“Thus says the Lord: ‘What wrong did your fathers find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthlessness, and became worthless?'” (ESV – Read the chapter)
When someone rejects God, there’s a reason for it. That seems like it should be obvious, but perhaps it’s not so obvious as it should be. If someone has been exposed to the Gospel and then left it for something else, there’s a reason for it. Read the rest…
ing”Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.” (ESV – Read the chapter)
One of the things that begins to become clear throughout the Scriptures is that we become like the thing we worship. Whoever or whatever it is that we give our highest devotion gradually shapes us to more and more reflect its identity and character. Read the rest…
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (ESV – Read the chapter)
This is one of my favorite verses. It speaks of God’s long term intentions with us. When He starts something, He doesn’t ever leave it unfinished. When we give ourselves to Christ, the Holy Spirit begins in us a process by which we will eventually become fully reflective of the image of God in Christ Jesus. Everything He allows to happen to us from that point forward is aimed at that goal. They are aimed at growing in us the character of Christ. They are designed to prune out the dead branches in us in order to make room for the new, live, fruitful branches He has set to growing. Read the rest…
“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (ESV – Read the chapter)
There has been much attention given to the armor of God Paul describes here. I don’t need to try and re-say any of that. What I do want to point out, though, is an observation I have only ever heard once (although it has no doubt been made many more times). As you look at the various pieces of armor, there is not anything to protect our backsides. Our role in the kingdom is to push constantly forward for its advancement. There are not opportunities to turn back and move the other way. If we try, we are guaranteed to take a shot in the back. These will hurt a great deal more than anything we might face in front of us.
When it comes to our relationship with Jesus, things only move in one direction: Forward. What’s more, Jesus is always on the move. If we stand still, He will leave us behind. There are times for rest and He will provide that, but our way is always forward. This armor will do us no good if we don’t use it.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (ESV – Read the chapter)
Does it feel like it is more and more of a battle to be a follower of Jesus in the U.S. these days? Welcome to life for most of the rest of your brothers and sisters in Christ around the world and throughout history. Jesus followers have always tended to be more of a persecuted group than not. This really shouldn’t be much of a surprise either. Jesus Himself guaranteed it would happen. Read the rest…
The Nexus 