Archive | Spiritual Growth

Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. (Habakkuk 3: 2 NIV) Reflection December 30, 2013. The final blog of this year. Time to celebrate Releasing Truth’s first year in existence. Our website went live New Years Eve 2012. Reflection of highlights come during final days of the year. The book of Habakkuk came to mind. He saw injustice, violence, and evil in his own country. Habakkuk sought God with questions and God responded with answers. He […]

  Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from God his Savior. (Psalm 24: 3-5 NIV) Confusion A commentator last week stated: “Don’t all religious people think everything is a sin?” We have an enormous amount of confusion in this world. I think about our brothers and sisters in Christ from other nations who hunger and thirst after righteousness. I watch our nation […]

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the Earth! You have set your glory above the Heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You […]

All spoke well of HIm and were amazed at the gracious words that came from His lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked. (Luke 4:22 NIV) Customs Being a Jew, customs were expected to be followed. Jesus returned to Nazareth. Was He willing to be politically correct? His first public encounter came Sabbath day in the synagogue. He stood and read from the scroll of prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of […]

“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them. (Luke 2: 49,50 NIV) Lost? Twelve years later, Mary and Joseph traveled with Jesus to the Feast of the Passover. Returning back home with relatives and friends, they realized Jesus was not with them. A frantic search began. Travel back to Jerusalem, three days later he was found in the temple courts. Everyone hearing him was amazed at his understanding and questions he asked. Not quite everyone… “Son, why have […]

  The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Luke 2: 33-35 NIV) Marvel Marveled is a perfect adjective to describe the feeling when God does something phenominal in our lives. This feeling never changes…rather God lifting one out of the pit of […]

They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.” Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began speak, praising God. (Luke 1: 61-64 NIV) Christ’s image Doubt left Zechariah speechless, literally. He spent nine months silent. We spin as time lapses during doubt/disobedience. Can you imagine while spinning, how many situations are apt to become […]