WHAT FAITH LOOKS LIKE. BIBLICAL NARRATIVES OF TRUSTING GOD, PT. 4: Looking for Strength in All the Right Places (Conclusion)

Now David was deeply troubled because his men talked of stoning him; but he strengthened himself in the Lord (1 Sam. 30:6). Therefore, I will gladly boast all the more of my weaknesses (2 Cor. 12:9). ______________________________________________________________________________ Last time we met, the conclusion to our introduction was to ask if we are prepared for a...... Read More

WHAT FAITH LOOKS LIKE. BIBLICAL NARRATIVES OF TRUSTING GOD, PT. 3: Looking for Strength in All the Right Places (Introduction)

Now David was deeply troubled because his men talked of stoning him; but he strengthened himself in the Lord (1 Sam. 30:6). Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord (Zech. 4:6). Therefore, I will gladly boast all the more of my weaknesses (2 Cor. 12:9). ______________________________________________________________________________ One of the...... Read More

WHAT FAITH LOOKS LIKE. BIBLICAL NARRATIVES OF TRUSTING GOD, PT. 2: Overcoming Our Relational Dysfunctions

By faith Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God tested him … even though the Lord had promised that it was through Isaac that Abraham’s descendants would be numbered. It was by faith that Isaac promised future blessings to his sons, Jacob and Esau. And It was by faith that Jacob, before his death,...... Read More

Faith’s Freedoms: From Fantasy to Reality #6, What About Unanswered Prayer?

A Canaanite woman from that area came to him, crying out, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me, for my daughter suffers terribly from demon-possession.’ But Jesus did not answer a word. Mat. 15:22-23 To paraphrase the author of John’s Gospel, “If all the things that people have said about prayer were written down,...... Read More

Faith’s Freedoms: From Fantasy to Reality #5, The Truth About God’s Favor

4 The goodness and kindness of God our savior appeared to save us, not because we did anything righteous, but because he is merciful. He cleansed us, made us alive, and created us anew by the Holy Spirit, whom he gives to us without measure. This is all through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, who makes...... Read More

Faith’s Freedoms: From Fantasy to Reality, Part 4. The Fatal Exercise of Comparison

This is what the Lord says: “The wise should not boast in their wisdom, the powerful in their power, or the rich in their riches. Let anyone who desires to boast boast in this: that they know me and understand that I am the Lord who reveals steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth,...... Read More

Faith’s Freedoms 2: Getting off the Money-Go-Round

 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free (Galatians 5:1). For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ who, though he was rich, became poor for our sakes so that we might become rich in him (2 Cor. 8:9). (The first in a series on freedom from avarice and greed to...... Read More

Faith: Off the Throne and onto the Altar

Abraham believed God, and this was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). It is impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6). I would say that I experienced a blessed childhood. I had good parents, a stable family environment, lots of friends in the neighborhood and at school, no real fears to assail me....... Read More