Thoughts on Christ and His Word

Taking risks for God and his kingdom is scary, but can be very rewarding. John Ortberg writes: It is the very fact that the outcome [of our actions] is unknown that gives courage and hope and daring meaning. If the outcome were always known ahead of time, there would be no point in playing the game. Not-knowing is our fear, and our growth. - from "When the Game is Over, It all Goes Back in the Box > It reminded me of something God showed me a long time ago (in August of 2004 to be precise). Having my time with God by the lake near my house in Miami, I was struck by these words uttered by Mordecai, Esther's cousin: > And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? Esther 4:14b > This reveals that while Mordecai had no direct promise of God or command of God to tell Esther to go to the king and deliver Israel from its enemies, he sensed and was convinced that this was her duty. He believed God would deliver the Jews, but he wasn't s...

"If your goal is purity of heart, be prepared to be thought very odd." -Elisabeth Elliot > Recently someone questioned my definition of "sexual immorality". In my messages on holiness and sexual purity I define sexual immorality as "any sexual activity that is outside of marriage." So if I am willfully engaging in some act with another person (not my wife) that is sexually stimulating I would consider it a sexually immoral act. > I later went to my Bible dictionaries to see if perhaps I had misunderstood this topic or strayed from what is doctrinally sound or accurate. So here's the most detailed definition I found ("fornication" is the old English word; modern translations like the NIV use "sexual immorality") > FORNICATION — sexual relationships outside the bonds of marriage. The technical distinction between fornication and ADULTERY is that adultery involves married persons while fornication involves those who are unma...

This will be my third visit to you. "Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." 2 I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, 3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you , but is powerful among you. 4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him to serve you. 2 Corinthians 13:1-4 > Paul wrote that he would "not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others " because Christ was not weak, but powerful in dealing with habitual, pervasive and gross sin in the church. > What sin was Paul talking about? The sins of "many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have...