Latest News & Updates

blog home | blog archive | search

Strife

16. Sep 2024 On The Way In Love
The Bible, especially the book of Proverbs, has a lot to say about strife and we are to avoid it at all cost (Eph 4:31). From Proverbs we learn that hatred, gossip and greed can cause strife. Other words used for strife in the Bible are, quarrels, conflict, discord, fights, contention. Solomon gives us some good advice in Prov 17:14, “The beginning of strife is as when water first trickles (from a crack in a dam) therefore stop contention before it becomes worse and quarrelling breaks out” (AMPC).
In the New Testament, strife is listed as a work of the flesh (Gal 5:20). The apostle Paul gave clear instructions about strife: “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and slander be removed from you, along with every form of malice” (Eph 4:31; NKJV). He instructed the Philippians, to overcome strife by being humble and esteeming others above themselves (Phil 2:3) and He told Timothy that: “A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach and be patient with difficult people” (2 Tim 2:24; NLT). What great advice! James also gives advice on how to deal with strife. He said, “Come close to God” (James 4:8), “Be humble” (James 4:6) and “Don’t criticize others” (James 4:11). Let’s allow Solomon the final word: “Even a fool when he holds his peace is considered wise: when he closes his lips, he is esteemed a man of understanding” (Prov 17:28; AMPC). We should always root out strife before it takes hold and gets out of control, just like that crack in the dam.
I

Our lives, the most Powerful Sermon.

13. Sep 2024 On The Way In Love
In the Old Testament when Moses came down from the mountain from meeting with God, his face shone and he had to wear a veil (Ex 34:29;33). The Holy Spirit was upon Moses (Num 11:17-20). As Christians we are born again (John 3:3), our spirits are made new (2 Cor 5:17), we are new spiritual creations. God’s Holy Spirit lives in each one of us bringing new life to our mortal bodies (Rom 8:11). “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor 3:18; NKJV). The Holy Spirit in us will make us more like Jesus if we allow Him to. These internal changes should be seen on the outside of us. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt 5:16; NKJV).
The fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives (Gal 5:22-23) is first and foremost, love. We are to love others as we love ourselves (Mark 12:31). The Holy Spirit also brings us joy and peace, peace is perfect wellbeing. Other fruits are longsuffering, kindness, goodness and faithfulness. How the church needs faithful people. The Holy Spirit also brings gentleness or meekness (power under control) and self-control. We can grow in the fruit of the Spirit by studying God’s word and humbly submitting to the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will cause us to become more like Jesus every day and cause the light of God to shine out from us. Our lives will be the greatest sermon ever preached!

The Name

11. Sep 2024 On The Way In Love
“Let them praise and exalt the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted and supreme!” (Ps 148:13; AMPC). The name of the Lord is a “strong tower” and gives us protection (Prov 18:10) and His name endures forever (Ps72:17).
When God told Moses to go to Pharoah and bring the Israelites out of bondage, He asked God what His name was. “God said to Moses, I am who I am and what I am, and I will be what I will be” (Ex 3:14; AMPC). God was saying that He always was, is and will be in existence. Isaiah prophesied of Jesus, “Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (Isa 7:14; NKJV), Immanuel means God with us. In Matthew 1:21 we read that an angel told Joseph that the virgin Mary would give birth to a Son, “And you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (NKJV). Jesus said that when we pray, we should ask in the name of Jesus, His name carries authority (John 14:13,14; 15:16; 16:23). Peter and John prayed: “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!” and the lame man at the gate of the temple was healed! (Acts 3:6). Paul told the Philippians that the name of Jesus is above every other name, in other words, it is above sickness, poverty, addictions, mental illness etc. He also said that “at the name of Jesus every knee would bow” (Phil 2:9; NLT). Finally, in the book of Revelation we read that in the New Jerusalem, “They shall see His Face and His name shall be on their foreheads” (Rev 22:4; AMPC). Wow!

Is God #1 in your Life?

9. Sep 2024 On The Way In Love
“O God, You are my God, Early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh longs for you” (Ps 63; NKJV). “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life” (Ps 27:4; NKJV). This was King David’s heart, his life priority and God used him mightily and blessed him. The Lord called David, “a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22; NKJV) and God approved of David even though he was not perfect.
Sadly, in the book of Revelation, Jesus had to say to the church of Ephesus, “You have left your first love” (Rev 2:4; NKJV). These people were originally on fire for God but had lost their love for Jesus and also the drive and zeal to serve Him. Sometimes we need to do a check up on ourselves, can we truly relate to King David? Do we love God with all our heart and soul and mind? (Matt 22:37), is the Lord truly our first priority (Matt 6:33)? Can we honestly say we present ourselves as living sacrifices available to do His will? (Rom 12:1).
If we seek God with all our heart, we will find Him (Deut 4:29). We are called to seek His presence continually (Ps 105:4). The apostle Paul exhorted us to, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col 3:2; NKJV). James, the brother of Jesus, said, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8; NKJV). Let’s give King David the last say, “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” (Ps 37:4; NKJV). What an amazing God we serve, how can we not make Him number 1 in our lives?

Get Your Hopes Up!

29. Aug 2024 On The Way In Love
In the world we often hear people say, “don’t get your hopes up” but I feel the Bible’s message is the exact opposite, “Get your hopes up!” Hosea 2:15 caught my attention, “I will transform the valley of trouble into a gateway of hope” (NLT). This word “hope” means eager expectation. We all go through “trouble” from time to time, however, God can help us through these difficult times but we need to put our hope into operation in order for that to happen. We can put our hope in God because He is trustworthy, “For you are my hope, O Lord God, You are my trust from my youth” (Ps 71:4; NKJV). (See also 1 Tim 4:10, 1 Peter 3:5 and many places in Psalms).
Another very encouraging verse is Zechariah 9:12, “Return to the stronghold you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you” (NKJV). A prisoner of hope is someone who believes their expectant hope will set them free and repay “double for their trouble.” Hallelujah!
Hope is actually closely connected to faith; it is hope that maintains faith during the waiting period. Abraham is a good example, “Who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations” (Rom 4:18; NKJV).
Paul encouraged the Jewish Christians to hold onto the, “confession of hope without wavering, since He who promised is faithful” (Rom 10:23; CSB). He also said that hope is “an anchor for our souls” (Heb 6:19; NLT). In other words, hope, like an anchor, will keep us secure in the midst of any storm.
So, keep your hopes up today! Be expectant, expect a miracle!

© 2024 On The Way in Love Ministries. All Rights Reserved.