Episodes
Monday Jan 31, 2022
COA #83 - Pray for Wisdom and Walk in Wisdom
Monday Jan 31, 2022
Monday Jan 31, 2022
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.
Friday Jan 28, 2022
COA #82 - Seek God’s Will and Live by It
Friday Jan 28, 2022
Friday Jan 28, 2022
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?
Thursday Jan 27, 2022
COA #81 - Put On the Character of Christ
Thursday Jan 27, 2022
Thursday Jan 27, 2022
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?
Wednesday Jan 26, 2022
Command #24 - Care For the Suffering
Wednesday Jan 26, 2022
Wednesday Jan 26, 2022
Imbalance has always been the Achilles heel of Christianity. It might truly be said that imbalance in following the Commands of Jesus is responsible for the greater share of the unbelief in the world. Does anyone doubt that if every Command of Jesus had been sacrificially lived by his followers, not only would the world have been largely converted to Christianity, life would be a good and pleasant thing for most of its inhabitants. There is enough food, enough water, enough provision, enough happiness, enough love for all.
Tuesday Jan 25, 2022
COA #80 - Speak Not to Flatter, Impress, or Please Men
Tuesday Jan 25, 2022
Tuesday Jan 25, 2022
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?
Monday Jan 24, 2022
COA #79 - Speak to Edify, Encourage and Bless One Another
Monday Jan 24, 2022
Monday Jan 24, 2022
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.
Friday Jan 21, 2022
COA #78 - Do Not Quarrel
Friday Jan 21, 2022
Friday Jan 21, 2022
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?
Thursday Jan 20, 2022
COA #77 - Do Not Swear
Thursday Jan 20, 2022
Thursday Jan 20, 2022
The words the mouth speaks are one of the most accurate measures of what lies deep inside. Careless speech reveals careless character.
Wednesday Jan 19, 2022
Command #23 - Follow Me
Wednesday Jan 19, 2022
Wednesday Jan 19, 2022
The first command Jesus issued specifically to his disciples is found in a simple but life-altering challenge: Follow Me.
Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
COA #76 - Do Not Gossip, Slander, or Lie
Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
Tuesday Jan 18, 2022
Most of us reading this command will not automatically think of ourselves in connection with such clear violations of integrity as these words indicate.