20
Sep '18
God’s Vision of the Good Life
20
Sep '18
Tripp Prince | Wisdom Hunters 9/13/2018
You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions. Mark 7:8
I am increasingly convinced that one of the most important questions you can ask is this: what is your vision of the good life? What motivates the things you do? What captures your imagination? When you take the time to silence the busyness and distractions that swirl around you, what are the things you find yourself thinking about?
In Mark 7, we have conflicting visions of the good life. Different groups of people have different visions of what it truly means to be happy, fulfilled, and as religious people, to live a life that is pleasing to God. On the one hand, one group says the good life comes through obedience to the rules, customs, and norms of society and faith. Jesus, on the other hand, is calling people back to the original vision of the good life, life as it is truly meant to be lived. He reminds them that all these rules and customs were never really the focus, never meant to be an end in and of themselves. They were meant to lead you into the very life of God. As it says in Leviticus, “be holy, because I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44). Read more…
15
Aug '18
Seeing Clearly
15
Aug '18
by Tripp Prince / Wisdom Hunters
While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” Matthew 17:5-7 (NRSV)
Peter, James, and John were the closest thing Jesus had to an ‘inner circle’. They walked with him in close and intimate ways, and as a result were invited into remarkable moments of spiritual clarity and insight. While they knew Jesus the carpenter from a small town with a remarkable knowledge of Scripture and power from God, they had not yet seen Jesus as he truly is, in his glory and wonder. Read more…
08
Aug '18
Obeying Completely
08
Aug '18
by Ronnie Hewitt
In our song books, there is a song that says, “Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin.” When God gives instructions or authorization through His word for something to be done, then it is to be done. But, if no authority is granted for a particular action, then such should not be done. The focus for this article is the theme of “Obeying God 100%.” Partial obedience is never sufficient. The Lord expects complete submission to His will. When one is only partially obedient, he is disobedient in God’s eyes. Read more…
31
Jul '18
Here Am I, Send Me
31
Jul '18
by Ronnie Hewitt
Isaiah 6:8, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’”
After seeing the vision of the Lord on His throne and proclaiming his sinfulness in the presence of the Almighty, after having his lips touched, his guilt taken away, and his sin atoned for, Isaiah was able to hear the voice of the Lord. Read more…
25
Jul '18
How to Know God’s Plan for You
25
Jul '18
by John Upchurch (Bible Study Tools)
All around the prophet Jeremiah, the whole world seemed to be falling apart. His home, his nation, his people—everything continued to slip away. But right in the midst of this dark time, God gave a promise that still fills us with hope today:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Perhaps you have come face to face with the sorrow that Jeremiah felt. Perhaps you, too, know what it’s like to see everything fall apart around you. You know the pain, and the uncertainty, but do you know the promise? God gave this pledge to the people of Israel who lived in exile, but it’s no less true to any of us who follow Jesus. He does have a plan and purpose for us that—while not always easy—is assuredly for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). Read more…
18
Jul '18
Patient Trust
18
Jul '18
Wisdom Hunters
Tripp Prince
But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.” Numbers 20:12 (NIV)
Have you ever struggled to trust the Lord? You may have seen him work mightily in your life in the past, and trusted him greatly as a result, but now wonder if he is even there at all. You feel as though prayers go unanswered, relationships remain broken, and trust may never be restored. Read more…
08
Jul '18
People Pleasing or Pleasing People?
08
Jul '18
Wisdom Hunter Devotional 7/3/2018
Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 1 Corinthians 10:24
Those who know me well know I used to be a huge people pleaser. I would be amiss if I told you I have completely defeated this bad habit, but I’ve come so far and for this, I am very grateful to God.
As a child, I learned that through people pleasing (being nice), I could avoid rejection which is what I feared the most. As a young woman, I carried this fear into adulthood and people pleasing defined me.
Recently, as I was reading Scripture, I came across a verse that reminded me of the difference between people pleasing and pleasing people. God wants us to avoid the first and do the second. You might be thinking, “Wait a minute. We’re supposed to please people?” Yes, indeed. Read more…
16
May '18
Moms Are Indispensable
16
May '18
by JT Waresak
For a number of years, I was involved in a local prison ministry. A few times a month, I would help lead a Bible study. I can’t tell you how many times I was told by an inmate that he was at the Bible study because his mother encouraged him to attend. Sadly to say, I can count on one hand how many times that was said about a father. Let me echo the words of Dr. Dobson, “Mom(s), you are indispensable.” God has given you a heart for your kids that is unparalleled. Read more…
09
May '18
House Rules
09
May '18
by Tripp Prince, Wisdom Hunters
In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:3-4 (NIV)
Every family has house rules. Sometimes these are explicit, such as “take your shoes off inside the house” or “be home by midnight”. Other times, they are more subtle yet no less real. For example, a family culture of kindness and mutual respect may not always be explicitly spelled out, yet it is protected and preserved just as strongly as any other house rule. Read more…
25
Apr '18
The Lord’s My Shepherd
25
Apr '18
by Ronnie Hewitt
Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Read more…