spirituality – Grace Evangelical Society

From Haran to Moriah: Spiritual Growth Takes Time

January 6, 2021 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Abraham, spiritual growth, spirituality

I get frustrated at my lack of spiritual growth. But then I think of Abraham. In James 2, we read: Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?

You Must Grow Up (Ephesians 4:11-24), Part 2

November 30, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Ephesians, spiritual maturity, spirituality

You must grow up. That’s what Paul told the Ephesians. They should not remain as spiritual children. The question is, how does that growth happen? As I explored in the last blog, Paul said that growth takes equipping. For example, that’s what pastor-teachers are for—not to do all the ministry themselves, but to equip the

You Must Grow Up (Ephesians 4:11-24), Part 1

November 27, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Discipleship, Ephesians, Local Church, spiritual disciples, spiritual theology, spirituality

Those of us who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s will remember one of the most famous jingles in retail history: I don’t wanna grow up, I’m a Toys R Us kid; they got a million toys at Toys R us that I can play with We have idolized childhood, haven’t we? How often

Unlocked to Love

September 1, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Law and Gospel, spiritual theology, spirituality, Tullian Tchividjian

Many teachers avoid legalism in justification, only to endorse it (unintentionally?) in sanctification. That is, they present the Christian life as a series of commands for you to fulfill. Living the Christian life becomes an attempt to fulfill the same “to do” list that was completely inadequate to save you in the first place. These

Worrying at the Red Sea, Part 6 (Exodus 14:15-18)

August 12, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Exodus, spiritual theology, spirituality, worry, worrying

And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. And I indeed

Worrying at the Red Sea, Part 5 (Exodus 14:13-15)

August 10, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Exodus, spiritual theology, spirituality, worry, worrying

And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” And the Lord

Worrying at the Red Sea, Part 4 (Exodus 14:11-12)

August 6, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Red Sea, spiritual theology, spirituality, worry, worrying

Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve

Worrying at the Red Sea, Part 3 (Exodus 14:10)

August 5, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Exodus, spiritual theology, spirituality, worry, worrying

And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord (Exod 14:10). When bad things happen, and you are in difficult circumstances, what is your reaction reflex? What are some of

Worrying at the Red Sea, Part 2 (Exodus 14:4)

August 4, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Exodus, spiritual theology, spirituality, worrying

“Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord.” And they did so (Exod 14:4). When you are in a difficult situation, it is hard not to focus on your

Biblical Meditation Is Meditation on the Bible

July 24, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Biblical, meditation, spiritual practices, spirituality

What does it mean to meditate? And what does Christian meditation look like? Over the centuries, unbiblical forms of meditation have been borrowed from other religious traditions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism. Worse, many of these meditative practices grew out of, and assumed, a gospel of salvation by works, and so, meditation became yet another