Ironworks

                         How can I grow spiritually? This question is one that many Christians, new and old, ask themselves and others. It is a good question and one that corresponds with the right desires. Jesus was a perfect example of this because the Holy Spirit explains, “And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52). We understand that as Jesus grew from adolescence to adulthood His wisdom and stature would surely grow. I want to focus our attention to the fact that He grew in favor with God and men. When we grow in Christ and mature from the basics of our faith, we will certainly receive the favor of God. So, what are some basics of growing spiritually? Love God and Others             The New Testament Christian must remember their first love, Christ! This was the thing lacking in the Ephesus church of Christ ...

“But so much the more went abroad the report concerning him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed of their infirmities. But he withdrew himself in the deserts, and prayed.”  Luke 5:15-16  We all want to be more like Jesus each and every day that we live on this earth. We aim to do so because of the grace we have been shown by our God. We all seek to change our actions based on the change of mind we had when we repented and were clothed with Christ in baptism (Acts 2:38,3:19, Gal 3:27). To become more like our Lord, we will have to look at how the Word describes His life and His actions.  Jesus was Constantly Prayerful This week, I will begin a series on prayer. I have no definite number of lessons on this subject, so it is hard to tell how long it will go. However, as I study the life of Jesus, it is certain that prayer was a continual practice in His life and ministry. If we aim to be like Jesus while we live on this earth, we will be constantly p...

        In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Set thy house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto Jehovah, saying, Remember now, O Jehovah, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.  2 Kings 20:1-3              How many times do we neglect the power of prayer? It is quite evident that the Calvinist has no need to pray for a couple of reasons. First, the Lord will not hear his prayer (cf. Is. 59:1-9, Ps. 66:18; Jam 4:2-4, Prov. 28:9, 15:29). Second, prayer would have no purpose for someone that believes everything that will come to pass has been willed by God beforehand ( everything happens for a reason ). However, in God...

                Shallum the son of Jabesh began to reign in the nine and thirtieth year of Uzziah king of Judah; and he reigned the space of a month in Samaria.    And Menahem the son of Gadi went up from Tirzah, and came to Samaria, and smote Shallum the son of Jabesh in Samaria, and slew him, and reigned in his stead . 2 Kings 15:13-14                         What would you do if you were king for a month? Would you be able to right some wrong. Would you try to enact policies and decrees to fix some of the issues ailing mankind? King Shallum of Israel reigned for the space of a month; that was it. His reign was so inconsequential that all that is said of him is that he reigned for a month and then Menahem executed him and took over the throne. It is certainly not the happiest of outcomes, bu...