My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Proverbs 3:1-2 (ESV) The nature of ultimate reality is a sovereign Father who created the universe to exalt his Son. In doing so, he created mankind to be sons who enjoy the Father just like the eternal Son of the Trinity does. As we look at the life of Jesus, the... Read more
The events of this past month revealed that sin has consequences—bad consequences. Imprudent debt at every level—personal, business, and sovereign governments—is proving to be disastrous. The genesis of this seemingly unrestrained use of debt is Keynesian economics, which has been embraced by most of the world over the past century. Though Scripture does not forbid debt, it warns against debt. Debt is bondage because the borrower becomes the servant of the lender (Proverbs 22:7). Debt is also presumption that the... Read more
“There comes a time in your spiritual journey when you start making consistent choices that embody truth, wisdom, and love. To make a choice means that there is more than one path to choose, and often times the only reward you will get for choosing the easiest path is that it was the easiest way to go. Excellence does not come from one good choice but from a habit of good choices. Choices eventually show more of who you are... Read more
“Let go of the lines that divide while seeing all people as human beings, loved by God. The walls of “us” and “them” must crumble for the sake of a world in need of God’s love. We must no longer ignore the vulnerability of every human being, regardless of how they have been categorized by us and others. There is both good and bad in all of us, a collective brokenness, and we cannot hide behind the self righteousness of... Read more
“Being right does not always prove to be successful, nor is it always the truth. As a man thinks in his heart so is he, and this makes him “right” in what he has chosen to believe. If you believe you are lazy and worthless, you will gravitate to T.V. and other non-productive activities that confirm the beliefs that motivate such activities. If you see yourself as one of God’s amazing creations, filled with abilities, possibilities, and a desire to... Read more
“There is an inexpressible treasure and comfort that comes through friends in your life who are safe. You can kick up your heels and pour out your hearts with words of truth that are exchanged without caution. Safe people are people who can help you through emotional healing and character growth. They will not abandon you when challenges come, and they love you with no agenda other than to love. Do not let go of such a friend, and they... Read more
“We are salt and light to the world and therefore we must not be hidden. In order to be salt, someone must be able to taste of you. There is no way you can bring a seasoning of life to others if you have excused or excluded yourself from them. The light within you must not be covered as God has created you for glory. He has put Himself within you which makes you an amazing light for the world... Read more
“Fundamentalism can exclusively project our own traditions and understanding of God as the only way Christ’s presence can be known in the world. Our vision of God can become narrow and limited. We should never impose the limitations of our own perspectives, and our own limited understanding of God. God is not a Christian, a Muslim or a Jew. God is above all our perceptions and all our expressions of Himself.” Even in our understanding of Christ as the way,... Read more
“Resistance is coming after you, and it manifests itself in many ways. It can come as urgent and yet not important, it can come as a “feel good” habit to take you off your game. You must know that everyday and many times a day, Resistance will come knocking. Resist Resistance and it will flee. Your best work is in THIS hour and in THIS day. Conquer resistance by working daily with God’s destiny plan for your life.” Have you... Read more
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 3:3 (ESV) As we continue living under the guidance of a Father, we see that it is worth any cost to keep the treasure he defines as valuable close to us. This is illustrated in Proverbs as wearing it around the neck as an identifying pendant and having it imprinted in the tablet of the heart. This two-fold... Read more
Robert Ricciardelli
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