The Law of Israel was so beneficial to the nation because it enabled them to know what God expected of them. However, like most codes of conduct, it also manifested the rebellion of their heart, because the heart of sin is “I don’t want to do what you say!” Isn’t that true of each of us? When you are told not to do something, that is the very thing you want to do. There are a few people who are compliant, yet even compliant people do not choose to obey out of the heart, they choose to obey out of obligation. In Jeremiah 31:31-40 as God is about to pass judgment upon the nation of Israel for their rebellion against God, He shares with them that one day, He will establish a new covenant with them, not an external covenant that often leads to legalism and outward compliance, but a covenant of the heart, that will lead those following to obey out of the heart, manifesting their love to and for God. That covenant was made possible by the Person, Work, and Word of Jesus Christ. Every time we come to the Lord’s Table, we are reminded of that New … READ MORE

We need to understand that as a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is already in our heart, and He intends to produce the fruit of the Spirit in us. However there must be a displacement. A boat does not sink when it is the water, but it does sink when the water comes into the boat. We do not fail to enjoy te fruit of the Spirit because we live in the sea of corruption; we fail to do so because the sea of corruption is in us. We must allow the search light of God’s Word to scan us to detect the abiding sins and fruitless qualities which impair our personal growth and fruitfulness. Not until we have allowed our old selves to be crucified with Christ can our new selves emerge to display the marvelous fruit characterized in Galatians 5:22-23. The kind of people God want us to be can never be produced through human effort, but when the Holy Spirit fills us, He brings forth His fruit in people who manifest a growing likeness to Christ, the prototype of what we will someday be.… READ MORE

In Biblical times meekness meant far more than it does in modern day English. It carried the idea of being tamed, like a wild horse that has been brought under control. In Numbers 12:3 we read, “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” Moses was one of the greatest if not the greatest leader of Israel. Yet what we see with him is that he had power and strength that was under control. Just like a river under control can be used to generate power, and a fire under control can heat a home, Meekness or gentleness can enable us to lead with compassion and care. Meekness enjoys a quiet strength that confounds those who think of it as simply a weakness, and is referred to as love under discipline. How do we apply meekness to ourselves? 1) We do not rise us defensively when our feelings are ruffled. 2) We do not crave the pre-eminence, our desire is for Christ to be glorified. 3) We do not seek to be recognized and highly regarded or to be considered the voice of authority. This may happen, because of … READ MORE