God is more interested in your dependence upon Him than your obedience to Him! This tweet showed up on my feed. Like much of what bubbles up in the twitterverse, there was no context to nuance or qualify it—just a bare bones proclamation about what our Father is truly concerned with. And it’s my perception thatContinue reading “Dependence and Obedience”
Tag Archives: Jesus
The Second Mile Attitude
I remember watching an NFL playoff game between Seattle and Minnesota. The game was in Minneapolis and the temperature at game time was – 6! (It did warm up during the game to at least -2). Most of the players (especially the offensive and defensive lineman) were wearing short sleeves. Part of the reason forContinue reading “The Second Mile Attitude”
Putting Our Weight Down On Jesus
Faith is how we overcome the world (1 John 5:4-5)—but what did John mean when he wrote these words? He didn’t mean we overcome by virtue of anything that we have done—even if we have done some good things and been used by God in some important and significant ways. God has no problem praisingContinue reading “Putting Our Weight Down On Jesus”
Grace and Coming to God
Our situation is this—we’re drowning in an ocean of our sins and misdeeds. None of us are “one sin” sinners, we’re all repeat offenders. If we’re to be saved, it won’t be because we do it ourselves. We’re too far from land, too weak to swim long, and too much in touch with reality to think otherwise. If weContinue reading “Grace and Coming to God”
The Best Thing About Church
The best thing about the church isn’t its cutting edge methodologies, its seeker sensitivities, or its involvement in the latest, greatest, social cause. It’s not its ministries, outreach, or benevolence. Neither is it Lord’s Suppers, sweet singing, or humble prayers. The best thing about the church isn’t its presence on social media, hospitality, or smallContinue reading “The Best Thing About Church”
And What Gets You Out of Bed?
The Sabbath had been anything but a day of rest for Him who was its Lord! He had taught in the synagogue, casting an evil spirit out of one of the people there. Then He retreated to the home of Peter and Andrew where He healed Peter’s mother-in-law. After darkness set in there was a knock at the door—”theContinue reading “And What Gets You Out of Bed?”
Hypocrisy and Heart-Guarding
Hypocrisy is one of those words that’s easy to bandy about with little or no thought as to what the word actually means. It’s an extreme term that tends to be over-employed because people want to show their outrage or throw a verbal hand grenade (as opposed to being accurate and truthful in their speech).Continue reading “Hypocrisy and Heart-Guarding”
The Fear of (Not) Falling
Years ago when we were living in east central Alabama, our oldest daughter Amy (who lives in Raleigh, North Carolina), let us know that they would be coming to Birmingham (2 hours away) for a wedding. Naturally, we were excited about the opportunity to see them. As it worked out, we were able to spend someContinue reading “The Fear of (Not) Falling”
Dealing with the Detested
They detested the manna. That’s what Israel told God in Numbers 21:5. You remember they had been given the food in response to their grumbling (Exodus 16). After a while, they became bored with the blessing (Numbers 11), and then they reached the point of detesting it. As with all ungrateful people, they didn’t realizeContinue reading “Dealing with the Detested”
Alive but not Liberated
It’s possible to be alive without being liberated. Under the old covenant, someone who had committed manslaughter could flee to one of the six cities of refuge in Israel (Numbers 35). There their case would be adjudicated by an assembly to determine whether the killing had been premeditated or accidental. If the death was determinedContinue reading “Alive but not Liberated”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 