Archive | Spiritual Growth

For the scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore, God has mercy on whom he wants have mercy and he hardens whom he wants to harden. (Romans 9: 17, 18 NIV) God’s Sovereignty  The more we study God’s Word, the more we learn God’s sovereignty. God’s supreme power is authority over Heaven and earth. Even arch-angel Lucifer’s exit from Heaven to rule earth as satan, God remains in charge. He has mercy on whom He […]

All these are beginning of birth pains. Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. (Matthew 24:8,9 NIV) Danger Have you had someone to divert you from danger? As a little girl I loved to attend farm duties with my dad. One day we walked through a field checking cattle with my uncle. My uncle must have eagle’s eyes. Within a split second he lifted me over a snake. Yes, I was about to step on a snake. In the same intensity my uncle […]

  “…No weapon formed against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord. (Isaiah 54:17 NIV) God’s love Oh Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would out number the grains of sand.(Psalm 139:17,18 NIV) Jesus died on the rugged cross as the ultimate sacrifice. God’s thoughts for all individuals out number the […]

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything  I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 18-20 NIV) Gift of the Holy Spirit Soon after Jesus spoke these words, He ascended to heaven. He took his place at the right hand of God, the Father. Disciples […]

Later Jesus appeared to the eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. (Mark 16: 14 NIV) Rebuke (not a bad word) Monday’s blog must have impacted drivers in my area. Yesterday, every time I came upon a red light, right lanes moved faster. I was amazed, maybe just a coincidence. Let’s pray same situation occurs in our churches. However, many times we find truth hard to believe. Jesus rebuked his own disciples. These men were leaders in training, not new members […]

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have enough room for the books that would be written. (John 21:25 NIV) Pondering… Have you ever pulled towards a red light where the lane on the right would be extended several vehicles back vs. the left lane? This happens to me often, I wonder…why would anyone want to sit back in that line when they could pull to the left and move forward quicker? We all have situations we ponder, even possible mistakes we’ve made. […]

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” (John 21: 4,5 NIV) Delay One of the most profound blogs I’ve written was this past Wednesday. Understanding scripture is sequential to everyday life, gaining knowledge of Biblical truth. Talk about resistance when a server is down. Blog was not published in routine time. I apologize for delays. Instead of stressing, I decide to keep my joy. By keeping my joy, the enemy was defeated. Stronger we grow in Biblical truth, […]

Then he (Jesus) opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning with Jerusalem…” (Luke 24: 45-47 NIV) Discouragement  I’ve heard frustration from Christian friends attempting to read the Bible, they do not understand. Disciples were not always understanding. And they were with Jesus. Discouragement comes from no other, the devil. He tries to hold his grip on individuals as long as he […]

The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priest and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. (Matthew 27: 62-64a NIV) Status Quo And now, the rest of the story, a quote made famous by Paul Harvey. Jesus was seen as a deceiver by the chief priest and Pharisees. His death meant an end to their problem. Jesus would no longer present a threat […]

“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” What is truth?”  Pilate asked. (John 18: 37-38a NIV) Good Friday Pilate, caught in the middle, like many today. He found no basis for the implied charges. Chief priest accused Jesus of many things. What was Pilate to do? He could either do what he knew was right, free Jesus, or follow […]