Discernment

Spiritual warfare is very real. We must therefore pursue of broader discipleship so we can stand firm in our faith while in a world that wants to call us guilty as we are fulfilling a divine calling.

The Reality of Spiritual Warfare and The Battle for Your Heart

Spiritual warfare. It’s a term that conjures all sorts of visual representations. And it probably varies greatly by culture. I can’t claim to be all that knowledgeable about it, and I have kept my life mostly ignorant of the concept. I like to live in my little bubble...

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Are you going through life and not really knowing how to live? The Bible talks about this, specifically in Ecclesiastes. I think of that book every time I hear Audioslave’s song, “Show Me How to Live.”

I Need Somebody to Show Me How to Live – for Real

One of the worst fates is going through life and not ever knowing how to live. I mean genuinely knowing how to live fully with freedom to be you and pursue your purpose. The Audioslave song, Show Me How To Live is one that always gets me pondering that premise. Some...

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When it comes to having a progressive mindset toward discipleship, it is about God before self`... No matter what… At all times - And all ways.

Personal Discipleship Requires Having a Progressive Mindset

Many things in life and work require having a progressive mindset. I’ve come to understand that this is especially true when it comes to personal discipleship. Before I explain that and put it into context of Edwards’ second resolution, let me explain a bit....

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Throughout life, there are many personal influences. How can we be mindful of them and learn to filter the appropriate from the undesirable?

The Right Personal Influences and Being Mindful of Them

I credit many people as being positive personal influences in my life. Some are long-time influences, while others are short-lived. Likewise, there were many events and happenstance that I pinpoint as personal influences of both me and my entire generation. Take a...

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We encounter gray areas in many ways. But, just because it’s not clearly one way or another, have we gone too far by considering a “gray area” to be synonymous with “yeah, it’s wrong, but since it’s a gray area, it’s okay”? Edwards saw this likelihood, and perhaps he drafted resolution 39 for that reason.

Are You Too Comfortable in the Gray Areas of Life?

Life comes with a lot of gray areas. We meet them in many situations, whether it’s in business, marriage, following laws, or otherwise. Too often, though, when someone says, “it’s sort of a gray area" they say it to infer “yeah, it’s not right, but it’s a gray area,...

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Knowing and making the right Christian response to conflict and in small moments shows a grasp of personal discipline, cultivated wisdom, submission to the Holy Spirit, and more.

What’s the Right Christian Response in Big & Small Moments?

One of my former pastors encourages people to ask “what is the right Christian response to this?” when faced with conflict. It's not just conflict, though. It’s an appropriate question for all matters of life. Being able to press pause for questioning an appropriate...

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When we ask for “your kingdom come” in the Lord’s prayer, what are we asking? Yes, God has promised his chosen a kingdom. But how are you preparing yourself to enter it? Transform us oh Lord, so we might be prepared to enter into it, along with a multitude of nations.

Your Kingdom Come And The Multitude Of Nations Who Shall Enter It

In modeling the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to seek “Your Kingdom Come.” This is probably viewed by most as a bringing of Heaven to earth. In other words, it’s something we long for in a future tense. What is forgotten or ignored, though, is the present perspective...

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When doubting God’s love, it can feel like we are stuck. In spiritual idleness. But don’t believe the lack of hype. Your are you to argue with our God who says he loves you? After all, he’s God, and you’re not.

What Should I Do When I Am Doubting God’s Love?

Doubting God’s love is something I suspect we all can relate to feeling. I know I personally go through seasons of spiritual idleness. And I, like Edwards and many other people, suffer bouts of depression. The feeling of hopelessness is a sentiment I know as well as...

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Theology is one of those church words that scares people off. It implies things that are both true and perceived. But the bottom line, it’s about knowing more about God. And, even though you may not realize it, you’re a theologian.

Can We Forget About Theology And Just Learn About God?

This will hurt (and perhaps offend) some people, but I’ll get right to the point: I hate the word “theology.” It’s a super churchy word that probably keeps more people from God rather than drawing them closer to him. The very moment I hear the word, I get visions of...

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