Post Category: Spiritual Growth

The fourth, fifth, and sixth "sleeping pill" from David Murray in his book Reset....

The second "sleeping pill" from David Murray in his book Reset....

The first "sleeping pill" from David Murray in his book Reset....

In Solomon's list of seven things that God finds detestable, "one who sows discord" is number seven....

In Solomon's list of seven things that God finds detestable, "a false witness who breathes out lies" is number six....

In Solomon's list of seven things that God finds detestable, "a heart that devises wicked plans and feet that make haste to run to evil" are fourth and fifth....

In Solomon's list of seven things that God finds detestable, "hands that shed innocent blood" is third....

In Solomon's list of seven things that God finds detestable, a lying tongue is second....

Six things the LORD hates … yea, seven are an abomination. Wow! If God is going to list for us six or seven things that are an abomination to him, we better listen!...

How is your grip on the Bible? There are six ways we can attend to and guard God's Word in our life....

Many of you shared with me how much you appreciated the Tim Keller sermon on "Faith Work" from May 22. I'm glad that it was such an encouragement and challenge for so many. Here is a list of a few other resources that have recently crossed my path. I share them with you in the hopes that they might continue to stir you up as you pray and think through how your work matte...

I get angry. Just ask my kids. (Okay, please don't ask my kids.) It isn't a secret. People that know me have heard me share about my anger. I've shared about this in my preaching. It is one of my besetting sins that I hate and fight against and pray that God would be pleased to miraculously take away from me. This week we at SOMA are memorizing the following Fighter Verse...

Here are several verses to use - what is often called "speaking the gospel to yourself - as you unpack the implications of the amazing promise from Romans 8:1: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."...

Jesus said that what matters most is loving God. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.This is the great and first commandment. - Matthew 22:37-38 To put it simply, the best way to grow in our love for God is to spend time alone with Him. How do we spend time alone with Him? By reading the Bible - His self-...

God's good word to us - the Bible - is utterly amazing. Psalm 19:7-8 describe some of these amazing aspects of God's self-revelation....

In yesterdays post I encouraged you to be intentional in your time alone with God. I shared a simple and straight forward process called REAP (Read, Examine, Apply, Pray). I should note that REAP is not original with me. I first heard about it through the Verge Network and Austin Stone Community Church. Since tomorrow is January 1st I want to add one more component for yo...

As the the New Year approaches I encourage you to be intentional with your Bible reading. There are so many tools and helps available for us to spend quality time alone with God in His Word. If you are not sure where in your Bible to read I highly recommend that you begin by reading this post by blogger Tim Challies. He provides links to many of the best reading plans incl...

Several years ago I was doing a computer search for a 'tombstone picture' to be used in a Bible lesson; I do not recall why I decided to add my name to the search but there it was. The following concept is not original to me but it makes an interesting point. Tombstones generally show a birth date and a death date. While the dates are interesting the most important issue ...

Reflections for Resurrection Sunday of Holy Week....

Reflections for Saturday of Holy Week....

Reflections for Good Friday of Holy Week...

Reflections for Maundy Thursday of Holy Week....

Reflections for Tuesday of Holy Week....

Reflections for Sunday of Holy Week....

Reflections for Monday of Holy Week....

As I was studying for this Sundays sermon out of Acts 17 and Paul's witness in Athens, I was particularly struck by these words: "Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols" - Acts 17:16 (ESV)....

Here is my paraphrase of the opening words of the first Psalm: "Happy are those... whose delight is in the instruction of the LORD" (Psalm 1:1-2). It is my prayer personally, for my family, and for our SOMA family that these words would be true of us in 2014. One way this is accomplished is through Scipture Memory. The other way is through each of us feasting on God's Wo...

Why Memorize the Bible?* I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. - Psalm 119:11 Memorization works on our hearts to instill faith, cultivate Christ-like character, fight temptation, and enhance prayer and worship. Scripture mentions the following encouragements for memorizing. Memorizing... Is one of the most effective ways to "medit...

Challenge based on our Fall Kids Bible Weekend HayDay....

An encouragement and reminder for our church community to memorize scripture....

Some thoughts on Christ's Return....

Providence, todays sermon, and scripture memory....

Devotional suggestions for Holy Week...

More thoughts on our call to bless and forgive our enemies....

What if there was a cure to a serious cause of your physical well-being that is within your control but you are ignoring it. Would you want to know? Would you be willing to take action? Forgiveness is the cure....

Pastor-Elder Jim Failor reflects on the responsibilities, blessings, and challenges of serving as a Pastor-Elder of SOMA Church Community....

What is your plan for Bible reading in 2013? Here are some suggestions....