Darkened Glass Reflections

Category: Bible meditations

  • Self-Sufficiency or Gratitude

    Perhaps the greatest lie of all is self-sufficiency, and God’s Word warns His people against it frequently in His Word. A false belief that “I accomplished something great and do not need God’s help” is the entry point onto the shortcut to idolatry.

  • Confession: Resisting the Lies of the Enemy

    1 John 1:8–10 hints at two closely related lies that many Christians fall for: “We have no sin” and “We have not sinned.” The first implies that one has achieved a state of moral perfection; the other claims that either we were always in that state of moral perfection or that some people really have…

  • Modern-Day Elijahs XI: A Nature Like Ours

    A modern-day Elijah will expect God to act in response to our prayers, or to accomplish whatever He said He would do. The faith of an Elijah recognizes God as a living, active, all-powerful Sovereign over all creation, not as an abstract concept confined within the covers of a book.

  • Modern-Day Elijahs X: Elijah, John the Baptist, and You and Me

    Modern-Day Elijahs X: Elijah, John the Baptist, and You and Me

    How did John the Baptist manifest the Elijah spirit? More specifically, how can we, like John, manifest that spirit?

  • Modern-Day Elijahs IX: Fathers and Families

    Modern-Day Elijahs IX: Fathers and Families

    Elijah ascended into heaven, but his legacy remains. Few biblical prophets share his prominence. Although he did not write any of the books of the Bible, he is considered one of the greatest prophets in Judaism. Only Moses holds higher esteem. When Jesus was transfigured, Moses and Elijah appeared with Him (Matthew 17:1–8).

  • Modern-Day Elijahs VIII: No Turning Back

    Modern-Day Elijahs VIII: No Turning Back

    The relationship between Elijah and Elisha offers numerous lessons. For a few years, Elisha followed his mentor, learning how to be a prophet. Most importantly though, he learned the character of a man of God. He learned to remain faithful, to refuse to give in to discouragement; to ask, watch, persist, and believe that God…

  • Modern-Day Elijahs VII: The Call to Follow

    Modern-Day Elijahs VII: The Call to Follow

    Will we cling to the past and present—to our comfortable existence—or will we sacrifice them to God? Will we surrender our future to Him? God may not call us out of our present physical circumstances. He may call us to serve Him while we continue in the ordinary occupation in which He found us. However,…

  • Modern-Day Elijahs VI: You’re Not Alone

    Modern-Day Elijahs VI: You’re Not Alone

    There is a reason why Jesus chose to assemble a team of apostles. He knew that people will give in to defeat and discouragement if they try to do God’s work alone. We are not made to serve Him as soloists. If you are facing discouragement in your walk with God, make sure you have…

  • Shining the Light—John 9:1–5

    Shining the Light—John 9:1–5

    Whenever disaster or tragedy strikes, the instinctive response for people of faith is to ask, “Where is God in all of this?” Unfortunately, many approach the question from the wrong angle. We may view the world through the eyes of justice and judgment instead of mercy and grace.

  • Reflection on Mark 9:38-41 (Revisited)

    Reflection on Mark 9:38-41 (Revisited)

    John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said,“Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. For the…