Apostolic Blogs

Early on in this Covid-19 crisis, when I sensed fear creeping into my thoughts, God blessed me with a verse; Isaiah 59:19, which says, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” Looking at the Covid-19 map every day, it appeared the virus was spreading like a worldwide flood of biblical proportion. I couldn’t help but think this virus was a tool of our enemy Satan. However, after meditating on this verse, God revealed that the enemy’s tool was not the virus, it was fear. While the virus was spreading across the world, it was equally evident that fear was spreading as well. One of the dangers of fear is that, left unchecked, it has the power to negatively change our perspective. Let me illustrate it this way. Years ago, I read a survey that listed the top ten fears of people. I don’t remember the whole list, but I do remember the number one fear was public speaking and number five was the fear of death. Just think about it for a...

I'm not perfect. I have all kinds of problems. I have no ability. I have no gifts. I'm just not worthy. Why would God want me? Well, did you know that Hosea's wife was a prostitute. Jacob was a liar. David had an affair. Abraham was too old. David was too young. Peter was afraid of death. Lazarus was dead. John was self-righteous. Naomi was a widow. Paul was a persecutor of the church. Moses was a murderer. Jonah ran from God's will. Miriam was a gossip. Gideon and Thomas both doubted. Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal. Elijah was burned out. Martha was a worry-wart. Noah got drunk. Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse? So did Peter, Paul - well, lots of folks did. But God doesn't require a job interview for salvation. He's our Heavenly Father. He doesn't look at financial gain or loss. He's not prejudiced or partial, not judging, grudging, sassy, orbrassy, not deaf to our cry, not blind to our need. He know who we are and what we are and loves us...

(The Harsh Reality: Half Christian, Half Sinner, Totally Lost!) Rev. 3:14 And unto the angel of the church [a] of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;’ Rev. 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.’ Rev. 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.’ Rev. 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:’ Rev. 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.’ Rev. 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.’ Rev. 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock...

Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things  which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Paul has used the analogy of a runner who focuses on the goal ahead of him. This prevents distractions and stumbling. Paul's spiritual goal is stated directly here: "the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." As verse 13 notes, Paul's focus is on forward momentum, not prior mistakes. A person cannot move ahead if their thoughts and vision are focused on the past. Paul has a clear goal: being in heaven with the Lord. He looks forward to the ultimate reward for his faithful service. This prize is to be with Christ, though there is some uncertainty about what he specifically meant, in the context of this remark. Although Christians are called to be like Christ, we continue ...

The pursuit of holiness is essential to the Christian life. “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). God commands us to be holy in all our conduct because He is holy (I Peter 1:15-16). Being holy is a process of growth as we conform to the character and will of God. Although we are imperfect, we are growing into maturity. Throughout this process, we are holy in the sense of (1) separation from sin and (2) dedication to God. (See Romans 12:1-2; II Corinthians 6:17-7:1.) Holiness is both inward and outward. (See I Corinthians 6:19-20; II Corinthians 7:1; I Thessalonians 5:23.) Thus, it encompasses thoughts and attitudes as well as conduct, speech, amusements, and dress. The practices of holiness separate us from the world’s value system, namely, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (I John 2:15-17). Holiness is not a means of earning salvation but a result of salvation. We do not manufacture our own ...