Posts by John Stephen Smith

John 10:10 NKJV The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly. In the Sermon on the Mount, (Matthew 5) Jesus introduces a new way of living. He introduces them to several contrasts of how things “have been” and what they “will be” under his direction. Here are some of his examples of how his followers will live: They will…

If humans, good men, and women, can become our best friends to supply support, respect, positive reinforcement, forgiveness, and unconditional love, think of the level of friendship God as our Friend, can supply! He is not only our Father but our Friend as well. As David said in Psalm 34:15 NKJV The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. Compare Jeremiah 3:4, James 2:23,  Abraham a “friend of God.” WHAT IT…

You’re a good, good Father, It’s who you are, it’s who you are, it’s who you are. And I’m loved by you, It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am. -Songwriters: Anthony Brown and Pat Barrett 1 Corinthians 6:18 – “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters.” Psalm 89:26 – “You are my Father, my God, the Rock, my Savior” WHAT HE MEANS TO ME AS MY GOD,…

“My God and I go in the field together. We walk and talk as good friends should and do.” In any relationship that is threatened with separation or lack of closeness, one of the topics to discuss is: How is your communication with one another? For those of us who are married, we know how vital that is, even though we sometimes are resistant to improvement in this area. But as the  song says, “My God and I…we walk and…

WE WALK TOGETHER My God and I go in the field together, We walk and talk as good friends should and do; We clasp our hands, our voices ring with laughter, My God and I walk through the meadow’s hue. He tells me of the years that went before me, When heavenly plans were made for me to be, When all was but a dream of dim conception To come to life, earth’s radiant glory see. My God and I…

How We Persist & Persevere Hebrews 12:11-13 NKJV Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Tennis great Bjorn Borg said: “My greatest point is my…

Four Attributes We Must Cultivate Persist definition: “continue firmly or obstinately in an opinion or a course of action despite difficulty, opposition, or failure.” “I wouldn’t want to live without ambition. Actually, I wouldn’t be able to live without it. Ambition is what keeps us at it. It rouses us from slumber, pushes us out the door, gets us reaching beyond ourselves. It calls us to sacrifice and risk-taking. Ambition is what keeps us in the fight or in the…

Danger of Drifting The book of Hebrews, although originally written to Christians who were Jewish, and were in danger of leaving Christ to return to their previous faith, is also for Christians who: Are being drawn back into the world. Are growing weak in their faith. Have experienced tragedy or loss, Have lost their first love – Christ Have sacrificed to become & live as Christians. Have traded the good news for ritual, Have stopped growing & become desensitized to…

Galatians 6:9 NKJV And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Today, I want us to think about this question: What kind of a person would knock a hole in someone else’s roof? In Mark 2 and Luke 5, we find some guys that not only would but did! Luke 5:20-26 NKJV When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven…

5 STAGES OF Spiritual Growth Stage 1: THEA _____________________________________________ CHRISTIAN 1 Peter 2:1-3 • The needs of the baby Christian • The challenges of the weak Christian Stage 2: THE B____________________________________________ CHRISTIAN Luke 8:4-15 • The Hard Path people • The Rocky Ground people We are to “grow up into Christ” Ephesians 4:15, and to “grow up in your salvation” 1 Peter 2:2. Have you reached your full potential for spiritual growth? Are there some areas of spirituality where you…