My reading the end of this year in the daily office reflects on Revelation and Isaiah beautifully. I am drawn to heart-searching conclusions every time. The gospel in Scripture is far more concerned with my ACTIONS than my beliefs. If the Kingdom of God is truly working in me, this is how I ACT. Generally,Continue reading “The both/and of belief”
Tag Archives: Sermon on the Mount
The way of the Father
The Kingdom of God is about flourishing. It is the abundant goodness of the Father flowing to humanity. We are to live like the Father.
A simple reminder
Matthew 6:22–23 (NLT)22 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
Deep righteousness
If there is a place I could camp in Scriptures for the rest of my life, it would be the Sermon on the Mount. I find so many other places to love and visit, but the Sermon has been my Everest climb for the past 25 plus years.
We have pursued power
My ancient wells reading now has me in the Sermon on the Mount. This is a key time for me to be dwelling in this passage as I think about “Last Third Living.” I also dwell on the few verses before 5:1 and think about “power” and “attraction.”
The great vision of the Kingdom of God
Luke’s rendition of the Sermon (on the plain rather than mountain) is stunningly simple. The life of the Kingdom is simple and powerful. Yet… we do not live them out. It begs the question: WHY DO WE NOT TAKE THESE WORDS SERIOUSLY? Go to Luke 6:27-20.
The need of the hour
The need of the hour is the reality of the Kingdom of God. We need disciples who are bathed in the power of the Kingdom who then live out that power. They are ones taught by Jesus and the world can see it in their character, their words, and their actions. Live in resurrection power.Continue reading “The need of the hour”
The deep need of American Christianity
I grew up Pentecostal. I grew up learning a history of “revivals” and revival movements in North America. What is needed in the white American church today isn’t “revival.” It’s never been “revival.” The need is discipleship. It is to know what it’s like to live out the Sermon on the Mount as we liveContinue reading “The deep need of American Christianity”
Our great calling
Matthew 5:14–16 (NIV): 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, letContinue reading “Our great calling”
Learn the great lesson of the Beatitudes
The fullness of the matter in my study of the Beatitudes is this: I am to ask, “Where is Jesus blessing?” GO THERE. Touch what the Kingdom of God is touching.Bless what the Kingdom of God is blessing. No one is beyond Kingdom blessing.
Apprentice 2 Jesus 