Introduction This is the second installment on our series of Equipped for Success. The first was an overview and encouragement to not shy away from the making of resolutions, from the decision to do good work, and the Christ-centered endeavor toward excellence in everything. In this part we look at the priority of prayer in...
Category: Devotional
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Equipped for Excellence Part 1 of 7 (Ephesians 4:11-13; Daniel 6:1-3)
Figure 1: Reasons for Failing on Resolutions At the time this post is being written people are setting off fireworks, gathering with friends to welcome the new year, and considering resolutions. Are you considering a resolutions for the new year? Maybe you are not considering a New Year’s resolution. After all, most people do not...
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Lessons from the Life of Abram: Let God Lead (Genesis 13:1-18)
Lesson 4 – Let God Lead (Genesis 13:1-18) Introduction When we last looked at Abram he was being run out of Egypt for being deceptive (Genesis 12:11, 18-19) and for indirectly causing plagues to be brought upon Pharaoh’s household (Genesis 12:17). His wife is beautiful to behold (Genesis 12:11, 14). How beautiful is she? Sarai...
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Lessons from the Life of Abram: Count on God (Genesis 12:10-20)
Lesson 3 – Count on God (Genesis 12:10-20) Introduction Abram is a man of faith. He does not have to have fine-grained details in order to do God’s will (Hebrews 11:8). By faith he is able to work with vague directions and set out from what is familiar for an unknown country. For what? For...
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Lessons from the Life of Abram: Obey Immediately (Genesis 12:1-9)
Lesson 2 – Obey Immediately (Genesis 12:1-9) Introduction From the pages of Scripture Abram gives us advice on being successful with God. In the notes that follow I attempt to convey his counsel to us in three areas: (1) obedience, (2) learning, and (3) worship. Brevity, although I strive for it, has often eluded me...
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Make Room for the Truth
Making Room for The Truth (Luke 24:1-35) Introduction As I read the gospel narratives I am struck by the inability of the apostles and surrounding company to comprehend (John 2:18-22) or accept (Matthew 16:23) the truth. Figure 1 – Me being astounded by the apostles not receiving the truth. Although it is presented repeatedly (Luke...
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The Master’s Plan – Supervision (Mark 6:30; Luke 9:10)
The Master’s Plan – Supervision (Mark 6:30; Luke 9:10) Introduction Are we seeing the big picture of the Master’s plan? By itself the example of Jesus praying and selecting the twelve is powerful instruction on prayer and selecting people to work with (Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16). But selection is not, when taken by itself, a...
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The How of Spirit Filling (Ephesians 5:15-21)
The How of Spirit Filling (Ephesians 5:15-21) Introduction Darlene, the boys, and I were walking a paved path in Walker Ranch Heritage Park. The boys (Roderick Jr, Caleb, and President) were small and were either being pushed in a stroller, or were trying to learn to ride their bikes. Roderick Jr. had learned the...
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The Master’s Plan – Demonstration (John 13:15)
The Master’s Plan – Demonstration (John 13:15) The Pervasive Place of Prayer (Luke 11:1-4; Matthew 6:9-13) Jesus did not hide the fact that prayer was an indispensable part of His ministry. He advised all men to always be in prayer (Luke 18:1-5). And He prescribed prayer as the only effective counter to the weakness of...
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The Master’s Plan – Impartation (John 3:16; 15:13; 1 John 3:16)
The Master’s Plan – Impartation (John 3:16; 15:13; 1 John 3:16) The Son reveals the Father (John 1:18). Insofar as the disciples look at the Son they behold the Father and become familiar with the Father’s character (John 14:6-9). One aspect of the Father that is disclosed and depicted by the Son is the graciousness of...