Posts filed under ‘sanctification’
Putting Off and Putting On
I believe it is the put off/put on principle that truly transforms the life of the Christian. While many choose not to put in the effort to create new habits and patterns (and some want to but aren’t clear on how), it is incumbent upon us to understand that this is absolutely part of our sanctification process. We must take it seriously and while we do not do this to “earn” our salvation (since salvation cannot be earned, but it is a completely free gift), this process is a must in order to grow in Christ our Redeemer.
Satan’s Strategy and the Role of Self
In the book, The Gospel for Disordered Lives, the authors expose the way Satan works to defeat the believer. In chapter 8 titled, Battling Satan and His Demons, they discuss biblical counseling and how it involves spiritual warfare against evil forces that hate us and who are stronger than the folks counselors counsel. This actually applies to all Christians, whether it is recognized by them or not.
Keeping the Big Picture in View
In Ed Welch’s book, Side By Side, in his last chapter, he writes about keeping the story in view. By that he means that we should try to continually focus on the big picture regarding our salvation. Welch compares our past, which is filled with sin and failure to our ultimate future in Christ. But he also points out our present situation and how much God pursues us daily.
King Jehoiakim’s Defiance
The king seemed interested and wanted to see the scroll so he sent for it. The contents of the scroll was read before the king and all the princes gathered. After 3-4 columns of the scroll were read, the king took a knife and cut off what had been read and tossed the words in the fire near him. Eventually, the entire scroll was burned up after it had been read.
This act was one that showed King Jehoiakim’s view of God and His Word. He didn’t care. He resisted God. V24 tells us that neither the king or princes were afraid at all. They were defiant in their rebellion of God!
Feelings Will Follow
We are responsible to “put off” and “put on” with the help of the Spirit within us. We must make the active decision here. Tim notes that when we angrily react to something, we are not using faith at all. We are simply being pushed by our feelings. If we consider the state of much of society, we see large portions of the population devoid of self-control. They simply react to whatever circumstance they encounter, usually in anger. Reacting like this is not loving.
Promises Broken, Promises Kept
In Jeremiah 33, we see that the prophet Jeremiah was still in prison but received another message from the Lord. God promises to fight for Judah and announces that her enemies would end up dead. None of this is based on Israel’s response to God because they continued in their rebellion and disobedience, which is why God needed to purge once again rebels in that nation. However, He was also looking forward to a time when another Israelite generation would exist, a generation that would be obedient to Him. Because of this, the Lord would bring about Judah’s healing and prosperity.
What is Your WHY?
If we are not careful, we believers can easily become legalistic in our approach to living for God. I’ve attended churches in the past who were right on doctrinally. I could go down the list and go, “Yep, yep, yes, that’s right” etc., but in numerous cases, the people themselves were somewhat cold, legalistic in their approach to service and to God. Why? I believe it’s because they failed to recognize the connection between having a heart of flesh (created by God), which more naturally prompts a person to live accordingly versus doing things with little to no desire but doing them because you should. There is a world of difference between these two things.
Continue Reading February 27, 2026 at 4:08 PM Leave a comment
A Heart of Flesh
We’ve already begun to see God moving. Aside from our time spent with Erich, just hanging out with him and helping him through situations, his neighbor and her son really care about Erich. They are Christians and have invited him to their church. We’ve encouraged them to keep doing that and we’ve encouraged Erich to go. She loves Erich because he reminds her of her younger son. She is such a major help to us and suggested Silvia take power of attorney over Erich’s medical situation if Erich approves. We discussed it to Erich and he is fine with it so we’ve begun the process. This will be a load off his mind as Silvia can keep up to date with his medical situation, make appointments for him and stay in touch with doctors who oversee his care. This is also a tangible way to love Erich because he is clueless about this situation. He didn’t even know how to set up his voice mail so we got that set up for him.
From Judgment to Hope: Jeremiah’s Enduring Message
These three chapters deliver stern warnings of judgment against corrupt leaders, false prophets, and a disobedient Judah, culminating in the prophecy of a 70-year Babylonian captivity. Interestingly enough, in the midst of these threats, God promises to raise a Righteous Branch (Messiah) from David’s line. Further, God will restore the remnant, while also pronouncing judgment on Babylon itself as well as other nations that set themselves against Israel.
Continue Reading January 27, 2026 at 3:47 PM Leave a comment
Living to Forgive
Because of who God is, His great love for us and His willingness to forgive us for all the offences we have committed, are committing and will commit against Him, a great portion of that salvation is the ongoing forgiveness He extends to us. He did not have to do that, yet He did. How can we not offer quick and total forgiveness from the heart to those who harm us in one way or another?
Continue Reading January 26, 2026 at 3:47 PM Leave a comment
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