[…]ever quit questioning, and don’t ever quit demanding answers. The binge-and-bust phenomenon is often a manifestation of emotional struggle, experimenting to figure out what works for you and where you fit in. It’s a common and natural part of growing up. The Bible teaches us that there is a much broader range of conduct that is permissible (not sinful) than the range of things that are beneficial to us. It also teaches moderation. Just about anything to excess can be destructive. Most of the instructions on right conduct in the Bible are principles, not laws. While many of our decisions […]
[…]your walk with the LORD yesterday? How do you want your walk with Him to be tomorrow? As an act of faith, trust God to reveal the response you need to whatever concerns you. What other lessons can we draw from Paul’s comments to Timothy? God has entrusted each of us with a treasured, indwelling gift (verse 14) Sometimes we need the help of another to reignite our gift (verse 6) Though we may have backed away from what God called us to, He is always willing to reenlist us in His service. He wants us to keep our faith […]
[…]of drawing others to Him. “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” In the face of failure, Simon did not give up. His was not a blind faith. He trusted Jesus for the things he had already seen Him do. What about you? Have you backed away from a challenge because the results have been slow to come? Remember, in God’s economy there’s no waste, “All things work together for good….” Copyrighted by Officers’ Christian Fellowship and Larry Simpson. For personal reflection and growth. Not for […]
[…]man’s evangelism is another man’s proselytizing. But when you are asked, what seeds of faith are you prepared to plant? It highlights the importance of walking in the Spirit and having a tightly crafted personal testimony, of developing habits of scripture memory, of staying in the Word, and especially being able to distill the essence of the gospel message. Stay on message of God’s great love for each of us, about Christ and His sacrifice for us. No Fear! Peter admonishes us to “revere Christ as Lord.” The Army’s Ranger Creed challenges its adherents to give “100 percent and then […]
[…]of the Holy Spirit, drew me to the first verse of that chapter, “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1). Clanging cymbal—that was a perfect description of my actions as I “clanged” away about a friend’s moral failure without any concern for the how or why. I had no love for him, and it was the one thing that, unfortunately, came through loud and clear. I wanted to show I was morally superior—I knew right from wrong while […]
[…]will follow our lead. The strength of our building materials will be revealed by how our life of faith is lived out when the rains fall and the floods come and the winds blow. In the leader’s case, how we walk in view-and out of view-of the public’s eye will speak volumes about what we truly believe and the source of our strength. In these days of rapid-fire media, the leader’s challenge is to display a Christ-like response when life-changing moments arise, and thus be the “wise man” with a firm foundation. Act on the teaching of Scripture and help […]
[…]lives…Grow them deep…Commission them for service Active OCF Bible study groups exist at each of the professional military school here, and several evening Bible study groups meet on base and across the area. A vibrant partnership exists between OCF and the Maxwell/Gunter Chapel community. Here are six themes we hope to reinforce during your time with us and the end state we hope to achieve: Spiritual development An individual who is being transformed into the image of Christ and developing a right relationship with God and an understanding of the fundamentals and disciplines of the Christian faith. (Romans 12:1-2, 1 […]
[…]in the heavenly economy. As God grilled Job (read Job chapters 38-41), revealing Job’s lack of knowledge of His creation and of His divine power, Job’s only response was: “I am unworthy-how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth” (Job 40:4). Job finally got it. In the workplace we are not always privy to the larger plan. We may be in the dark, not knowing how or whether we have a role to play. It can also be that way in God’s greater scheme. What we do know is that God is LORD and ruler […]
