“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.”
Luke 21:34 ESV
Jesus’ admonition for His disciples is important for us today.

Prepare for Battle
We are locked in battle with being more powerful and knowledgeable than we. Their experience is many lifetimes longer than ours and yet it is through the power of Jesus’ name and His Holy Spirit that we fight. We encourage one another with testimony, telling of what He promises and how He delivers. It is through prayer and walking in the Spirit that we endure and work for His kingdom. Read more... (698 words, 1 image, estimated 2:48 mins reading time)
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Categories: Christian Life, God's Directives, Prayer Tags: battle, blood, demons, encouragement, faith, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, lamb, life, Perseverance, power, spiritual, tired, warfare, weary
September 5th, 2014
Kevin
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,
and virtue with knowledge,
and knowledge with self-control,
and self-control with steadfastness,
and steadfastness with godliness,
and godliness with brotherly affection,
and brotherly affection with love.
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:5-8 ESV
If you wonder “For what very reason?” join the club.
In verse 3 Peter tells us
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness ….
2 Peter 1:3 ESV Read more... (242 words, estimated 58 secs reading time)
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Categories: Bible Study, Christian Life Tags: brother affection, faith, God, godliness, growth, Jesus, knowledge, love, maturing, maturity, Peter, self-control, steadfastness, virtue

Reading through 2 Timothy this morning I ran across this which sounded so familiar.
“… God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace ….”
2 Timothy 1:8-9 ESV
Also stated by Paul famously in
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV Read more... (121 words, 1 image, estimated 29 secs reading time)
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Categories: Bible Study, Know God, Worship Tags: faith, God, God's glory, grace, Jesus, mercy, Paul, salvation, Timothy, Works

God’s word, the Bible, is powerful. Both the Jewish Testament and the New Testament tell us that God’s word is profitable.
Sometimes, however, English translations have subtle differences from the original texts. Take for example a passage from Paul’s first letter to Timothy.
The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.
1 Timothy 1:5 NLT
The Bible presents lists like this passage in 1 Timothy. My question when I read this was which part is “the list?” I see two possibilities and the difference may change what I focus on as I seek to follow Jesus. Read more... (703 words, 1 image, estimated 2:49 mins reading time)
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Categories: Bible Study Tags: conscience, faith, faithfulness, fallen Christians, false teachers, God, heart, Jesus, love, Paul, purity, Timothy