Episodes
Thursday Aug 29, 2019
COA #84 - Be Pure
Thursday Aug 29, 2019
Thursday Aug 29, 2019
It would make an interesting experiment to attempt to identify the single principle of spirituality that the world vilifies, mocks, and rejects more than any other. Many options leap to mind: righteousness, authority, obedience, humility. Another possibility may surprise us--purity.
Tuesday Aug 27, 2019
COA #83 - Pray for Wisdom and Walk in Wisdom
Tuesday Aug 27, 2019
Tuesday Aug 27, 2019
Of the many commands we have considered, which are those at the top of the list? Which are those that incorporate all the others into them? We immediately recognize Christlikeness as a recurring signature tune of the commands. Obviously, obedience is the doorway into the Christlikeness God desires to develop within us.
Thursday Aug 22, 2019
COA #82 - Seek God's Will and Live by It
Thursday Aug 22, 2019
Thursday Aug 22, 2019
The question we are about to pose may at first glance seem simplistic, almost a cliche, like something from an old-fashioned salvation tract. Let us try, however, to listen to the words with fresh insight, and bring the question all the way inside. Let us see what it might have to tell us about ourselves. What are you living for?
Tuesday Aug 20, 2019
COA #81 - Put On the Character of Christ
Tuesday Aug 20, 2019
Tuesday Aug 20, 2019
There are many secondary aspects of God's will that are good, right and scriptural elements of spirituality with which we should be concerned. We do well to understand these, and to pray for God to develop them within us... But what is God's primary will for his people...What is it that God wants to do in your life, and in mine, above all other things?
Thursday Aug 15, 2019
COA #80 - Speak Not to Flatter, Impress, or Please Men
Thursday Aug 15, 2019
Thursday Aug 15, 2019
Let us pose a probing question. The more personal layers of the onion we peel off in formulating an answer may reveal startling, even shocking, truths about ourselves.
How much of our speech is subtly laced with the hidden desire to impress?
Tuesday Aug 13, 2019
COA #79 - Speak to Edify, Encourage and Bless One Another
Tuesday Aug 13, 2019
Tuesday Aug 13, 2019
The final two commands of this section are intrinsically related, yet they point in opposite directions. Speech will always build up or tear down someone. These last two commands identify the two objects of that building or tearing--others or ourselves.
Thursday Aug 08, 2019
COA #78 - Do Not Quarrel
Thursday Aug 08, 2019
Thursday Aug 08, 2019
The injunction against quarreling is fascinating to find among the commands, not because it comes as a surprise, but because of how completely accepted it is in the body of Christ. Is there any more commonplace relational dynamic in the church than this?
Tuesday Aug 06, 2019
COA #77 - Do Not Swear
Tuesday Aug 06, 2019
Tuesday Aug 06, 2019
The words the mouth speaks are one of the most accurate measures of what lies deep inside. Careless speech reveals careless character.
Thursday Aug 01, 2019
COA #76 - Do Not Gossip, Slander, or Lie
Thursday Aug 01, 2019
Thursday Aug 01, 2019
Most of us reading this command will not automatically think of ourselves in connection with such clear violations of integrity as these words indicate.