Keeping your Spiritual Edge

John Cleary

Romans 12:2

Many Christians today forget about an imperative spiritual truth littered across the pages of Scripture, that we are in a spiritual battle! In order to stay alert, effective, and engaged in this battle we must first recognize the reality of its existence and our call to fight. Because of this, we should not be surprised when we experience suffering, but rather, should prepare proactively. One way to do this is to develop a "combat field manual," a journal in which we record key verses and truths to keep ourselves on track in this mission.

Prophecy - The Bible's Own Apologetic

Dennis McCallum

Romans 12:2

Predictive prophecy is an effective apologetic from and for the Bible. There are several key areas of prophecy to highlight: Old Testament typology, the lineage and chronology of the Messiah, historical events, and current fulfillment. Knowing prophecy is constructive to a Christian's faith and ability to defend the Bible.

Unpacking the Message of Hope in 1 Peter (Part 1)

Gilbert Lennox

1 Peter 1:1-2

To truly unpack the messages of the Bible and grow in our understanding of and intimacy with God, we must yield certain tools as we approach the Word. First, we must understand the context of what we are reading. We must then consider what is the unique importance of the book before us. Furthermore, coming to God's Word with questions in our mind allows us to discover specific truths that we may otherwise glaze over. As we use these tools and others, we gain deeper understanding of God's truths, which allows us to begin discovering more about 1 Peter.

Deuteronomy - Seeing God's Heart in the Old Testament

Cathy Treyens

Deuteronomy 1:1-34:12

Despite common thoughts that the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New Testament, both God's grace and His priorities are clear throughout the book of Deuteronomy. Looking at the structure and considering the historical context of this book, it is clear it is organized in such a way that God intended it to be remembered. By looking at the organization of the book as a whole, we can also see that God's grace is highlighted as the basis for the requirement of Israel's obedience to Him. His law also reflects His priorities for morality: property, then people, and God above all. Although we are under a new covenant, this Old Testament book dispels common beliefs that God was different under the old covenant, and the old covenant should, therefore, be ignored by us today.

Unpacking the Message of Hope in 1 Peter (Part 2)

Gilbert Lennox

1 Peter 1:1-5:14

In order to truly unpack the messages in Scripture, we must fight to go deeper into the text. If we want to truly gain answers and understanding, we should approach the Bible with questions to guide our search. As we do this, we can more effectively train others in the Word as well. Lennox explains what it looks like to approach our reading with five broad questions: Does the author say why he's writing? What is the diagnosis, or in other words, what is going on with the audience? What is said about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? How is salvation discussed? Finally, is there a phrase or concept introduced in the beginning of the letter that may unlock truths woven throughout the rest of the writing?

Fighting the Daily Battle - Spiritual Disciplines for Staying in the Fight

John Cleary

Ephesians 6:11-13

The first step in our spiritual battle is recognizing the reality of the battle at all. Scripture is clear that we are engaged in a spiritual war, and God calls on us to be engaged and to fight diligently. As we awaken to this reality, it is wise to create for ourselves a combat field manual, a resource for us to go back to regularly. There are lots of different ways to approach and create a field manual for ourselves, but some key aspects would include passages of Scripture, written prayer and insights from the Word. Having this and adding to it can help us continue in our daily battle.

The Armor of God

Scott Risley

Ephesians 6:11-24

God has given us several methods of defense and one method of attack for dealing with spiritual warfare. Paul uses a soldier's uniform as a metaphor to illustrate these practices. With prayer, faith, and the sword that is God's Word, we can stand up to Satan.

Walking Wisely: Understanding God's Will

Scott Risley

Ephesians 5:15-17

The Bible is the ultimate tool to deciphering God's Will, however, it does not always provide direct guidance on the individual level and believers can be left wondering in areas such as career or dating. In these circumstances, God may reveal his plan for us in several different ways, the most notable being prayer and mature counsel.

Romans 12 - Renewal or Conformity?

Dennis McCallum

Romans 12:1-5

As believers in Christ, we have two choices: we can conform to the values of this world, or we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We cannot straddle the line between these two choices, but are called to make a conscious decision and effort to be transformed by God. That decision allows us to make an eternal impact instead of investing in the fleeting things of this world. It also causes us to grow deep relationships alongside others in the body of Christ who are being transformed by God with us. When Christians choose to be transformed in this way, they become more persuasive, more zealous, and more mature in their spiritual lives.