Plumbline Faith

Simple Faith, Simple Virtue, Simple Church

Simple Faith — November 26, 2022

Simple Faith

MATURITY

With age and wisdom, I increasingly understand the importance of God-centered gratitude, awe and stewardship …

As antidotes to the self-consumed hopelessness, inertia and despair that grips many.

Simple Faith — August 1, 2018

Simple Faith

Salvation isn’t about “asking Jesus into your heart”.

There’s nothing in the New Testament which says that.

Rather, it’s about repenting and submitting to His Kingdom …

On His terms, not ours.

When we stand before Him on that final day …

It will be the only Gospel that counts.

Simple Faith — July 16, 2018

Simple Faith

The Bible doesn’t say to believe in yourself …

But to die to self.

Jesus never said to forgive yourself …

But to forgive others and then ask God to forgive you.

The Gospel isn’t about affirming you …

But about repenting and surrendering to Christ’s rule.

Only then will you find yourself …

Your freedom …

And your validation …

As defined by Him.

Simple Virtue — June 12, 2017
Simple Joy — June 7, 2017

Simple Joy

Christ’s incarnation, ascension and promised return affirm we were not created to ever be detached spirits … 

But as His followers, we will always be physically embodied beings who exist in a material world. 

That’s why mature disciples have hope for the future … 

But remain well rounded and grounded in the present.

Simple Faith — May 21, 2017
Simple Joy — May 4, 2017
Simple Faith — April 29, 2017
Simple Discipleship — March 23, 2017

Simple Discipleship

It is liberating to learn that God did not create us to be like someone else …

But instead gives us different personalities and motivations that match our diverse spiritual gifts.

We experience His pleasure as we learn to uniquely use and enjoy those gifts as He intended …

In our lives, families, fellowships and surrounding communities.

Simple Truth — February 4, 2017

Simple Truth

​Those who reduce grace to what they subjectively perceive God is telling them, filtered through their own sensibilities …

Often reject external Biblical morality, precepts and commands which stand independently true in Scripture.

For them, it all comes down to what they individually feel and like …

As they elevate their own perceptions as the final standard over what God authentically says.

Simple Church — December 27, 2016

Simple Church

The New Testament doesn’t say “church” is where we encounter or are ushered into God’s presence through “worship”.

There’s not a single verse in the entire New Testament to that effect.

Nope, not, nadda …

Just ain’t there.

Rather, we are simply told that when we gather as the church we should express God’s presence already in us through ministry one to another …

Which includes singing God’s praises together to encourage each other.

Big difference.

Let’s start being the church as God instructs in His Word …

Not as our own carnality wants.

Simple Joy — November 26, 2016

Simple Joy

God created us to be integrated individuals:

Embodied, rational, spiritual and relational.

All great heresies deny, isolate or over emphasize one or more of those qualities.

They distort God’s desire to redeem our full humanity …

Complete and whole.

Simple Joy — November 8, 2016

Simple Joy

​Don’t confuse God’s grace with His delight.

You can experience His grace, which is unmerited …

But then miss His delight, which comes from doing His will and obeying His commands.

If you doubt this, just do a quick online word search for “delight” in any good Bible translation.

Those who deny this distinction with their hyper-grace teachings …

Know not God or His authentic joy.

Simple Faith — October 30, 2016
Simple Discipleship — October 24, 2016

Simple Discipleship

God’s no thief.

He won’t take the burdens of our heart – our accumulated regrets, hurts, anxieties and wrongs – unless we first own them …

By honestly and fully confessing to Him that we have them.

Only then can we give them to Him …

As an intentional act of release.

Nor is God a cheat.

When we do, He always gives us something good in return.

Simple Joy — September 22, 2016

Simple Joy

​Most mornings I wake up grateful.

Before the day starts, I like to sit and quietly watch the sun rise while prayerfully contemplating the many blessings God has restored in my life.

I’ve learned not to dwell on what I’ve lost as He prunes me for new growth …

By forgetting to appreciate the wonder of new opportunities, new relationships, and even new purposes and meanings in Christ.

He makes all things new.

Simple Church — September 9, 2016

Simple Church

​Many “go to church” for a directed Sunday “service” performed by the “anointed” few in an odd building where they:

  • Sit in regimented rows;
  • Listen to a monologue “sermon” by “the Pastor”; and
  • Are entertained by a staged “worship” band.

Some, however, “are the church” as they unassumingly gather in homes and other hospitable places where life naturally happens to participate together through:

  • Shared teachings with dialogue and discussion;
  • Spontaneous songs and diverse gifts that arise from among them; and
  • Other involvement by each and every one through active ministry “one to another”, including diverse elders, as a functional community.

What “church”, do you think, looks more like the New Testament?

Simple Joy — August 25, 2016
Simple Faith — June 28, 2016
Simple Faith — May 17, 2016

Simple Faith

When past hurts, disappointments and emotional wounds begin to define us …

They destroy our future.

If we transparently acknowledge, expose and release them to Jesus …

Then our future can exceed our past.

It’s always our choice, however.

Simple Joy — May 2, 2016
Simple Joy — April 15, 2016
Simple Joy — April 13, 2016
Simple Joy — April 11, 2016
Simple Joy — April 4, 2016