This article makes the point that, rather than offering God our gifts and talents, we should approach Him with empty hands, all the better to receive from God. From OpentheBible.org……..
https://openthebible.org/article/seven-blessings-for-empty-handed-believers/?s=09
Wow, are people angry these days. And it seems like Christians are just as sinfully angry as everyone else! This should not be. A helpful and convicting article from Crossway.org……….
https://www.crossway.org/articles/stop-the-spread-of-infectious-anger/
The Value of Solitude
We have already seen what a large role solitude played in the life of our Lord and the great ones in His Way. In solitude, we purposefully abstain from interaction with other human beings, denying ourselves companionship and all that comes from our conscious interaction with others. We close ourselves away; we go to the ocean, to the desert, the wilderness, or to the anonymity of the urban crowd. This is not just rest or refreshment from nature, though that too can contribute to our spiritual well-being. Solitude is chosing to be alone and to dwell on our experience of isolation from other human beings.
Solitude frees us, actually. This above all explains its primacy and priority among the disciplines. The normal course of day-to-day human interactions locks us into patterns of feeling, thought, and action that are geared to a world set against God. Nothing but solitude can allow the development of a freedom from the ingrained behaviors that hinder our integration into God’s order.
From The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives. Copyright © 1988 by Dallas Willard. All rights reserved. Used with permission of HarperCollins Publishers
This is a very informative and thorough look at the Book of Proverbs, especially in how Christ is prefigured in personified Wisdom. From Feeding on Christ………….
This short devotional reminds us that Jesus wants to quench our thirst.
“What do you think will make you happy? Even if you are looking for happiness in all the wrong ways, you are included in Jesus’ invitation. Jesus does not say, “If you thirst for the right things, come to me and drink.” He simply says, “If anyone thirsts.” From OpentheBible.org…………
https://openthebible.org/open-the-bible-daily/what-do-you-think-will-make-you-happy/?s=09
Here is an excellent little article on the joys and benefits that can be found as we expectantly and patiently wait on God. From Gentle Reformation…………
https://gentlereformation.com/2022/08/05/not-now-the-surprising-joy-of-waiting-on-the-lord/
God is our Rock, our strong Tower, a place of refuge! From Crosswalk.com………..
This is a lovely article from biblical counselor Paul Tautges on how God knows about and is concerned individually with our sorrows and disappointments. His title refers to one of the most precious images in all of the Bible – – – that God collects all of our tears in His bottle. From New Growth Press………….
This brief devotional article discusses 6 possible difficult scenarios that might make for a tough day, and then some promises from God to gain hope and encouragement to face the challenges. From Crosswalk.com……….
I find Daniel to be one of the most interesting persons in the Bible. He was exiled to Babylon as a teenager, became the second in command to the king, exercised great gifts and faith, and is not mentioned with any faults or sins. From Crosswalk.com………..
https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/10-things-you-might-not-know-about-daniel-in-the-bible.html
Short answer: Yes. But this article will give you a quick rundown of cherubs in Scripture. From BibleStudyTools.com……..
https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/are-cherubs-in-the-bible.html
| What did Jesus intend for his “disciples”? After Jesus had completed all that he intended to do on earth “in the days of his flesh,” he left his little group of apprentices or “disciples” to keep on doing what he had been doing while he was with them, but now they were to do it worldwide. He told them to “make disciples of all nations” (all kinds of people) and to “teach them to obey everything” he had commanded them (Matt. 28:18–20). He told them to go to all the world (Greek kosmon) and announce the good news to all creation (Mark 16:15). The vision and the task were now cosmic.How are we to think about this task that Jesus set before his little troop? The greatest danger for us now is that we will think too small, that we will think about it in terms of what we know from contemporary “visible” Christianity—churches, denominations, and so forth—and in terms of the political organization of the current world. Above all, perhaps, we must not think of the task as one of making adherents to a particular brand of Christianity now current. If we do, we will then lose the cosmic viewpoint and see the task only in terms of religious organizations and political realities. Quite a very different type of enterprise! From Knowing Christ Today: Why We Can Trust Spiritual Knowledge. Copyright © 2009 by Dallas Willard. All rights reserved. Used with permission of HarperCollins Publishers. |
As this title indicates, the Book of Judges shows a very dark period in the history of the Israelites. So dark, it is hard to find any light or encouragement there ( When was the last time you saw a quote from there in an online meme? ). But this article serves as a reminder that the gospel can be found even there. From BibleStudyTools.com……….
This is really a helpful article. Even if we didn’t have a wonderful relationship at all times with our earthly fathers, I daresay that we still attended to their voice. How much more then should we listen for and yearn for the voice of our Heavenly Father! From OpentheBible.org…………
https://openthebible.org/article/listen-to-your-fathers-voice/?s=09
This article makes a good point: We believers will not receive a lobotomy on Judgment Day, so we will remember our lives on Earth in Heaven, but that will only cause us to rejoice more in Jesus! From Two Journeys………….
https://twojourneys.org/articles/detail/2659272/no-heavenly-amnesia/
I will be honest and say that I have always struggled with trusting God in the area of finances —- but I am getting better! Randy Alcorn encourages us to fear God by trusting Him for His provision. From Eternal Perspectives Ministries……….
We all know that David wrote a lot of the Psalms in our Bibles, but what about some of the others who also wrote some psalms? From BibleStudyTools.com………….
https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-are-the-psalms-of-asaph.html
This article again reminds us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who walks His sheep through the valleys and gives rest and safety. From PlaceforTruth.org……….
I am a big introvert, and as such, I often feel like church habits and activities are designed and approved by extroverts only! This article might most resonate with my fellow introverts, and if so, just know you are not strange! From Crosswalk.com……..
https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/10-things-in-your-church-that-alienate-introverts.html
This article does a nice job of discussing the importance of corporate worship and how it blesses and teaches believers. From Crossway.org……..
Here is a handy overview from the Bible to answer questions about suffering. From Crossway.org……….
| Spiritual formation is theological and psychological The processes of spiritual formation thus understood require precise, testable, thorough knowledge of the human self. Psychological and theological understanding of the spiritual life must go hand in hand. Neither of them is complete without the other. A psychology that is Christian, in the sense of a comprehensive understanding of the facts of spiritual life and growth, should be a top priority for disciples of Jesus, particularly those who work in the various fields of psychology and who consider it an intellectual and practical discipline. No understanding of the human self can be theoretically or practically adequate if it does not deal with the spiritual life. From The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus’s Essential Teachings on Discipleship. Copyright © 2006 by Dallas Willard. All rights reserved. Used with permission of HarperCollins Publishers. |
This is an excellent little article about the parable of the wheat and weeds given by Jesus in Matthew 13. From OpentheBible.org……….
https://openthebible.org/article/7-elements-jesus-parable-weeds/?s=09
This article suggests becoming a better Bible reader and interpreter through some guided exercises from any of Paul’s letters in the New Testament. From Patheos.com…………
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/theestuary/2021/07/how-to-understand-your-bible-more-easily/
This is an interesting article ( sorry, couldn’t resist! ) from Knowable Word that assists us in our bible Interpretation and application. From KnowableWord.org……..
https://www.knowableword.com/2022/07/29/not-every-interesting-detail-is-important/
This article is all about comparing the sins of others to ourselves, and we always come out ahead! “We have no business condemning or judging unbelievers, or those outside of Christ. That’s not our job (Rev 20:12-15). God’s Word and God Himself will judge the unsaved, but this doesn’t mean we don’t share Christ with them.” From Christian Crier via Patheos.com……….
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2019/06/07/sin-shaming/
This is a pretty neat article that summarizes tips to reading the Bible from the great evangelist of the 18th century, George Whitefield. From ReasonableTheology.org………..
https://reasonabletheology.org/how-to-read-the-bible-like-george-whitefield/
I find articles like this to be helpful because they remind me to check where my heart and my mind might be at, as well as to remember the endless resources we have in God and His Word. From Crosswalk.com……….
There is a good bit of wisdom contained in this brief article. We could all use some help with our prayer lives! From OpentheBible.org………….
I was alerted to this thought-provoking article from the Knowable Word site. Why are there two apparently different accounts of Creation in the early chapters of the Book of Genesis? From Ligonier.org………
An interesting and thoughtful article that argues that we can thank God, even for our weaknesses and imperfections. From biblical counselor Rick Thomas ………..
https://rickthomas.net/four-reasons-to-praise-god-for-your-imperfections/
This is the crux of our Christian lives: Whether we will choose to really trust God in all circumstances. After all, God does not need to be reminded of our circumstances, nor can He possibly love us more than He did when we were born again! From Crosswalk.com………….
This article talks about the photos coming from the new James Webb Deep Space Telescope, and how they certainly reflect the awesomeness and creativity of our Creator! From blogger Andrea at A View of the Lake………….
| God wants to be seen God is, without special theophanies, seen everywhere by those who long have lived for him. No doubt God wants us to see him. That is a part of his nature as outpouring love. Love always wants to be known. Thus he seeks for those who could safely and rightly worship him. God wants to be present to our minds with all the force of objects given clearly to ordinary perception.From The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God. Copyright © 1997 by Dallas Willard. All rights reserved. Used with permission of HarperCollins Publishers. |
Here is a wonderful article that immerses us in thoughts about the Son of God incarnate, Jesus. From Eternal Perspectives Ministries……..
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/randyalcorn/2021/07/his-name-jesus/
A big part of this blog, and my other blog at https:averagechristiannet.net is to encourage others. Thus, I was drawn to this article, and appreciate insights. From CoreChristianity.com……….
https://corechristianity.com/resource-library/articles/7-tips-for-becoming-a-better-encourager/
Guardrails on the highway are meant to protect us and keep us on the right road. Well, there are guardrails to be aware of in our study of Scripture and theology. From ReasonableTheology.org……..
https://reasonabletheology.org/guardrails-for-studying-theology/
The other day I posted an article in this series that focused on the idea that we as believers are smart enough to study the Bible. Now, this post is about having time to study. From Knowable Word………..
https://www.knowableword.com/2022/07/22/you-have-enough-time-to-study-the-bible/
Since I have a lot of gray hairs, this article piqued my interest! From Crosswalk.com…………
https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/seniors/what-does-the-bible-say-about-gray-hair.html
This is an excellent mini-biography of C.S. Lewis, which also contains a collection of 25 of his most famous and impactful quotes. From Crosswalk.com……….
I have been learning slowly that God designed us to be dependent on Him, and He loves it when we trust in His strength and wisdom. Here then are some verses to help us lean into the Lord. From Crosswalk.com………..
Here is an excellent short devotional on the “one another” passages in the New Testament, but contrasting with the judgmental, critical and unkind “one anothers” that are not in the Bible. From pastor and author Ray Ortlund at TheGospelCoalition.org…….
This means, while we as believers can know many things about God, as creatures, we can never fully understand God. And that’s a good thing! From PlaceforTruth.org…………
This article talks about some specific times that Jesus warned or cautioned His followers. From Crosswalk.com…………
The title of this excellent article refers to the location of the Good Shepherd in Psalm 23: He leads His sheep, He walks beside them and He goes behind to insure they arrive safe and sound. From Well-Watered Women………
https://wellwateredwomen.com/before-us-beside-us-and-behind-us/
This article delves into the meaning of what this verse discusses — being led by the Holy Spirit. From Crosswalk.com……….
This article stresses that we don’t have to read our Bible, we get to. From Knowable Word…….
https://www.knowableword.com/2022/07/18/you-dont-have-to-read-the-bible-every-day/
I really enjoyed this article, because just like the author, I love astronomy and was more than a little fascinated when the first images from the James Webb Space Telescope were recently published. How this reflects on our magnificent Creator! From Crossway.org…………
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/enormous-universe-james-webb-telescope/
When we go through times of loss and grief, as a parent, you must not only deal with your own personal grief, but you also have the responsibility to help your child handle their grief in an honest and healthy manner. This article briefly discusses four principles for parents to work from in helping their children with loss. From Biblical Counseling Coalition……….
This article takes a fascinating look at the lessons to be learned from a certain section of the Book of Jonah that I have never heard in a sermon before. From OpentheBible.org…………
https://openthebible.org/article/the-story-of-the-vine-the-worm-and-the-wind/?s=09
paint-and-pen.com 