Love like under Mercy, Live like under Judgement
Can I love like I know mercy, and live like I understand judgement –
Instead of judging like I don’t know love, and living like I am expecting mercy?
The mercy we receive is supposed to bear the fruit of love and mercy and forgiveness towards others, it isn’t supposed to make us comfortable staying in our sinful ways.
What we learn about judgement is not meant so that we can use it as a weapon against others, but to convict us and change ourselves.
Oh, how we get this twisted sometimes.
Continue reading “Love like under Mercy, Live like under Judgement”
Who do you think you are?
Who are we, that Almighty God would take notice of us?
Really?
Who do we think we are, to believe that God himself, creator of all things in heaven and earth would even think about us for a moment?
Psalms 144:3-4 NLT
O Lord , what are human beings that you should notice them, mere mortals that you should think about them? For they are like a breath of air; their days are like a passing shadow.
A Funny Little Story About Hymns and Praise Songs
By Author Unknown
An old farmer went to the city one weekend and attended the big city church. He came home and his wife asked him how it was.
“Well,” said the farmer. “It was good. They did something different, however. They sang praise choruses instead of hymns.”
“Praise choruses?” asked the wife. “What are those?”
Continue reading “A Funny Little Story About Hymns and Praise Songs”
What do we really want?
Comfort and prosperity?
Persecution and trials?
Growth in wisdom and understanding? Satisfaction with what we already know?
God’s will?
Proverbs 4:7 NKJV
Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.
Who do I really love?
Who do I really love?
John 14:21 NKJV
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.
Are we in a “last days” church?
Let me just preface that this is not particularly aimed at my church or any church that I visit – it is aimed at myself, all believers, and all churches equally – as it should be.
We are given warning about the last days –
Conviction leads to freedom – because we were already prisoners.
God is so good.
Mandee and I had a long discussion about conviction and change in our lives last night. We talked about understanding the conviction that we encounter each day, not as a means of guilt and shame, but as a conscious reminder and encouragement to continue growing and changing.
Continue reading “Conviction leads to freedom – because we were already prisoners.”
Who’s driving?
I remember what wandering around without a purpose felt like – I called it carefree fun and freedom. Now that I realize what real freedom looks like, I laugh at how foolish and naive I was.
PSA 138:8 ESV
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord , endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Are you playing to win? Or just playing around?
God is asking, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”
Psalms 138:8 NLT
The Lord will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O Lord , endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.
Continue reading “Are you playing to win? Or just playing around?”
Harold J. Ballinger 