Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Old Testament

Am I Spirit-Filled and Controlled?

PSALM 136:1 – Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” Here is a quick one-question test – “How do Christians know they are filled with God’s Spirit and living under His control?” Yes, there are multiple scriptural answers and multiple wrong answers. One correct answer is found in today’s scripture. Before we identify it,…

Gospel Joy

PSALM 92:4 – For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.”   Joy is to characterize the Christian life. Christians are not to live grumpy lives. We are not to mope around with gloomy faces looking like a smile is rare or forced. Nor are Christians to give off…

Our God Never Changes

MALACHI 3:6 – For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. “   Aren’t we so glad for the truth in today’s scripture?  God changes not. He never experiences moodiness.  He never treats us based on “having a bad day” and is reactionary.  No, our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  And…

The Painful Hand of God’s Love

2 CHRONICLES 33:1-6, 10-13 – Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel. For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had…

When We Are Afraid

2 CHRONICLES 20:1-12 –  After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and, behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, Engedi). Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord,…