When I think of a day of fasting, I often equate it with doing nothing but sitting home and praying. Praying is important (and I get that it goes hand in hand with fasting), but when I just pray,…
We’ve just arrived back in Colorado after our two-month road trip. In reflection, I think this trip may have been more of a spiritual field trip in preparation for something the Lord is trying to teach me. I’m asking…
And whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance in order to be seen fasting by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.…
As I’ve said, practicing righteousness is foreign to my nature. It’s why I have to practice, and practice, and keep on practicing. Forgiving others is one of those exercises I will have to work on….a LOT! It just isn’t…
Jesus-Followers practice righteousness. There are a few particulars we seem to need to practice more than others. Jesus gives us some specific instruction, as well as reminders that he understands as long as we’re dwelling in our earthly, fleshly…
Practicing righteousness vs. hypocrisy. As I began re-reading Matthew 6 this morning in light of Jesus’ teaching on practicing righteousness, the word, hypocrite, jumped off the pages of my Bible (6:2, 5, 16). In essence, Jesus said (paraphrased): When you…
Jesus calls us to be followers, learners, stumblers-along-the-journey-toward-heaven-and-perfection. He knows we won’t do following perfectly. He knows we’ll be messy all along the road. So, he tells us to practice. Train for righteous-living while we’re on earth. Allow ourselves…
A Jesus-follower practices righteousness. One area, we need to particularly practice is secret, sacrificial giving. This giving is not only generous, but joyful…it doesn’t occur out of a sense of duty (if our attitude is that of compulsion, there…
Caution. The following is a hard teaching. It will feel like an attack. It might even make you a bit angry. Yet, Jesus-Followers practice secret-sacrificial-giving, and if we want to walk as he walked, this is part of Jesus’…
All Scripture is inspired by God (I love the translation, “God-breathed”) and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, and equipped for every good work (2 Timothy…