Should we take revenge?
Great message (and short video) from John Piper on bitterness. When I harbor feelings of vengeance, I show that I …
Tag Archives: Apostle Paul Sayings
“These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” ~Apostle Paul
Why this is important: God doesn’t hold anything back from us. God gives us the full report about what life …
What is God’s master plan for our lives? Can we know it?
God has a master plan for us all. I can tap into it and know the special assignment He has …
Why is God’s goal for us is to do everything in love?
Sometimes I am stunned by the simplicity of how God speaks to us. Through Paul He gave it to us …
What do we do for a living?
Paul made tents for a living. It wasn’t how he defined his work. His work was to help people understand …
“I, Paul, am under God’s plan as an apostle, a special agent of the Messiah Jesus, writing to you faithful believers in Ephesus.” ~Apostle Paul
God has a plan for us. Under His plan, we are special agents of Jesus. His assignments for us aren’t …
Is humility easy?
Humility isn’t easy. Jesus challenges me to love and think of others first. That is it. Nothing else. Jesus knows …
Should we lend a hand to those who falter? What is strength for?
My oh my, there is some misguided thinking going on in this world. God has a goal for us. We …
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” ~Apostle Paul
If you consider yourself an atheist with a sincere interest in truth, there are several things about being a disciple …
“If anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.” ~Apostle Paul
Our friends in Jesus are amazing. We are to look out for our brothers and sisters. Paul presents a hypothetical …
Is the peace of Jesus ruling my heart?
Some things just aren’t forced on us. We can have it or we can not. God isn’t just going to …
“From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” ~Apostle Paul
God goes to the Jewish people first. He declares that the good news message be proclaimed to Jews first. Nothing …
“Now the Messiah has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep” ~Apostle Paul
I believe that Jesus, the anointed Messiah of God, was crucified in my place, to pay my penalty for missing …
I am bankrupt without love!
This scripture blows me away. There is a question to be asked. Jesus wants to know. What is important? Not …
Why should we obey our government and leaders?
This is pretty straight forward. We are to be responsible. We are to respect our leaders. We are to pay …
Will we give up? These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times!
Sometimes it seems like we just can’t make it. Yet, perseverance rules the day. Even if it looks like things …
Is what “we have” in terms of riches of any value to God?
Panic over money is greed’s cousin. Am I content with what I have? Do I have enough to eat and …
“This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message.” ~Apostle Paul
Paul made tents for a living. It wasn’t how he defined his work. His work was to help people understand …
“You have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.” ~Apostle Paul
I have to be careful. My nature, along with all of us, is one that is fallen, and I constantly …
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” ~Apostle Peter
God is holy. God does not tolerate evil and wickedness. What is my job when I encounter evil and wickedness? …
“You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine” ~Apostle Paul
I must be careful. It is easy to get confused and stumble around. I have been brought out of slavery …
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.” ~Apostle Paul
Jesus calls on me to be humble, gentle and meek. It is a requirement and not optional. Arrogance and all …
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” ~Apostle Paul
My mission, given to me by Jesus, is to love. That is it. That should be my day. That should …
“Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” ~Apostle Paul
Jesus had a lot to say about the homeless, wealth, prosperity, poverty, riches, the poor, the needy and giving. Here …
“Hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.“ ~Apostle Paul
There are lots of things I can know about God. God created everything. I get that. But how did He …
“For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil.” ~Apostle Paul
When there is no government, there is complete anarchy. God has established government to place a check on lawlessness. It …
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” ~Apostle Paul
We go through a lot as a part of our human existence. I get sick. Sickness follows me from birth …
“What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Master Jesus.” ~Apostle Paul
Am I ready to die for Jesus? That is a serious question to address. It gets to the core of …
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in the Messiah Jesus.” ~Apostle Paul
I am so thankful to my Master Jesus, the Messiah. I want to shout. I sing about His greatness. I …
“Let us do good to all people” ~Apostle Paul
I am to do good to all people. I must be faithful to God’s goal to love my neighbor. I …
“Now if we have died with the Messiah, we believe that we shall also live with Him.” ~Apostle Paul
I have been baptized. That unites me with the death, burial and resurrection of my Master Jesus. I live a …
“A man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in the Messiah Jesus” ~Apostle Paul
I fall into the trap of thinking that if I just follow the rules, I will be seen as good …
“Don’t be alarmed, because the boy’s alive.” ~Apostle Paul
This is a stunning story about Paul’s preaching. To say he could be long winded is a huge understatement. I …
“Through Jesus we received both the generous gift of his life and the urgent task of passing it on to others who receive it by entering into obedient trust in Jesus.” ~Apostle Paul
I have been given an assignment. God has things he wants me to do. Some of that got started with …
“We, of course, have plenty of wisdom to pass on to you but it’s not popular wisdom, the fashionable wisdom of high-priced experts that will be out-of-date in a year or so.” ~Apostle Paul
Do I have my feet on firm spiritual ground? Or am I just seeking popular wisdom? God has plenty of …
“For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse.” ~Apostle Paul
It isn’t that atheists, agnostics and unbelievers don’t know God exists. They do. There is plenty of evidence that they …
“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.” ~ Apostle Paul
We seem a little reluctant to talk about the ecstatic experience. Is that for mystics and weirdo’s, I think? I …
“I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds” ~Apostle Paul
I am so thankful that God is patient with me. God gives me every opportunity to radically change my mind …
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” ~Apostle Paul
It is easy to get frustrated some days. I believe I am proclaiming the message of Jesus. Not everyone is …
“It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that the Messiah Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.” ~Apostle Paul
I am always looking for trustworthy statements. They get my attention. I have missed God’s goal for my life (aka …
“I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of the Messiah Jesus.” ~Apostle Paul
I have received the very mercy of God. Mercifulness is an attitude of compassion and care, grounded in the nature …
“Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Master.” ~Apostle Paul
I have a job. It is to be obedient to my parents. There was a point in time where that …
“For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of God’s sons.” ~Apostle Paul
Now here is some very good news. I am a child of God. All of us who follow Jesus are …
“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in the Messiah also has forgiven you.” ~Apostle Paul
God’s goal for me is to be kind, thoughtful and caring. I am to love. That is the main thing …
“We have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” ~Apostle Paul
I have a goal. It is given to me by God. I must focus on pleasing God. Jesus leads the …
“For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” ~Apostle Paul
There is good news! I have peace with God through the blood that Jesus shed on the cross. I was …
“Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” ~Apostle Paul
Jesus calls on me to love. That requires that I do good deeds. We not only share God’s grace, but …
“How you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for his Son from heaven.” ~Apostle Paul
We live in world of covetousness and idolatry. Money, self-indulgence, hedonism, materialism, agnosticism and atheism reign. I am regularly asked …
“Hard times will come in the last days. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, … lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people.” ~Apostle Paul
I have to be careful. Materialistic seduction can happen. I live in America and that is clear. If materialism was …
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” ~Apostle Paul
The secret to unity begins with how I view myself within the body of Jesus and how I view others. …
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” ~Apostle Paul
My speech has an enormous influence for good or ill and is a sure guide to character. The power of …
“Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good.” ~Apostle Paul
Hatred is a strong negative reaction; a feeling toward someone considered an enemy, possibly indicating volatile hostility. I am not …
“I am not ashamed of the good news, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” ~Apostle Paul
The good news of Jesus and His Heavenly Father are absolutely complete. I am aware that many want to add …
“How can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elements? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again?” Apostle Paul
Will I turn my back on grace and return to religious rules, regulations and a legalistic culture? What will happen …
“And we’re here today bringing you good news: the Message that what God promised the fathers has come true for the children—for us! He raised Jesus.” ~Apostle Paul
The Apostle Paul lays out the core message of good news for me. Jesus died for me and was raised …
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” ~Apostle Paul
So what is grace? It is the gift of God that brings joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, and loveliness into our life. I …
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” ~Apostle Paul
Creation matters. Atheists reject God and reject God as the creator. If they don’t, their whole worldview collapses. In reality, …
“We call Jesus Master by the Spirit of God.” ~Apostle Paul
Master (Lord) is a title that signifies Jesus the Messiah’s absolute authority and the basis on which people may know …
“Because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” ~Apostle Paul
Jesus gave the apostles great power. It was stunning. The sick were being healed. What was their message, based on …
“And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Master Jesus the Messiah, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.”
In Christian thought, the act by which God and man are brought together in personal relationship. The term is derived …
“And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” ~Apostle Paul
I want more hope in my life. It supercharges my faith. It is the energizer bunny to me. It takes …
“In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change.” ~Apostle Paul
You have a passion for Jesus. You want to do the right thing for His disciples. You believe in a …
“How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher?” ~Apostle Paul
There is much controversy in our culture today surrounding followers of Jesus who own businesses being forced to photograph gay …
“There are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the good news of the Messiah.” ~Apostle Paul
I must be careful. It is easy to get confused and stumble around. I have been brought out of slavery …
“Now the works of the flesh are obvious: … strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, and anything similar. I am warning you that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” ~Apostle Paul
I get jealous. I get angry. One can lead to the other. The parable of the prodigal son is a …
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in the Messiah Jesus.” ~Apostle Paul
God has a plan for me. Now that is some very good news. I am shouting for joy over that. …
“We also exult in God through our Master Jesus the Messiah, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” ~Apostle Paul
When we accept Jesus as our Master and commit to be a disciple, we are ecstatic. Joy is ours beyond …
“But Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works.” ~Apostle Paul
I fall into the trap of thinking that if I just follow the rules, I will be seen as good …
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in the Messiah, God forgave you.” ~Apostle Paul
Jesus is all about forgiveness. That is the reason God sent him to us. I need forgiveness and the good …
“Having confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all.” ~Apostle Paul
There is something I’ve noticed about followers of Jesus and His disciples. They are just plain happy folks. They are …
“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, …
“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 …
“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 …
“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 …
“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. …
“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 …
“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 …
“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 …
“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 …
“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 …
“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 …
“Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images . . .” ~Apostle Paul
I want wisdom. It is important to my daily walk with Jesus. I am called to be a learner (aka …
“For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death.” ~Apostle Paul
Jesus is first in my life. Jesus is preeminent. Jesus comes before anything else. Let it be so! So, I …
“The fruit of the Spirit is self-control.” ~Apostle Paul
The last characteristic listed in Galatians 5:22-23 as a fruit of the Spirit is self-control. The fruit of the Spirit …
“Jesus gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.” ~Apostle Paul
What is the good news message that Paul has for me? Jesus the Messiah gave himself for my missing God’s …
“Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father.” ~Apostle Paul
Old age is generally held in honor and the aged in society are to be respected. Because of the wisdom …
“Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts.” ~Apostle Paul
I am so glad that God has adopted me. Jesus has broken the bondage of slavery and given my His …
“The kindness of God leads you to radically change how you think (aka repentance).” ~Apostle Paul
When I exhibit the kindness of God, I am tender, benevolent, and useful to others. Every action, every word will …
“But a man must examine himself.” ~Apostle Paul
I need to be careful. I need to examine myself and not look at others as missing God’s goal. I …
“Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” ~Apostle Paul
When I see Jesus, I see God the Father. Now that is VERY good news. That is in fact … …
“Resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, the Messiah Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” ~Apostle Paul
I start with Jesus. I must. That is where wisdom starts. King Solomon teaches me that “The fear of the …
“For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiah and God.” ~Apostle Paul
I covet what other people have like their house or their car, their job or anything that a neighbor has. …
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men.” ~Apostle Paul
Grace is the undeserved kindness of God. I am so grateful for what God has done for me. It is …
“For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.” ~Apostle Paul
Joy is something that I must work at. It is a fruit, needs cultivation, water, fertilizer and more. Neglect can …
“Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches.” ~Apostle Paul
I must come to a basic understanding about wealth. Jesus is challenging me. So is the Apostle Paul. Riches are …
“Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.” ~Apostle Paul
I belong to the body of the Messiah. Now that is stunning. I must be transparent and speak the truth. …
“It is the Master Jesus, the Messiah, whom you are a slave to.” ~Apostle Paul
It is hard to get the issue of being a slave in my mind. In the Greek-speaking world of the first …
“For we are His workmanship — spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used for good works, which God prepared for us beforehand.” ~Apostle Paul
I am a part of God’s “new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17), and God continues to work in me to make …
“Attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, the Messiah Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” ~Apostle Paul
God wants me to have knowledge of Him and what He expects of me. In order to obey Him, I …
“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of the Messiah.” ~Apostle Paul
There is much to be said about self denial and the scripture repeats this theme over and over. Jesus is clear. The Apostles …
Jesus Quotes and God Thoughts 