How should I respond to the motivations of others when it comes to getting the Message of Jesus out?
How should I respond to the motivations of others when it comes to getting the Message of Jesus out? Is …
Category Archives: God Thoughts
“And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” ~Luke
The joy I have, in Jesus my Master, is a gift from God. I don’t screw my courage and become …
“My house was designated a house of prayer for the nations; You’ve turned it into a hangout for thieves.” ~Jesus
Jesus has a message for me. The house of God is a place of prayer, for everyone. It is not …
“Why are you trying to kill me?” ~Jesus
Jesus is in the confounding business. Jesus knows what He is talking about and that is disconcerting to many. Some …
“In whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the good news of the glory of the Messiah, who is the image of God.” ~Apostle Paul
The glory of God is the beauty of His spirit. It is not an aesthetic beauty or a material beauty, …
God is God. His word is always true. We can count on it.
Originally posted on Christian Training Center International:
God means what He says. What God says is important. What He says is not to…
“We pondered your love-in-action … ” ~Sons of Korah
I need to think about God. That is the main thing. More important though, I need to think about God’s …
“Watch out for the doomsday deceivers.” ~Jesus
I need to watch out. I can be deceived. I can be led astray. Faith can falter and waiver. I …
Is there such a thing as a Sabbath-rest?
How important is rest? God needed it and got it. Jesus needed it and got it. I need it as well. And good …
“This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” ~The People
The Messiah is anticipated by the Jewish people as the Prophet of God. Jesus is that Prophet. Jesus the Messiah …
“Through the Spirit, the Messiah offered himself as an unblemished sacrifice, freeing us from all those dead-end efforts to make ourselves respectable, so that we can live all out for God.” ~Author of Hebrews
Jesus shattered the old way of doing things. I love that. I need to hear that message over and over …
“Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.” ~Apostle Peter
It is possible to submit outwardly and yet not be humbled inwardly. God hates the sin of pride, and He …
“Always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the good news from the first day until now.” ~Apostle Paul
Am I offering prayers filled with joy? Am I a partner in the joy of the good news? Am I …
“I’m writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way, I’m drawing a map to Righteous Road.” ~King Solomon
I want wisdom. I am on a journey. If I am careful, I might get lost. There are lots of …
Does Jesus bring healing and wholeness into our lives?
Here is good news. Jesus heals the sick and the demon possessed. Jesus does it all the time. Jesus is …
“You are the man!” ~Nathan
God gives strength to his people. He enables them to be courageous through his gift of faith. God proves himself …
Does God show His goodness in keeping His promises?
God is good in that I can count on His word. God is faithful. God will keep His promises. God …
“During this time, the disciples were increasing in numbers by leaps and bounds.” ~Luke
Good things are happening. People are choosing to follow Jesus every day. The numbers are exploding. The Apostles are proclaiming …
What does the Bible say about helping the poor and homeless?
Most disciples of Jesus believe we are to help the poor but how are we to make good judgments on …
“And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” ~Luke
We seem a little reluctant to talk about the ecstatic experience. Is that for mystics and weirdo’s I think? Maybe …
“First things first. Your business is life, not death. Follow me. Pursue life.” ~Jesus
I think I am making a reasonable request of Jesus. It seems logical to me. Surely Jesus will understand. Jesus …
“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” ~Author of Hebrews
I have missed God’s goal for my life (aka sin). A penalty must be paid. Jesus, the innocent lamb of …
Does Jesus have authority over sin?
I miss God’s goal for my life (aka sin). I sin. I need forgiveness. I need a pardon. Jesus stands …
“There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” ~Jesus
What a treasure we have in the joy that Jesus brings into our lives. God has a country. Jesus is …
Is hypocrisy a tendency to judge others inappropriately?
I have to be careful. My nature, along with all of us, is one that is fallen, and I constantly …
“Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of hope, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” ~Author of Hebrews
I must prepare myself spiritually to fellowship with God. The Old Testament priest had to go through various washings and …
Should evil and wickedness be tolerated?
God is holy. God does not tolerate evil and wickedness. What is my job when I encounter evil and wickedness? …
“Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” ~Jesus
I want to be a part of the country where Jesus is King (aka the Kingdom of God). I really …
Does false teaching and doctrine cause division for disciples of Jesus?
I must be careful. It is easy to get confused and stumble around. I have been brought out of slavery …
“May your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Master Jesus the Messiah.” ~Apostle Paul
I need to focus more on being blameless. The Apostle Paul shows that being blameless is a result of my …
Is meekness a necessary characteristic of a disciple of Jesus?
Jesus calls on me to be humble, gentle and meek. It is a requirement and not optional. Arrogance and all …
“Don’t bicker among yourselves over me. You’re not in charge here.” ~Jesus
The Jewish people were arguing over Jesus: “Isn’t this the son of Joseph? Don’t we know his father? Don’t we know …
Do disciples continue Jesus the Messiah’s mission?
The mission of the church is to make disciples. Just before Jesus returned to heaven, He commissioned His disciples this …
“Remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first.” ~Jesus
Repentance (radically changing my mind) is of central importance because missing God’s goal (sin) brings God’s judgment. Fellowship with God …
Must a true prophet’s word will be fulfilled?
I must be careful. There are many who proclaim “thus says the Master”. How can I know if they are …
“Applause, everyone. Bravo, bravissimo! Shout God-songs at the top of your lungs! God Most High is stunning, astride land and ocean.” ~Sons of Korah
Now here is a good word. God, our most High God, is stunning. So is His Son Jesus. So is …
How was Jesus able to drive demons out at a distance? How does Jesus rebuke demons?
The Bible speaks of demons as real, actual beings. However, Scripture’s depiction of demons is very different from the popular …
“Rejoice in the Master always; again I will say, rejoice!” ~Apostle Paul
Jesus wants me to glad, joyful and happy. Jesus paid the price for my missing God’s goal (aka sin). I …
What does Jesus think about capitalism?
Jesus wants me to focus on the country where Jesus is in charge. That is the Kingdom of God. The …
“First, let me ask you a question.” ~Jesus
Jesus likes to ask questions. Jesus wants an answer. Jesus doesn’t answer to me. I answer to Jesus. I need …
Is God’s country here already? What should I do?
We keep looking. We think, someday we will go to heaven. We hold out hope. We trust in lots of …
“Fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” ~Jesus
I need to take God and His Son Jesus very seriously. There will be a day of judgement. There is …
Can anger be sin?
My mission, given to me by Jesus, is to love. That is it. That should be my day. That should …
“So, friends, we can now — without hesitation — walk right up to God, into “the Holy Place.” ~Author of Hebrews
This is so encouraging. I, because of what Jesus has done, can go right up to God. I don’t need …
Why did the religious elites question Jesus on matters of the law?
The religious elites are constantly trying to trap Jesus. I have to be careful. Legalism is insidious. I can slip …
“Encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” ~Apostle Paul
God is patient with sinners. Jesus perfectly models that for me. Jesus is my example. Jesus shows me the way. …
Is wealth and money security against God’s displeasure?
Jesus had a lot to say about the homeless, wealth, prosperity, poverty, riches, the poor, the needy and giving. Here …
I need to be on guard against people who introduce fantasy stories into the good news of Jesus.
I have to stay on top of things. I need focus. I can’t wander off. It can be a challenge. …
Can God’s character and purpose be discerned by human reason?
There are lots of things I can know about God. God created everything. I get that. But how did He …
“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” ~Apostle Paul
We love to eat fruit. We love the fruit and the juice. It gives us nourishment and refreshes us. May …
Is government established to prevent anarchy?
When there is no government, there is complete anarchy. God has established government to place a check on lawlessness. It …
“Good friend, don’t forget all I’ve taught you; take to heart my commands. They’ll help you live a long, long time, a long life lived full and well.” ~King Solomon
I want to live long. I want to live well. I want to live long. There is very good news. …
God is good and in a good mood. Laura’s story proves it!
The Background I am fortunate to meet some amazing people on Twitter. I recently met Laura in a very protracted …
“He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” ~Jesus
Does Jesus get angry and upset? Jesus the Messiah shows controlled emotion arising from his unswerving opposition to evil and …
How do we show respect for God’s name?
I am to respect God. I am to show respect for His holy name. I should not take His name …
“Those who put their trust in the Master were added right and left, men and women both.” ~Luke
Have I trusted in the Master Jesus? What a change occurred to the early disciples of Jesus. The power of …
Is Heaven the place of ultimate healing?
We go through a lot as a part of our human existence. I get sick. Sickness follows me from birth …
“You’re holding on to me for dear life! Don’t be frightened like that.” ~Jesus
And then Jesus met them. Imagine. They had witnessed Jesus being cruelly murdered. They had seen entombed. They came to …
Why did those who were healed by Jesus follow Him?
Jesus has healed me. What should I do? Just move on with life like it didn’t happen? Not at all. …
“Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you.” ~Apostle John
The surprises along the way are God’s surprises. He is never caught off guard or unprepared. He calls me to …
How do we show thankfulness for Jesus the Messiah?
I am so thankful to my Master Jesus, the Messiah. I want to shout. I sing about His greatness. I …
“There is no way to get rid of this kind of demon except by prayer.” ~Jesus
Jesus has to step in to solve a very real problem. That is the way of Jesus. He just doesn’t …
Can we magnify God through our praise?
I must give God a big shout out! God is beautiful. God is stunning. God is awesome! Now here is …
“I am willing; be cleansed.” ~Jesus
I have a lot to learn from Jesus. Jesus is gentle and shows compassion. Jesus has compassion for those in …
Should our plans be subject to God’s will?
Jesus is clear. In his manifesto (Matthew 5-7), Jesus tells us to pray like this: “Your will be done, on …
“I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” ~Apostle John
There is great joy when our brothers and sisters walk in the truth of the Master Jesus. I want to …
Does Jesus the Messiah purify believers?
I confess to God that I have missed His goal for my life (aka sin). That has me walking in …
“I’m telling you this straight. The Son can’t independently do a thing, only what he sees the Father doing.” ~Jesus
Jesus has just completed a stunning miracle. A man had been disabled for 38 years, unable to walk. Jesus healed …
Are God’s purposes always accomplished?
God is God. Nothing is impossible with God. His plan will be accomplished. I can count on it. I may …
“Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” ~God
Family is extremely important in the Bible, both in a physical sense and in a spiritual sense. The foundation of …
35 Questions that Jesus Asks in the Good News According to John
It is stunning how masterfully our Master Jesus, the Messiah, uses questions (read more here) to teach vital spiritual truths. …
“God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him.” ~Sons of Korah
I can trust God. God provides me a safe place. Some days we all need a refuge or even a …
What does faithfulness look like in serving others?
I am to do good to all people. I must be faithful to God’s goal to love my neighbor. I …
“To the pure, all things are pure.” ~Apostle Paul
Jesus challenges me. “Happy are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” To the pure, all things are …
Is purity of motive essential for acceptable worship of God?
I must have a pure heart. Jesus is clear on that. I can’t see God without a pure heart. Is …
“Today is salvation day in this home!” ~Jesus
Jesus says that today is salvation day. Imagine hearing those words from the Master Jesus. You would have to pick …
Should we be amazed at God’s actions and His marvelous deeds?
I am constantly amazed and stunned at how good God is and beautiful His works are. He has done wonderful …
“The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.” ~King David
Joy is something we all long for but that often seems difficult to grab hold of. Experiencing joy should be …
Will our resurrection have us completely united to Jesus the Messiah in His resurrection?
I have been baptized. That unites me with the death, burial and resurrection of my Master Jesus. I live a …
“Jesus humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” ~Apostle Paul
Jesus was not wrestling with God’s will or resisting God’s will. Jesus is obedient. He was yielding Himself to God’s …
In His life on earth, was Jesus a friend to those who miss God’s goal for their life?
I miss God’s goal for my life (aka sin or sinning). That is my natural state. Does this bother Jesus? …
“By faith, we see the world called into existence by God’s word, what we see created by what we don’t see.” ~Author of Hebrews
God is God. God created the universe and everything we know of. God did it through His word. God just …
Is Jesus opposed by family and friends?
Jesus encounters lots of opposition. There are a lot of Jesus-deniers out there. Am I one of them? Jesus the …
“God gives out wisdom free, is plain spoken in knowledge and understanding.” ~King Solomon
God is ready, willing and able to give me wisdom. God makes it clear and is plain spoken. There is …
Are rulers God’s servants to do good and restrain evil?
God is clear. I must recognize that authority comes from God. This is a foundational principle. I am challenged by …
“Whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.” ~Apostle Paul
Jesus paid the price for my having missed God’s goal (aka sin) for my life. A penalty had to be …
Is legalism contrary to the good news of Jesus?
I fall into the trap of thinking that if I just follow the rules, I will be seen as good …
“I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” ~Jesus
Full disclosure. I have been divorced and have remarried. Jesus has some very clear instructions on marriage and divorce. This …
Was Jesus the Messiah’s mission one of preaching and teaching?
I am a disciple of Jesus. That means I must learn from Jesus. Jesus was one a mission to preach …
“For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.” ~James
Can I pass the test? Let’s call it the mercy test. Jesus orders me to be merciful. Am I? Jesus …
Is the call to exercise forgiveness a principle of life?
My mission, given to me by God, is to love. In order to love, I need to learn how to …
“Why does this generation clamor for miraculous guarantees?” ~Jesus
Prove it! The religious elites want “proof”. The atheists clamor for “proof”. Some days, so do I. It is an …
Can we find in God and his word resources to overcome temptation?
God is good. God is good all the time. I struggle with temptation. I know all followers of our Master …
“For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man.” ~Apostle Paul
The believer has an old nature that wants to keep him in bondage; “I will get free from these old …
Is the gift of the Spirit for all believers?
I have the power of the Holy Spirit in my life. It is a gift from Jesus. There is nothing …
“Give me a drink.” ~Jesus
Jesus is tired and thirsty. That is it. That is how the conversation started. Of course, our Master’s request was …
Is faith strengthened through testing?
There is much to be said about faith. So … we start with God. God is the object of my …
“God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” ~Apostle Paul
Now here is some good news. God is faithful. I can count on God and Jesus, His Son. God is …
Does justice come through the Holy Spirit of God?
The Holy Spirit convicts me. I miss God’s goal for my life (aka sin) and the Holy Spirit of God …
“And to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” ~Roman Centurion to Jesus
The Centurion understood authority. He had slaves. Slaves do what they are told. Do I get this? Do I do …
