• About

Just Thinkin'

~ Devotionals and thoughts for the journey.

Just Thinkin'

Tag Archives: Theology

Resist

19 Saturday Jan 2019

Posted by Patrick A Cooper in Bible, Bible Study, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Devotional, Faith, Hope, Inspiration, Life, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Bible Study, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, Faith, Inspiration, Spirituality, Theology

resist

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”                          

~ 1 Peter 5:8-9

As I read these two verses, what I hear old Peter saying is this: “Don’t be naive, brother. Don’t be gullible, Sister.” Don’t think your faith will somehow exempt you from trials and temptations and invoking the name of Jesus is a sure-fire devil repellant. Dealing with difficulties is a road all will travel at one point or another in life. Perhaps this is why the apostle writes in the preceding chapter:

“Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.”

~ 1 Peter 4:12 NLT

There are so many difficulties out there making your navigating life a difficulty in and of itself: Sickness and disease, pain and loss, addictions, bad habits, obsessions, compulsive behaviors, mental anguish, anxieties and much much more. In our faith journey, every believer will face opposition, count on it. There will always be something or someone rising up to challenge your resolve, to hinder your spiritual growth and cause you to sometimes miss the mark. But let’s not make the mistake of assessing our spiritual progress, or worth to God based on performance. You will never be more righteous, more redeemed, or more valued by God than you were on the very first day you believed. Or perhaps better said: You cannot be any more or any less saved tomorrow than you are now. “How is that possible,” you ask:

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

~ Romans 8:1

Regardless of how difficult the struggle you at any time may be going through or how defiant the stronghold in your life appears to be, continue to resist the temptation to give in or give up. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you,” James 5:7 tells us. Believe me, if it were not possible, it would not have been written.

>We pray that God has used this devotional to encourage and challenge you. If you would like to speak to someone about a spiritual decision or engage in a spiritual discussion, please email info@clifec.com.<

Hindisght Isn’t Always 20/20

16 Tuesday Oct 2018

Posted by Patrick A Cooper in Bible Study, Blog, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Devotional, Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Inspiration, Life, Preaching, Religion, Spirituality, Student MInistry, Theology

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Bible Study, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Devotional, Encouragement, Faith, Inspiration, Life, Religion, Spirituality, Student MInistry, Theology

car-mirror

“For now we see in a mirror dimly. . .”  

—1 Corinthians 13:12

 

Sometimes looking back makes things clearer, but not always. Having gone through times of difficulty and struggle. It is helpful to (in review) see that big and obvious moment of breakthrough when Jesus stepped into your storm to say, “Peace, be still.” It makes the next difficulty not look so much like the tightrope stretched over Niagara Falls we thought the previous issue was and gives us the confidence to move forward in faith.

But there are times when in hindsight we reflect to see that defining moment when the curtain rolls back, and God comes on stage to part the seas of our perilous moment, but it isn’t quite so dramatic. There comes a calm, but we don’t see how he makes it happen, we don’t see him. Be assured of this, however, see or not see, God is there else you wouldn’t be here.

In business, a rate of growth that is too fast is dangerous often leading to loss and failure. A slower intentionally paced growth rate will allow a new company to adapt to changes in the economy and other unseen events and is much more likely to experience success and prosperity. The same can be true of believers in the spiritual sense.

God understands our eagerness to know but sometimes sees it best to pull in the reins revealing a little at a time rather than everything at once. Better it is to go wobbling across the floor of life in baby steps glancing back to know only that Jesus is there. It is enough.

Just Thinkin’ Theology

05 Sunday Aug 2018

Posted by Patrick A Cooper in Bible Study, Blog, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Encouragement, Faith, Homiletics, Inspiration, Religion, Spirituality, Theology

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Bible Study, Blog, Christian Living, Christianity, Church, Faith, Homiletics, Inspiration, Religion, Spirituality, Testimonial, Theology

With love, I confess. The enterprise of theology is perhaps the most frustrating of pursuits. Like a dog chasing its tail, answers sought are often elusive as the wind. But I continue in the chase.
 
“For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” ~ Romans 11:34 ~
 
Layer upon layer, the deeper the probe, the deeper the stratum-like depths are found to be. Layer upon layer of riches uncountable lie just beyond the turn of each sacred page, just beyond the grasp of the mortal mind. But I continue peeling back layers, one layer at a time. I must. I cannot stop.
 
“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.”
~ Psalm 139:6 ~
 
No, the finite will not fully grasp the infinite. I accept and understand “his judgments are unsearchable, his ways inscrutable.” None-the-less, should I endeavor to be the faithful servant who diligently seeks to know and understand “the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!” – to do theology. Perhaps I should then become as “a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season.” This is my desire, my continued prayer.
 
To that end I press on. To keep planting, keep watering the soil of my soul with the fertile truth of God’s word that he might bring forth an increase in me. Then to pass it on to another.
 
See also Romans 11:33; Psalm 1:3, and 1 Corinthians 3:11.

Recent Posts

  • I Promise
  • What Are You Fighting For?
  • Communicate Well
  • Fighting Right
  • Continue In Your Pursuit

Recent Comments

J. L. Griffith on Word Power
mitchteemley on COOKIES AND PUSH-UPS
mitchteemley on Don’t Get Shackled By th…
Patrick A Cooper on A Baby Changes Everything
mitchteemley on Failed

Archives

  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • October 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • June 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015

Categories

  • Bible
  • Bible Study
  • Blog
  • Book
  • Breaking News
  • Christian Living
  • Christianity
  • Christmas
  • Church
  • Death and Dying
  • Devotional
  • Editorial
  • Encouragement
  • End-Times
  • Eschatology
  • Faith
  • Homiletics
  • Hope
  • Humor
  • Inspiration
  • Life
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Preaching
  • Religion
  • Spirituality
  • Student MInistry
  • Theology
  • Uncategorized
  • Youth

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries RSS
  • Comments RSS
  • WordPress.com

Recent Posts

  • I Promise
  • What Are You Fighting For?
  • Communicate Well
  • Fighting Right
  • Continue In Your Pursuit

Recent Comments

J. L. Griffith on Word Power
mitchteemley on COOKIES AND PUSH-UPS
mitchteemley on Don’t Get Shackled By th…
Patrick A Cooper on A Baby Changes Everything
mitchteemley on Failed

Archives

  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • October 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • June 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015

Categories

  • Bible
  • Bible Study
  • Blog
  • Book
  • Breaking News
  • Christian Living
  • Christianity
  • Christmas
  • Church
  • Death and Dying
  • Devotional
  • Editorial
  • Encouragement
  • End-Times
  • Eschatology
  • Faith
  • Homiletics
  • Hope
  • Humor
  • Inspiration
  • Life
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Preaching
  • Religion
  • Spirituality
  • Student MInistry
  • Theology
  • Uncategorized
  • Youth

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries RSS
  • Comments RSS
  • WordPress.com

Blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel