by Eric Holter on January 20, 2004
“Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey…”
Matthew 10:9-10
“And he said to them, ‘But now, let him who has a purse take it along, Likewise also a bag…’” Luke 22:36
Jesus has specific and timely instructions for us as we walk the path of Discipleship. Not everything Jesus tells us in the Word can be locked down as a hard and fast rule or principle. In this case he gave clear instructions at one time and then countermanded those instructions at another. Jesus may tell us to do something one way, at a certain time, and another way later. When it comes to strategy and direction we must always ask and listen to our Lord and Master.
[click to continue…]
by Eric Holter on November 15, 2003
“And when He had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, entreating Him, and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering great pain.” And He said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy for you to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I, too, am a man under authority, with many soldiers under me, and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled, and said to those who were following, “Truly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.” Matthew 8:5-10
I want to have great faith in Jesus. There are, at least, five aspects of the centurion’s faith that can be observed in this passage, and that, by the grace of God, can be emulated.
[click to continue…]
by Eric Holter on November 12, 2003
“But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:16
My faith rests on a solid foundation, a firm platform confirmed and established in the past. My faith is secure because of what God has done and declared in the past. He demonstrated with all earnestness His purpose to save me on the cross. In the past God declared an oath by which I have a sure and steadfast anchor for my soul. What great encouragement I have in such a refuge of hope. God has done all this so that I can look back and have great confidence that I will lay hold of it.
[click to continue…]
