Transforming Truth With Jeff Lyle

Romans 8:35-39 is one of the most strengthening, encouraging passages in all of the Bible. The Apostle Paul boldly declares that nothing—not hardship, persecution, demons, decrease nor any force in creation—can separate us from the saving, strengthening, and shepherding love of Christ. These unapologetic promises will uplift your spirit, fortify your faith, and remind you of the victorious hope we have in Him. For anyone seeking encouragement or a deeper connection with God's stabilizing, empowering promises, this teaching will leave you anchored in the truth that all Christians are more than conquerors through Christ's unwavering love.

Romans 8:35-39 is one of the most strengthening, encouraging passages in all of the Bible. The Apostle Paul boldly declares that nothing—not hardship, persecution, demons, decrease nor any force in creation—can separate us from the saving, strengthening, and shepherding love of Christ. These unapologetic promises will uplift your spirit, fortify your faith, and remind you of the victorious hope we have in Him. For anyone seeking encouragement or a deeper connection with God's stabilizing, empowering promises, this teaching will leave you anchored in the truth that all Christians are more than conquerors through Christ's unwavering love.

There is a reality that most committed followers of Jesus experience from time to time. In certain seasons, this experience can become overwhelming, even debilitating. What is this common yet risky experience? Exhaustion in the soul. What do we do when we hit a brick wall in our minds or bodies? When the strength we need becomes the strength we cannot find, our very souls can be dragged downward. The Bible counsels us to become people who are always balancing work and rest, seeking God's strength through prayer, persevering with hope, and leaning on community. It portrays fatigue as a human reality but points to God's provision—physical, emotional, and spiritual—to overcome it. For any who are presently sensing spiritual fatigue, this episode of Truth Shots offers solid, practical, biblical guidance towards a fresh reset that will empower you to operate in God's strength when you feel your own has run out.

There is a reality that most committed followers of Jesus experience from time to time. In certain seasons, this experience can become overwhelming, even debilitating. What is this common yet risky experience? Exhaustion in the soul. What do we do when we hit a brick wall in our minds or bodies? When the strength we need becomes the strength we cannot find, our very souls can be dragged downward. The Bible counsels us to become people who are always balancing work and rest, seeking God's strength through prayer, persevering with hope, and leaning on community. It portrays fatigue as a human reality but points to God's provision—physical, emotional, and spiritual—to overcome it. For any who are presently sensing spiritual fatigue, this episode of Truth Shots offers solid, practical, biblical guidance towards a fresh reset that will empower you to operate in God's strength when you feel your own has run out.

There are appointed times when God is offering His people something beyond the norm. Awakening, breakthrough, advance, and revival are found all throughout the Bible, and it is always God's desire to lead His people into “the more.” Yet many Christians and churches are seemingly stuck in the bog of status-quo, average, mundane Christianity. Is there something that God is waiting for from us before awakening comes? Are these types of seasons simply the determination of a sovereign God who brings breakthrough when He appoints it? Does it rest squarely on us? This is the first of at least two messages we will consider on God's offer of awakening to His people in this present season. Sometimes understanding the offer makes it easier to recognize when God places it before us.

There are appointed times when God is offering His people something beyond the norm. Awakening, breakthrough, advance, and revival are found all throughout the Bible, and it is always God's desire to lead His people into “the more.” Yet many Christians and churches are seemingly stuck in the bog of status-quo, average, mundane Christianity. Is there something that God is waiting for from us before awakening comes? Are these types of seasons simply the determination of a sovereign God who brings breakthrough when He appoints it? Does it rest squarely on us? This is the first of at least two messages we will consider on God's offer of awakening to His people in this present season. Sometimes understanding the offer makes it easier to recognize when God places it before us.

God reserves the right to change our life's pathway without any advanced notice. Moses had blown it decades earlier when he sought to do God's will in his own power. Like the rest of us, when he tried to do Spirit-work in the power of the flesh, things went sideways for Moses. Forty years later, long after Moses had likely given up on his call, God summoned Moses to turn aside from his normal, mundane life to see something spectacular. As a bush burned in the desert, God began to speak to Moses again and tell him that it was now time to step into the fulness of his calling. For Moses and the people to whom God sent him, nothing would ever be the same. It is never too late to say YES to God's plan.

God reserves the right to change our life's pathway without any advanced notice. Moses had blown it decades earlier when he sought to do God's will in his own power. Like the rest of us, when he tried to do Spirit-work in the power of the flesh, things went sideways for Moses. Forty years later, long after Moses had likely given up on his call, God summoned Moses to turn aside from his normal, mundane life to see something spectacular. As a bush burned in the desert, God began to speak to Moses again and tell him that it was now time to step into the fulness of his calling. For Moses and the people to whom God sent him, nothing would ever be the same. It is never too late to say YES to God's plan.

Now it is time to understand what Scripture reveals as the marks of authentic revival. What does it look like? What should we expect to happen in revival? Did you know that we can potentially bring revival to a halt? In Part 1 of this message, we defined what the revival actually is and what precedes it. Now is the time to disclose what occurs in true revival and how Christians partner with God to steward and sustain it.

Now it is time to understand what Scripture reveals as the marks of authentic revival. What does it look like? What should we expect to happen in revival? Did you know that we can potentially bring revival to a halt? In Part 1 of this message, we defined what the revival actually is and what precedes it. Now is the time to disclose what occurs in true revival and how Christians partner with God to steward and sustain it.

God's mysterious providence has been worming slowly on behalf of Ruth and Naomi. He has moved on His own to cross Ruth's path with the man who would eventually become her husband. God had done it all sovereignly and quietly. Now comes the moment where Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz all needed to do their part for God's plan to unfold. This message reminds us that sometimes we can wait on God too long. Sometimes, He calls us to responsive action. Sometimes, if we fail to do our part, we might miss the plans of God for our futures. These three people responded beautifully. Wedding bells would soon be ringing.

God's mysterious providence has been worming slowly on behalf of Ruth and Naomi. He has moved on His own to cross Ruth's path with the man who would eventually become her husband. God had done it all sovereignly and quietly. Now comes the moment where Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz all needed to do their part for God's plan to unfold. This message reminds us that sometimes we can wait on God too long. Sometimes, He calls us to responsive action. Sometimes, if we fail to do our part, we might miss the plans of God for our futures. These three people responded beautifully. Wedding bells would soon be ringing.

Most Christians recognize that the Church at large stands in need of a revival from Holy Spirit. There is a lack of theological precision, spiritual power, and zealous passion among believers. The Church has turned lukewarm in most places. In some places there is potent, authentic revival taking place, but these hotspots of the Spirit are rare. In Part 1 of this message, we focus on what defines revival and what precedes revival. If we are going to pray to God to send it to us, and if we are going to steward it when it arrives, we need to understand exactly what revival is. The second part of this message will unpack the fruit of revival and how Christians partner with God to host revival.

Most Christians recognize that the Church at large stands in need of a revival from Holy Spirit. There is a lack of theological precision, spiritual power, and zealous passion among believers. The Church has turned lukewarm in most places. In some places there is potent, authentic revival taking place, but these hotspots of the Spirit are rare. In Part 1 of this message, we focus on what defines revival and what precedes revival. If we are going to pray to God to send it to us, and if we are going to steward it when it arrives, we need to understand exactly what revival is. The second part of this message will unpack the fruit of revival and how Christians partner with God to host revival.

There are appointed times when God is offering His people something beyond the norm. Awakening, breakthrough, advance, and revival are found all throughout the Bible, and it is always God's desire to lead His people into “the more.” Yet many Christians and churches are seemingly stuck in the bog of status-quo, average, mundane Christianity. Is there something that God is waiting for from us before awakening comes? Are these types of seasons simply the determination of a sovereign God who brings breakthrough when He appoints it? Does it rest squarely on us? This is the first of at least two messages we will consider on God's offer of awakening to His people in this present season. Sometimes understanding the offer makes it easier to recognize when God places it before us.

There are appointed times when God is offering His people something beyond the norm. Awakening, breakthrough, advance, and revival are found all throughout the Bible, and it is always God's desire to lead His people into “the more.” Yet many Christians and churches are seemingly stuck in the bog of status-quo, average, mundane Christianity. Is there something that God is waiting for from us before awakening comes? Are these types of seasons simply the determination of a sovereign God who brings breakthrough when He appoints it? Does it rest squarely on us? This is the first of at least two messages we will consider on God's offer of awakening to His people in this present season. Sometimes understanding the offer makes it easier to recognize when God places it before us.

In the story of Ruth, we get to meet one of the most noble men in all of the Bible. There are not a large amount of verses dedicated to Boaz, but everything written of him is good. He stands as one of the clearest types of Christ in all of the Old Testament. In this message, Boaz is seen again as kind, caring, generous, and committed to providing for and protecting the Gentile widow named Ruth. In doing so, Boaz acts in such a way that Naomi recognizes that this kinsman of her deceased husband seems to be operating not only in kindness and generosity, but also in a way that points to a potential wedding to young Ruth. The future bridegroom of a destitute Moabite begins to take center stage. As he does so, we cannot help but to think of our own Kinsman redeemer, Jesus Christ.

In the story of Ruth, we get to meet one of the most noble men in all of the Bible. There are not a large amount of verses dedicated to Boaz, but everything written of him is good. He stands as one of the clearest types of Christ in all of the Old Testament. In this message, Boaz is seen again as kind, caring, generous, and committed to providing for and protecting the Gentile widow named Ruth. In doing so, Boaz acts in such a way that Naomi recognizes that this kinsman of her deceased husband seems to be operating not only in kindness and generosity, but also in a way that points to a potential wedding to young Ruth. The future bridegroom of a destitute Moabite begins to take center stage. As he does so, we cannot help but to think of our own Kinsman redeemer, Jesus Christ.

The life of faith is mysterious blend of human responsibility and divine providence. Scripture clearly states that believers proactively plan their steps…but that God divinely directs those pathways to fulfill His ultimate plans for us. This is where a providential intersection of Ruth's decisions and God's determination for her life occurs. In all of what happens in Ruth chapter two, we see believers at their best and God's wisdom on full display. As we trust and obey in our own daily decisions, we also will encounter eventual favor under the sheltering wings of the Almighty.

The life of faith is mysterious blend of human responsibility and divine providence. Scripture clearly states that believers proactively plan their steps…but that God divinely directs those pathways to fulfill His ultimate plans for us. This is where a providential intersection of Ruth's decisions and God's determination for her life occurs. In all of what happens in Ruth chapter two, we see believers at their best and God's wisdom on full display. As we trust and obey in our own daily decisions, we also will encounter eventual favor under the sheltering wings of the Almighty.

In our generation of people living as influencers, seeking followings, and desiring to be a bigger and better version of themselves, Jesus Christ offers a different way to greatness. The way Up in the Kingdom has always been Down. Even two of Jesus' closest followers once opposed this principle, which motivated Jesus to speak plainly about this non-negotiable Kingdom key. In our present day, few Christians sign off on what Jesus plainly taught about servanthood, humility, and the upside-down pathway to glory and power. His views on influence and greatness are far different than ours.

In our generation of people living as influencers, seeking followings, and desiring to be a bigger and better version of themselves, Jesus Christ offers a different way to greatness. The way Up in the Kingdom has always been Down. Even two of Jesus' closest followers once opposed this principle, which motivated Jesus to speak plainly about this non-negotiable Kingdom key. In our present day, few Christians sign off on what Jesus plainly taught about servanthood, humility, and the upside-down pathway to glory and power. His views on influence and greatness are far different than ours.

It would have been amazing if at the moment of our justification from God we entered into a state of glorification with God. In glorification, the Christian will become fully whom God has destined the Christian to be. No pain. No sickness. No sorrow. And NO SIN. As Jesus-followers, we should long for the promised day of our perfecting. Until then, we will need to be prepared to make war - especially against temptation to sin. We are not slaves to our flesh. We are not pawns of the devil. The tempting world around us has zero authority over us. Why then do we still sin? The primary reason is because we live unprepared for the moment of temptation. This episode of Truth Shots equips us to be prepared when temptation comes, crush it when arrives, and to bounce back in those moments where we succumb to any temptation.

It would have been amazing if at the moment of our justification from God we entered into a state of glorification with God. In glorification, the Christian will become fully whom God has destined the Christian to be. No pain. No sickness. No sorrow. And NO SIN. As Jesus-followers, we should long for the promised day of our perfecting. Until then, we will need to be prepared to make war - especially against temptation to sin. We are not slaves to our flesh. We are not pawns of the devil. The tempting world around us has zero authority over us. Why then do we still sin? The primary reason is because we live unprepared for the moment of temptation. This episode of Truth Shots equips us to be prepared when temptation comes, crush it when arrives, and to bounce back in those moments where we succumb to any temptation.

We are no strangers to seasons of deep heartbreak and loss as we follow Jesus. Heaven is the only place which is immune from sorrow, and none of us have arrived there yet. Since we cannot escape grief, we must learn how to respond to it as people in whom lives the Man of Sorrows who was, Himself, aquatinted with grief. When grief is not responded to in the Spirit, it will almost always become bitterness which poisons our souls. We become suspicious and fearful of God. We embrace a false identity of victimhood. We resent other people's happiness because we have given up on our own. Naomi's story contains an extremely bitter season, and from her example we can learn much about what to avoid in our dark seasons.

We are no strangers to seasons of deep heartbreak and loss as we follow Jesus. Heaven is the only place which is immune from sorrow, and none of us have arrived there yet. Since we cannot escape grief, we must learn how to respond to it as people in whom lives the Man of Sorrows who was, Himself, aquatinted with grief. When grief is not responded to in the Spirit, it will almost always become bitterness which poisons our souls. We become suspicious and fearful of God. We embrace a false identity of victimhood. We resent other people's happiness because we have given up on our own. Naomi's story contains an extremely bitter season, and from her example we can learn much about what to avoid in our dark seasons.

When Naomi's life fell apart after the death of her husband and sons, she had nearly no options for what would come next. In short time, she heard that the famine back home in Israel had ended. Naomi now had the option of returning home. But what of her two widowed daughters in law? This portion from the Book of Ruth reveals how some of life's unglamorous decisions can actually lead to powerful destiny. Naomi and Ruth would head back to Israel with nothing but their intense needs and prospects of impossibility. No promises from God had been made. No provisions were guaranteed. Naomi was broken and bitter, but she had a place to stay in her homeland. She decided to do the one thing she could do: walk through the only open door she had. Little did she know how soon that open door would lead to destiny for both her and Ruth. Sometimes, being in the right place at the right time is the only thing we need to step more fully into the plans of God for us and those whom we love.

When Naomi's life fell apart after the death of her husband and sons, she had nearly no options for what would come next. In short time, she heard that the famine back home in Israel had ended. Naomi now had the option of returning home. But what of her two widowed daughters in law? This portion from the Book of Ruth reveals how some of life's unglamorous decisions can actually lead to powerful destiny. Naomi and Ruth would head back to Israel with nothing but their intense needs and prospects of impossibility. No promises from God had been made. No provisions were guaranteed. Naomi was broken and bitter, but she had a place to stay in her homeland. She decided to do the one thing she could do: walk through the only open door she had. Little did she know how soon that open door would lead to destiny for both her and Ruth. Sometimes, being in the right place at the right time is the only thing we need to step more fully into the plans of God for us and those whom we love.

There are two dangerous ditches into which many Christians fall as they consider the nature and activity of demons. The first ditches is to disregard the demonic realm. They do not believe that there is any authority, power, or agendas that are facilitated by demons. These Christians are terribly, dangerously wrong. The other ditch that Christians fall into is the idea that a demon is behind everything. These Christians fail to account for anything proceeding from the flesh, from poor decisions, or from the natural orders found within a sin-cursed earth. This episode of Truth Shots examines some foundational teaching from Scripture about demons and how Christians can oppose them and, sadly, how some Christians cooperate with them.

There are two dangerous ditches into which many Christians fall as they consider the nature and activity of demons. The first ditches is to disregard the demonic realm. They do not believe that there is any authority, power, or agendas that are facilitated by demons. These Christians are terribly, dangerously wrong. The other ditch that Christians fall into is the idea that a demon is behind everything. These Christians fail to account for anything proceeding from the flesh, from poor decisions, or from the natural orders found within a sin-cursed earth. This episode of Truth Shots examines some foundational teaching from Scripture about demons and how Christians can oppose them and, sadly, how some Christians cooperate with them.

God's people, who had almost zero knowledge of who He was or how He worked on their behalf, now needed to learn how to win. Though they had seen Him work miracles to separate them from enslavement in Egypt, they still had almost no real history with Him. They did not understand that there was tremendous power in the covenant He had made with their ancestors. To bring Israel out of the mindset of slaves and into the reality of sons, God had one more mighty miracle for them. The crossing of the Red Sea was meant to remove all doubt from a people group that seemed reluctant to operate in an expectation for victory. The modern followers of Jesus sometimes suffer today from this same disease. God desires for all of His children to learn how to win through the foundation of Truth and the power of the Spirit. Now is the time to move out of low-level expectations from God and into the abundant life experience that Jesus declared He came to give us.

God's people, who had almost zero knowledge of who He was or how He worked on their behalf, now needed to learn how to win. Though they had seen Him work miracles to separate them from enslavement in Egypt, they still had almost no real history with Him. They did not understand that there was tremendous power in the covenant He had made with their ancestors. To bring Israel out of the mindset of slaves and into the reality of sons, God had one more mighty miracle for them. The crossing of the Red Sea was meant to remove all doubt from a people group that seemed reluctant to operate in an expectation for victory. The modern followers of Jesus sometimes suffer today from this same disease. God desires for all of His children to learn how to win through the foundation of Truth and the power of the Spirit. Now is the time to move out of low-level expectations from God and into the abundant life experience that Jesus declared He came to give us.

The Bible often gives the first glimpse of famous people in the form of a footnote. The Book of Ruth, and the story of this well-known woman in the Bible, actually begins with barely mentioning her. Overshadowed by her mother in law, Naomi, Ruth hardly appears to be one for whom a book in the Bible should be named. That is just like the Lord! In the early verses of Ruth's story, the focus is not upon her, but rather upon the family into which she would eventually marry. When famine arises, death pounces, and trouble strikes, the story of an obscure Moabite woman begins to take shape. Ruth, as many figures in Scripture, comes to us via an unimpressive entrance. In studying her life, we are once again called to slow down, pay attention, and look for the mighty hand of God to move in subtle, unlikely ways.

The Bible often gives the first glimpse of famous people in the form of a footnote. The Book of Ruth, and the story of this well-known woman in the Bible, actually begins with barely mentioning her. Overshadowed by her mother in law, Naomi, Ruth hardly appears to be one for whom a book in the Bible should be named. That is just like the Lord! In the early verses of Ruth's story, the focus is not upon her, but rather upon the family into which she would eventually marry. When famine arises, death pounces, and trouble strikes, the story of an obscure Moabite woman begins to take shape. Ruth, as many figures in Scripture, comes to us via an unimpressive entrance. In studying her life, we are once again called to slow down, pay attention, and look for the mighty hand of God to move in subtle, unlikely ways.

There is an aspect of the Kingdom wherein much growth is still needed by the Church. In our endlessly hostile world, has it occurred to you lately that Christians in many places are less like Jesus and more like the culture when it comes to how we treat those who are fragile, fallen, and failing? How do we treat the bruised and bent ones whose lives seem to be giving off more smoke than light? A famous messianic prophecy from Isaiah 42 was lived out in the life of Jesus when it came to how he treated the fragile ones whom He frequently encountered. Jesus is kind and tender to those who are barely hanging on. He does not snuff out those who are smoldering down to the wick. His example instructs us about how we can revive the flame in the ones who are about to burn out. He empowers us to straighten out those who are bent under the weights of life. Jesus knows how to help fragile people.

There is an aspect of the Kingdom wherein much growth is still needed by the Church. In our endlessly hostile world, has it occurred to you lately that Christians in many places are less like Jesus and more like the culture when it comes to how we treat those who are fragile, fallen, and failing? How do we treat the bruised and bent ones whose lives seem to be giving off more smoke than light? A famous messianic prophecy from Isaiah 42 was lived out in the life of Jesus when it came to how he treated the fragile ones whom He frequently encountered. Jesus is kind and tender to those who are barely hanging on. He does not snuff out those who are smoldering down to the wick. His example instructs us about how we can revive the flame in the ones who are about to burn out. He empowers us to straighten out those who are bent under the weights of life. Jesus knows how to help fragile people.

The enemy was furious when he became fully aware that God had taken his slaves from him and made them free. Pharaoh was not about to go down in humiliation without a fight. His pride and rage caused him to summon all of his forces to make one final run at those who once belonged to him. As it was in ancient Egypt with Pharaoh, so is it in our day with Satan. When an individual or a church begin to experience the advancing hand of God on their behalf, Hell rages. Jesus has accomplished all that is required for us to go and live completely free in the land of promises, but the enemy will not just let us escape without a fight. This message highlights the activity of warfare against those whom God is freeing and advancing. Israel initially responded in fear, not faith. Thankfully, God had the attention of Moses and he was able to bring the people into holy order as God prepared to fully and finally handle their enemies.

The enemy was furious when he became fully aware that God had taken his slaves from him and made them free. Pharaoh was not about to go down in humiliation without a fight. His pride and rage caused him to summon all of his forces to make one final run at those who once belonged to him. As it was in ancient Egypt with Pharaoh, so is it in our day with Satan. When an individual or a church begin to experience the advancing hand of God on their behalf, Hell rages. Jesus has accomplished all that is required for us to go and live completely free in the land of promises, but the enemy will not just let us escape without a fight. This message highlights the activity of warfare against those whom God is freeing and advancing. Israel initially responded in fear, not faith. Thankfully, God had the attention of Moses and he was able to bring the people into holy order as God prepared to fully and finally handle their enemies.

We have heard since childhood that God loves us and has a great plan for our lives. While those words are factual, they are certainly incomplete. The modern, American view of God having “a great plan” for our lives somewhat lends itself to us believing that God is committed to our lives being easy, prosperous, unhindered, and free of trouble. Nothing could be further from the truth. From the life of Jesus via the words of Paul, we see how God works in the lives of those people whom He intends to use for His own glory. Paul calls us to prepare our minds to experience spiritual victory in the same manner which Jesus experienced it while He lived on the earth. The breakthroughs come to the Christian via bowing low, not self-promotion. When we bow like Jesus did, we can expect to be elevated by God as Jesus was. This is the way.

We have heard since childhood that God loves us and has a great plan for our lives. While those words are factual, they are certainly incomplete. The modern, American view of God having “a great plan” for our lives somewhat lends itself to us believing that God is committed to our lives being easy, prosperous, unhindered, and free of trouble. Nothing could be further from the truth. From the life of Jesus via the words of Paul, we see how God works in the lives of those people whom He intends to use for His own glory. Paul calls us to prepare our minds to experience spiritual victory in the same manner which Jesus experienced it while He lived on the earth. The breakthroughs come to the Christian via bowing low, not self-promotion. When we bow like Jesus did, we can expect to be elevated by God as Jesus was. This is the way.

When God has determined to move powerfully among His people, He usually employs methods that we ourselves would not choose. One of the great needs among Jesus-followers is to trust that God is always moving in multiple layers on our behalf. When He does not take us forward on the quickest, least complicated pathway, we need to train our instincts to consider the big picture. Truth be known, God's leadership often seems peculiar to us while it is playing out in real time. Those who slow down, commit to faithfully fulfill their duties in following Him, and wait on His timing experience the most powerful moves of Heaven. Those who give in to impatience, fear, or self-reliance always come up short of experiencing what God desires to work on their behalf. This message shows us what this following of the Lord's peculiar leadership looks like.

When God has determined to move powerfully among His people, He usually employs methods that we ourselves would not choose. One of the great needs among Jesus-followers is to trust that God is always moving in multiple layers on our behalf. When He does not take us forward on the quickest, least complicated pathway, we need to train our instincts to consider the big picture. Truth be known, God's leadership often seems peculiar to us while it is playing out in real time. Those who slow down, commit to faithfully fulfill their duties in following Him, and wait on His timing experience the most powerful moves of Heaven. Those who give in to impatience, fear, or self-reliance always come up short of experiencing what God desires to work on their behalf. This message shows us what this following of the Lord's peculiar leadership looks like.

There are two misunderstandings and misrepresentations of Christians that are stereotyped in America. The first is that Christians are pushovers who are to roll over and play dead, passive, weak and irrelevant. The other stereotype is that we are militant, dominating, suppressive and threatening. Neither of these misrepresentations are sourced in the bible. The fact is that the Church of Jesus is the mightiest people on the planet. We have strength that no other people possess because it is imparted from God Himself. Yet, with that strength, we operate in love and gentleness. We are not threatening, intimidating or operating in fleshly dominance. We live as those who are to be forgiving and unoffended. We are also those who are to live in such humility and gentleness that we cause no unnecessary offense in others. Do these beatitudes describe you as you follow behind the strongest yet most humble Man who ever lived?

There are two misunderstandings and misrepresentations of Christians that are stereotyped in America. The first is that Christians are pushovers who are to roll over and play dead, passive, weak and irrelevant. The other stereotype is that we are militant, dominating, suppressive and threatening. Neither of these misrepresentations are sourced in the bible. The fact is that the Church of Jesus is the mightiest people on the planet. We have strength that no other people possess because it is imparted from God Himself. Yet, with that strength, we operate in love and gentleness. We are not threatening, intimidating or operating in fleshly dominance. We live as those who are to be forgiving and unoffended. We are also those who are to live in such humility and gentleness that we cause no unnecessary offense in others. Do these beatitudes describe you as you follow behind the strongest yet most humble Man who ever lived?

We live in a day where innumerable people are living to gain a following. Social media and other elements in our culture seek to train us that the more attention we receive from people, the more valuable we are in life. Because of this, our culture has become one of disastrous self-promotion. Boastful hearts present themselves in the most beautiful and powerful ways in order to gain the adoration and applause of the masses. The Christian must separate himself/herself from this fleshly trend. We are of a different Spirit than the world around us. If we are to boast, we must ensure that our boast is of the Lord. Our lives are meant to present Him as beautiful, powerful and worthy of adoration. Psalm 145 provides us a powerful resource for making our holy boast to those around us. Doing this will transform the entirety of the Christian's life and testimony.

We live in a day where innumerable people are living to gain a following. Social media and other elements in our culture seek to train us that the more attention we receive from people, the more valuable we are in life. Because of this, our culture has become one of disastrous self-promotion. Boastful hearts present themselves in the most beautiful and powerful ways in order to gain the adoration and applause of the masses. The Christian must separate himself/herself from this fleshly trend. We are of a different Spirit than the world around us. If we are to boast, we must ensure that our boast is of the Lord. Our lives are meant to present Him as beautiful, powerful and worthy of adoration. Psalm 145 provides us a powerful resource for making our holy boast to those around us. Doing this will transform the entirety of the Christian's life and testimony.

There are two misunderstandings and misrepresentations of Christians that are stereotyped in America. The first is that Christians are pushovers who are to roll over and play dead, passive, weak and irrelevant. The other stereotype is that we are militant, dominating, suppressive and threatening. Neither of these misrepresentations are sourced in the bible. The fact is that the Church of Jesus is the mightiest people on the planet. We have strength that no other people possess because it is imparted from God Himself. Yet, with that strength, we operate in love and gentleness. We are not threatening, intimidating or operating in fleshly dominance. We live as those who are to be forgiving and unoffended. We are also those who are to live in such humility and gentleness that we cause no unnecessary offense in others. Do these beatitudes describe you as you follow behind the strongest yet most humble Man who ever lived?

There are two misunderstandings and misrepresentations of Christians that are stereotyped in America. The first is that Christians are pushovers who are to roll over and play dead, passive, weak and irrelevant. The other stereotype is that we are militant, dominating, suppressive and threatening. Neither of these misrepresentations are sourced in the bible. The fact is that the Church of Jesus is the mightiest people on the planet. We have strength that no other people possess because it is imparted from God Himself. Yet, with that strength, we operate in love and gentleness. We are not threatening, intimidating or operating in fleshly dominance. We live as those who are to be forgiving and unoffended. We are also those who are to live in such humility and gentleness that we cause no unnecessary offense in others. Do these beatitudes describe you as you follow behind the strongest yet most humble Man who ever lived?

The reason why Psalm 51 is historically famous and frequently taught is because it is ALWAYS relevant. Who among us would dare to proclaim that they never sin? None of us live perfectly as Jesus-followers. We cannot truthfully say that every thought, word, and deed that flows from our lives meets the holy standard of sinless perfection. Though we have been made new in Christ, our flesh still rages against the Spirit of God, and there are times when we cooperate with those impulses that were common in our lives before we came to Jesus. Psalm 51 reveals what we need to do when we fail God and sin. David's words must become ours as we move from sin into repentance, and from repentance into renewed fellowship with our merciful Savior. Psalm 51 lends hope to those who have sinned.