A La Carte Thoughts

One of the most refreshing and profitable actions a Christian can perform is dissecting God’s Word in context (Turn on the A/C – author and context).
Patience is the ability to accept delay while demonstrating a calm endurance.
The Bible has the authority to inform our experiences but our experiences do not have the authority to inform the Bible.
When you encounter life disruptions – step back, step in, step through.
What you don’t repair, you’ll repeat.
Don’t judge a philosophy by its abuse.
It is for freedom Christ has set us free, and it is by freedom we can stand firm (Galatians 5:1).
My biblical worldview tells me the idea of law and order is not original to man. In fact, there are a set of laws that transcend the nature and authority of this land. These laws are divine, given to man by way of Moses at Mt. Sinai, sufficiently fulfilled through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and inerrantly written down as Holy Scripture. It was not man who created these, and it is not man that enforces them. There is a higher court whose Judge is altogether righteous and just. His verdict is never wrong.
Matthew 24 is ironically one of the most encouraging passages of Scripture. Jesus is foretelling the destruction of the Temple and answering the disciples questions about the end of the age. Just as it is comforting to follow a leader who has a plan, God has a plan. It is a plan of righteous judgement. It is the culmination of extended grace upon grace. It’s comforting to follow a God who has a plan and has clearly shared it with his people.
When studying Scripture, ask yourself these four questions of a passage: (1) What does this say about man? (2) What does this say about God? (3) Is there a promise to keep? (4) Is there a sin to avoid?
The pleasures of sin will always become the wages of sin.
Humility precedes honor (Prov. 15:33).
As I’ve grown in my walk with Christ, I’ve stopped looking for all the answers and have simply started asking deeper questions.
Reformed theology is biblical theology.
Theologically rich and biblically faithful hymns and spiritual songs should fill the heart of the congregant, for what better way to Praise the Author than singing His words back to Him.
Sanctification is not just growth. No, we must be more specific than that, for the ragweed and the oak grow alike. If a converted saint were an oak tree, then sanctification would be the pruning, shaping and irrigating of the tree for the purpose of glorifying the arborist and being set apart amongst the larger landscape of trees. This process is the will of God for the redeemed.
Prayer confuses and confounds the mind of a sinner. Why would God want to talk to the humanity whose sin nailed His only Son to a tree? The answer is rather simple. Grace…undeserved favor.
The Word of the Lord works within us as His Word always accomplishes the purpose for which He sends It.
What God requires, God provides.
Maximize the message. Minimize the messenger.
Jesus rejoices in the Father’s will. Not just certain wills of the Father, but in all – even the Father’s will to send His Son to the cross…”…Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
A positive example is far more valuable than 1,000 arguments.
Six considerations when making decisions – (1) God’s principles, (2) God’s providence, (3) God’s people (wise counsel), (4) Your passion, (5) Prayer, and (6) Peace.
Conversation with God through prayer leads to clarity. And clarity leads to confidence in the Lord. And confidence in the Lord leads to closeness. Conversation –> Clarity –> Confidence –> Closeness.
Never forget the difference between mission critical and mission beneficial.
Pursue holiness over happiness.