Darkened Glass Reflections

Tag: obedience

  • Divine Sovereignty. II. Ruler of the Nations—Whether You Like it or Not!

    Divine Sovereignty. II. Ruler of the Nations—Whether You Like it or Not!

    A good paraphrase of part of the Lord’s Prayer may be, “May Your kingdom come and your will be done—to the same degree it is done in heaven, let it be done here on earth. Let Your Kingdom come and will be done in my heart and life. I’m on earth, but let Your will…

  • Read, Meditate, Delight, Obey: I. Meditating on God’s Word

    Read, Meditate, Delight, Obey: I. Meditating on God’s Word

    “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Joshua 1:8; all Scripture…

  • Walking in Faith or Reacting in Fear—Numbers 20:10–13

    Walking in Faith or Reacting in Fear—Numbers 20:10–13

    You would think the Israelites had learned by this time. God had parted the waters of the Red Sea to guide them safely out of Egypt. He had miraculously provided food and water before. Somehow, with each crisis, God met their need. After a few difficult situations, the Israelites should have realized that they merely…

  • New Reformation or Right Teaching?

    New Reformation or Right Teaching?

    Is it time for a New Reformation? From time to time, a Christian preacher or teacher (perhaps claiming the authority of an apostle or prophet) will claim that the church has grown so lukewarm or apostate that we need a new reformation.

  • Walking Through the Valleys. II: To the Other Side

    Walking Through the Valleys. II: To the Other Side

    A valley is merely a low point between two high places. You can climb the mountain out of the valley to the glorious summit where the light of the Son dispels all darkness. If you are in the valley, continue to follow God. Praise Him that He wants you to abide on the mountaintop, not…

  • Walking Through the Valleys. I: Entering the Valley

    Walking Through the Valleys. I: Entering the Valley

    Psalm 23 reminds us that we may wander into the valley even while we are obeying God. This sheep could say, with all honesty, that the Lord was his shepherd. He was following his shepherd, but he still found himself in a valley. You do not need to sin or lack faith in God to…

  • The Annunciation: Saying “Yes” to God

    The Annunciation: Saying “Yes” to God

    In speaking to the angel, Mary speaks FOR all true disciples of Jesus: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Let this be our prayer: That we can be faithful to God, obeying Him and doing His will regardless the circumstances and risk, trusting Him…

  • Renewal of the Mind by the Holy Spirit

    Renewal of the Mind by the Holy Spirit

    Before a disciple follows Christ, he is conformed to this world. He clings to worldly ideas about human nature, God, the universe, right and wrong, relationships, and virtually everything else that matters. A significant part of spiritual growth is renewal of the mind, as the Holy Spirit changes your thoughts and perspective. This leads to…

  • A Valiant Warrior Misses the Mark

    While we need to recognize our identity in Christ, we need to remember that entire phrase: It is our identity in Christ. Sometimes, we win spiritual battles through God’s power and the work of the Holy Spirit, and suddenly forget that He is in control. The apostle Paul asked, “Having begun by the Spirit, are…

  • Obeying God—1 Samuel 15:22–23

    To obey God is better than sacrifice—or evangelism, or serving in the church, or worship, or prayer, or reading the Bible, or tithing, or fasting, or anything else we say we are doing for God. To wilfully disobey God defiles the sacrifice or ministry. To do your own thing and ask God to bless it…