End-times prophecy roundup

Posted on August 2, 2019 by Steve Husting

Musing on recent news as it relates to end-times prophecy.

Thousands of northern Europeans are conducting cashless and cardless transactions by using an implanted device the size of a grain of rice. These recipients are the testing ground for the technology the antichrist figure could possibly use to flush out certain Christians, those faithful to the Lord who will not take the mark. This cashless system will also be a means for the Lord to test His saints — will they choose this present world or the kingdom of God? Continue reading →

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Letter to my pen pals, July 2019

Posted on July 23, 2019 by Steve Husting

Grace and peace are multiplied to us through knowing Jesus (2 Peter 1:2-4). In some way, the more we know of him, the more his power is given. We may know ourselves and our weaknesses very well. We may be able to point to any number or weaknesses as reasons why we can’t do more or believe more or be more like him. The more we fixate on our inabilities or the circumstances, the less we feel we can do.

But grace comes, aid comes, through knowing him more, not self more. It comes through knowing him, not by trying harder with the hopelessness of our failures dragging us down. Continue reading →

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The Our Father Prayer, part 2

Posted on July 4, 2019 by Steve Husting

Let me first point out how unusual this prayer is. We’ve heard it so often that we forget something: these are not thoughts that the average person would think of. Apart from Christ, we would not say these things on our own. These are words directed to God, and we in our sin would never think this way.

The Bible tells us that we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Here’s the prayer life of those who have been restored to God. They care about honoring God. They want to stay close to their heavenly Father. They want Him to rule in His kingdom. They want to do His will. Having these desires indicates a healthy spiritual life.

This prayer can awaken or shape these desires in the child of God, but not when it is said as a matter of repetitious religious routine. When God’s ways are earnestly sought, then these words of the Our Father prayer will transform us. They will give us new light about our relationship with God and each other. We can use this prayer as a model for your own time of prayer, but in our own words. Continue reading →

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Meditation: Colossians 1:26-29

Posted on June 15, 2019 by Steve Husting

1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

God raised up Paul to teach what had not been revealed in the Old Testament. However, how could Paul know about this mystery when men and angels have never gotten wind of it? How do you faithfully teach what God has never revealed before from ages and from generations in His own holy book?

Jesus came and pulled back the curtains to reveal the mystery God wanted to show us. He gave us a box called the Kingdom of God, and gave us instructions on what to do with it. We still have those instructions in the gospels. They give a fuller picture of God’s vision of the coming kingdom than we see in the OT. Continue reading →

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Strengthen Yourself

Posted on April 28, 2019 by Steve Husting

When I was lethargic, low on energy, or just feeling the blahs, I would watch TV, putter around the house, or waste my time in other ways. In the back of my mind, though, I knew there was spiritual power waiting for me if I wanted it. Unfortunately, I kept taking the easy way out. I decided to do something different and seek God for a recharge. But how? Continue reading →

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Letter to my pen pals, February 2019

Posted on February 5, 2019 by Steve Husting

A new year has started, and with it new possibilities. I know, that sounds like a corny Hallmark card. Like the happily-ever-after of a fairy tale. Some people have a right to be skeptical. But not Christians. With a risen Savior, a happily ever after is guaranteed. Because God is for us and His mercies are new every morning, every day that begins with faith in God’s promises is a fresh start. Continue reading →

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For to us a child is born

Posted on December 25, 2018 by Steve Husting

About 700 years before the Word was made flesh, God revealed details about the Savior of the world so we would know what He would be like. In Isaiah 9:6–7 we find these words:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

He is given several names here to whet the Jews’ appetites for the promised Messiah. We can see these names when Jesus shone His light in the darkness during His ministry throughout Israel. Continue reading →

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Attitudes of Faith

Posted on December 18, 2018 by Steve Husting

What does faith feel like? How do you know when you have it? As I was praying about my faith, several aspects of my faith over the years came to mind. I had demonstrated faith in different ways, but they all had one thing in common: they all moved me to action or to making decisions that honored God and His word.

Faith’s definition in the Bible does not mean to believe without proof. It means to have a conviction that something is so. So make sure you don’t apply modern definitions to this book written thousands of year ago.

Why is it important to examine our faith life? Because Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. Also, the Holy Spirit in the believer teaches us that salvation is played out in a life of faith, as Roman 1:17 tells us, “the just shall live by faith.” This means that we are living unrighteously if we live according to our five senses and feelings, as though the unseen world does not exist. Living by faith means that we live our lives with the unseen God in view. Continue reading →

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Put on the Whole Armor of God

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Steve Husting

After I finished reading In Christ Jesus: The Sphere of the Believer’s Life, by Arthur Tappan Pierson, I gained a greater appreciation for the salvation that Christ has accomplished for us. I highly recommend you read the free, online version of this short book here: https://www.whatsaiththescripture.com/Voice/In.Christ.Jesus.1.html The thoughts in that book gave rise to a new perspective on the Armor of God for the Christian, which follows. Continue reading →

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The Our Father Prayer: Hallowed Be Thy Name

Posted on April 14, 2018 by Steve Husting

Excerpt from Life in the Kingdom, book 1
https://stevehusting.com/alivetogod/steves-books/

Pray Like This
Matthew 6:9a Pray like this

Notice that Jesus does not say “pray these words,” but “pray in this manner.” There’s nothing wrong with praying these words; we just don’t need to pray exactly these words. We don’t need a script. We don’t need a book of prayers. We may speak to God as naturally as we speak to one another. Jesus has opened the way. When He died on the cross, the veil in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. This means God opened the way into His presence through faith in Jesus. This is the true kingdom of God: we can talk directly to Him.

Now let’s see in what manner Jesus wants us to pray. In verses 9-10 Jesus starts the prayer with God and His will. I don’t know about you, but I usually start with me and what I want! When we pray in Jesus’ manner, however, we pray for God and His will first and our needs second.

Our Father
Matthew 6:9 Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

We don’t find “Father” used of God very much in the Old Testament. The Psalms uses it twice in reference to God being a Father to the fatherless. Isaiah calls him The Everlasting Father in 9:6, referring to Jesus, and he calls God “our Father” in 63:16 and 64:8. But when we come to the Gospel of John we find God referred to as “the Father” over a hundred times! The Gospel of John is unique in that it persistently portrays Jesus as the Son of the Father. Jesus loved to use this term when addressing God. Continue reading →

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