Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. (Col 3:20) The Enduring Word commentary says, “Paul has in mind children who are still in their parents’ household and under their authority. For these, they must not only honor their father and mother (as in Ephesians 6:2), but theyContinue reading “A couple thoughts on parenting…”
Tag Archives: live the Word
Because marriage is so good and so hard—
I’ve been posting about marriage the past couple of days. Wives submitting. Husbands loving. There’s been some emotion, and some strong opinions, to say the least. Because marriage is so GOOD and also so HARD, I’m sharing what God laid on my heart a while back— There absolutely will be the days your eyes meetContinue reading “Because marriage is so good and so hard—”
So, how well is your husband measuring up?
Husbands love your wives and do not be bitter towards them. (Col 3:19) And the Greek word Paul used for LOVE here is a really big deal— “Agapao does not denote affection or romantic attachment; it rather denotes caring love, a deliberate attitude of mind that concerns itself with the well-being of the one loved.”Continue reading “So, how well is your husband measuring up?”
What is submission? Let’s open a “can of worms”!
Wives submit to your own husbands as is fitting in the Lord.” (Col 3:18). Okay, let’s just skip that verse, because I know from just mentioning “submission”yesterday that I’m opening a big ole can of worms! I’m tempted to just move on, but I know my heart needs ALL the Word—not just the easy-to-do, feel-goodContinue reading “What is submission? Let’s open a “can of worms”!”
Often, we won’t see the miracle until we do this…
“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” (Col 3:18) Why didn’t Paul start with the next verse about husbands loving their wives? (Col 3:19) Does he have to be so direct? And aren’t words like “submit” out of style? Can’t we just ignore this? Not only is the call forContinue reading “Often, we won’t see the miracle until we do this…”
Here’s why many won’t share truth and the gospel-
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Col 3:17) If I’m doing something in the name of the Lord Jesus, I’m doing it His way and for His glory. If I’m trying to please men, I can’tContinue reading “Here’s why many won’t share truth and the gospel-“
How on earth do we forgive?
For the peace of God to rule in our hearts, and for us to walk in our new identity as Christians, we absolutely have to forgive others. “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone hasContinue reading “How on earth do we forgive?”
Put on some truth! Walk in FREEDOM!
Paul says we are to “put on the new man” which means putting to death our old sinful ways. (Col 3:5-11) And, you know “old sinful ways” sounds like not such a big deal, but when we go as far as to name the sins that we need to kill in our lives, it’s muchContinue reading “Put on some truth! Walk in FREEDOM!”
How dying people LIVE!
The only remedy for sinful passions is found in the believers’ experience of union with Christ.” (Vaughan) Because we were raised with Christ, we find freedom when seek to live as He did. As we seek those things which are above (Col 3:2) we experience peace, hope and joy. Before Jesus, I was dead inContinue reading “How dying people LIVE!”
How do I stop the sin cycle and just love Jesus so His ways become my ways?
As I come to the end of Chapter 2 of Colossians, I’m struck by Paul’s last sentence. “These things have the appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are no value against the indulgence of the flesh.” If I don’t want to indulge my flesh, I can’t relyContinue reading “How do I stop the sin cycle and just love Jesus so His ways become my ways?”
Don’t get overly confident in your own pretty goodness.
Do not share in other people’s sins and keep yourself pure (1 Tim 5:20) The Apostle Paul knew there could be no peace, and no healthy church, where sin was allowed to go unchecked. As we look around us, and even inside our churches, we see sin going unchecked. Paul had seen this too.Especially inContinue reading “Don’t get overly confident in your own pretty goodness.”
Be careful in who you allow to lead and who you follow.
I sat with some young adults last night who talked of several who were leading worship and small groups who were living very ungodly lives on the other days. I listened as they said, rarely, have they themselves, been asked what they believe before they been asked to lead in church. This morning, I wasContinue reading “Be careful in who you allow to lead and who you follow.”
Beware of false teachers who combine worldly philosophies with the gospel.
Beware. Paul said, “Beware”. “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Col 2:8) The false teachers of Paul’s day were combining worldly philosophies with the gospel and people were being deceived. This deceitContinue reading “Beware of false teachers who combine worldly philosophies with the gospel.”
Beware of false teaching so you can walk in freedom and abound in thanksgiving!
Yesterday, we talked about Christ being enough and getting discouraged when we look to people and things to do for us as only Christ can. We can also get discouraged and off track when we think we need to add to what Christ has done or change what God has said through His Word. ThisContinue reading “Beware of false teaching so you can walk in freedom and abound in thanksgiving!”
Jesus was enough on the day we were saved and He will be enough every day we ever live.
Jesus was enough on the day we were saved, and He will be enough every day we ever live. The Apostle Paul, who walked in such victory, through the hardest of circumstances with real joy, says, in Christ “dwells all fullness of the Godhead bodily and you are complete in Him, who is the headContinue reading “Jesus was enough on the day we were saved and He will be enough every day we ever live.”
We aren’t those who shrink back!
The words of Hebrews 10:39 kept coming to me-“But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.” We, who have faith, are not of those who shrink back. We are not of those who draw back. We are those who believe.And keepContinue reading “We aren’t those who shrink back!”
We may have to fight with the devil, but Christian you’ll never be his slave.
Christian, your redemption is no small thing. Yes, we stumble, and struggle, and fail, but we do not lose our inheritance when we do! If we did, our redemption would not be much of a redemption! Are you ready to dive deep today? As we slow down, and study Scripture, and grow in spiritual wisdomContinue reading “We may have to fight with the devil, but Christian you’ll never be his slave.”
Thinking of exercising?
About this time every year, I start thinking about diet and exercise. Anybody else? But you know, the Bible says strenuous spiritual exercise is better than physical exercise. And if ever, we need to be spiritually strong, it’s now, in these crazy times we are living. Paul says to “exercise yourself toward godliness” (4:7). TheContinue reading “Thinking of exercising?”
If you want your kids to have REAL HOPE, do this…
Strong godly character that brings blessing to both the individual, and the community at large, comes from applying God’s Word to our lives in a way that behavior is impacted. And here’s something to note – in a world where feelings are emphasized over truth, godly characteristics come from the discipline of applying biblical truthContinue reading “If you want your kids to have REAL HOPE, do this…”
Words from the Old Preacher Teacher
I needed to read these words from the old preacher-teacher, Oswald Chambers, today (pictured with his daughter)– “Put Trust in God First. Our Lord never put His trust in any person. Yet He was never suspicious, never bitter, and never lost hope for anyone, because He put His trust in God first. He trusted absolutelyContinue reading “Words from the Old Preacher Teacher”
Kim Jaggers Ministry 