Clive Adams

Just when you thought you deserved a break...

...from your circumstances and the people around you, Rick Warren has to point out this truth: "God uses his Word, people, and circumstances to mold us. All three are indispensable for character development.…

Romans 8:28 (AMP), Ephesians 4:24 (AMP), 1 John 1:3 (AMP)

Rick Warren: "God's Work in You"

Warren's devotional is perfect - providing a proper post-Pentecost perspective worth pondering. Hence my repetition of the devotional without editing... "It is the Holy Spirit's job to produce Christlike…

Philippians 2:13 (AMP)

Body-building...

As part of the Body of Jesus Christ, we are involved in building up the Body every time we address areas in our lives which the Spirit of Jesus points to as needing transformation. This "putting off…

Ephesians 4:22 (GNT), Ephesians 4:23 (GNT), Ephesians 4:24 (GNT)

Happy Birthday!

"Happy birthday, dear Church! Happy birthday, dear Church! Be filled with the Spirit! "Happy birthday, dear Church!"

Acts 2:4 (GNT)

I'm patient... God's not finished with me yet!

Paul's statement of holiness - here placed in the context of: - God's salvation (both promised for Heaven & eternity, positionally in our sanctification, and practically in our daily living) - God's supply…

Romans 8:29 (GNT)

Too cute not to pass on...

I received the following amidst the ubiquitous pile of forwarded witticisms. My apologies if you've seen it before... Shirley & Marcy A mother was concerned about her kindergarten son, Timmy, walking…

Psalm 23:6 (GNT)

Mind does matter!

Rick Warren's thought for today begins with this truism: "The way we act is determined by the way we feel. The way we feel is determined by the way we think. If we want to change the way we act, we've…

Romans 12:2 (GNT)

In case you couldn't find Warren's piece in my previous post

Celebrate Your Uniqueness Your shape was sovereignly determined by God for his purpose, so you shouldn't resent it or reject it. Instead of trying to reshape yourself to be like someone else, you should…

Tailor-made!

The Bible leaves us in no doubt... we have been shaped by God and placed by God to fulfill his specific purposes for us as individuals - purposes which knit together to form the perfect tapestry of his…

Ephesians 5:17 (MSG)

Am I my brother´s keeper?

Man´s inhumanity to man has become an unpleasant, incomprehensible part of our daily lives... our access these days to so much information means that it is only the degree of exposure to ´the evil that…

1 JOHN 3:16 (CEV), 1 JOHN 3:17 (CEV)

Why drinking coffee together is not it!

Rick Warren's focus today is on the difference between coffee and community in the context of "doing church". Here's what he writes: "Biblical fellowship is experiencing life together. It includes unselfish…

Warren sounding like William about James!

In today's Bible reflections, Rick Warren considers James' practical approach to Christianity, and, much the same as William Booth did, he urges us to demonstrate our faith by getting our hands dirty…

JAMES 2:15 (CEV), JAMES 2:16 (CEV)

Jesus said YOU have to be perfect, not your service!!

"God expects you to do what you can, with what you have, wherever you are. Less-than-perfect service is always better than the best of intentions. One reason many people never serve is that they fear…

Ecclesiastes 11:4 (AMP), 2 Corinthians 12:9 (AMP), Philippians 4:13 (AMP)

Convictions vs circumstances

"When the going gets tough, the tough get going" This is only as true as one's definition of toughness... I've seen the "tough" run, hide, crumble, fall and fail in the face of circumstances too challenging…

Habakkuk 3:17 (AMP), Habakkuk 3:18 (AMP)

Free, indeed!

It´s Freedom Day in South Africa, and there will be various approaches to commemorating the day - from complete indifference, to carping complaining, to opportunistic but largely empty poliical rhetoric…

John 8:36 (AMP)

Leading like Barcelona play football?!

Barcelona and Real Madrid were expected to cruise into the final of the European Champion´s League (the premier football club competition in Europe) by winning their respective semi-finals against Chelsea…

Matthew 7:16 (AMP), Mark 10:43 (AMP)

The Proof of the Pudding...

Whereas obeisance is the EXPRESSION of our love for God, obedience is the EVIDENCE of our love. If you love God, you will keep his commands - the proof of the proclamation is in the practice! Thus, whereas…

1 John 5:1 (MSG)

Prayer-gratitude, positive attitude!

Paul´s prayers are grounded in thankfulness. Gratitude affects our attitude - also in (especially in!) prayer. That is why we are enjoined to pray for everyone - even those with whom we struggle relationally.…

Philippians 1:9 (AMP), Colossians 1:9 (AMP)

What do you mean you´ll "pray for me"!?!

Paul´s prayers are beautiful examples of what Rick Warren describes as "positive praying". From a thankful spirit in Philippians and Colossians, he formulates his prayer for his brothers and sisters -…

Philippians 1:9 (AMP), Philippians 1:10 (AMP), Philippians 1:11 (AMP), Colossians 1:9 (AMP)

Believe! Become! Behave!

Become what you believe - then behave as you´ve become! Believe, and, positionally, you become what you believe: - Abraham believed himself to be a father long before he actually became one (Rom 4:16ff.);…

Matthew 9:29 (MSG), John 1:12 (MSG)

Turning a crucifixion into a resurrection

"God ... has the power to transform your dead ends into deliverance. He builds your faith through delays, difficulties, and dead ends, so that when he delivers you - God gets all the credit!" (Rick Warren)…

Romans 8:11 (MSG), Romans 8:15 (MSG), Romans 8:16 (MSG), Romans 8:17 (MSG), Romans 8:28 (MSG)

Impossible? You´re kidding, right?!

Be of good courage God spoke unto Joshua When o'er the river God pointed the way Jordan uncrossable, things seemed impossible Waters divide as they march and obey Battles to win they would meet with…

Romans 4:18 (MSG), Romans 4:20 (MSG), 2 Corinthians 1:8 (MSG), 2 Corinthians 1:9 (MSG)

Facing criticism? Fielding complaints?

Criicism, complaints and challenging circumstances contribute to our character! In writing about the trials and tribulations Moses endured as he fulfilled God´s dream for his life and the nation´s benefit,…

1 Peter 1:6 (MSG), 1 Peter 1:7 (MSG)

Freedom changes everything!

Free! Christ bought men freedom - He has broken every chain; Free! Christ bought men freedom Endless life for them to gain. There, upon dark Calvary, Freedom won by love and mercy; Yes, Christ has bought…

John 8:32 (AMP), John 8:36 (AMP)

The Cross - the Great Reversal

With hands unclasped, Jesus gives up his all, to recover what has been lost by mankind's grasping and grabbing ever since Eve first reached out and grasped that which was forbidden! Bill Ury says: "It's…

Genesis 3:6 (AMP), Philippians 2:6 (AMP), Philippians 2:7 (AMP)