Jesus said those who abide in Him will bear fruit, and those branches that do not bear fruit will be cut off. What fruit are we to bear, and how do we know if we are bearing it? II Corinthians 13:5 exhorts us to “ Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not...

As we pursue Jesus’ definition for His disciples, we learn it was essential for them to take up their crosses daily and follow Him. True discipleship is a life of sacrifice. It is a daily sacrifice of our own desires to serve Him. Still, to live for Him this way is the greatest, most fulfilling...

There is no such thing as an “altar call” in Scripture. Nowhere in Scripture do we see invitations being given to raise our hands if we want to follow Jesus. Could these superficial ways people are now being called to follow Jesus have something to do with the superficial ways many Christians are...

The main question is not whether we have authority to do the works of Jesus but whether we are His disciples. The multitudes who followed Jesus believed in Him and His works, but not many were called to be His disciples. His disciples were given authority to do His works. Just believing or...

We are told in I John 3:8 Jesus was sent to “destroy the works of the devil.” Jesus also prayed to the Father concerning His disciples: “ As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” ( John 17:18) . So, it is also our assignment to destroy the works of the devil. Acts 10:38...

A few weeks ago, we discussed how the fall of man brought about disharmony between God and man and between man and creation. Both mankind and creation are groaning and travailing for the reconciliation and restoration of harmony as told in Romans 8:19-23: For the anxious longing of the creation...

Last week we addressed the high calling in Christ that few Christians see, much less run to attain. For those who do see it and give themselves to this ultimate life of devotion, it’s more than just taking up our crosses, dying daily, or doing everything for the sake of the gospel. It is about...

The Scriptures reveal the history of God’s dealings with mankind. God created man to be His special friends to share in the development and oversight of His special creation called Earth. The fall of man interrupted this plan, bringing tragic consequences on both man and Earth. Now man and all...

As we addressed last week, the Lord could have defeated the devil and all evil with a flick of His smallest finger immediately after His resurrection. He could have eliminated all suffering and injustice right then, but He did not for our sake. Instead, the entire church age has been allowed as...

“We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” ( I John 5:19 NKJV). We live in enemy territory. When we were born, we were dropped behind enemy lines. Our lives will not only be a continual battle against the evil that dominates the earth but also against...