Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 … Why is it that the Church is the first to suffer? The first place we tend to think of the suffering of the Church is from the outside, which is attested to from biblical and secular history, and can even be seen in our own day and time. But it … Continue reading The Suffering Church
Christian Living
Gnats. Camels.
Read Matthew 23:23-24 … The question recently arose among a group of friends regarding Matthew 23:24, “You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!” What might be a modern-day example of this saying? Going back to the scriptures where this verse is in its context, we find Jesus speaking to the scribes … Continue reading Gnats. Camels.
Tribulation
Read John 15:1-8 … Is there any simpler fact than difficult times are not fun? From the beginning of the world, it has been a truth that when people suffer, when life becomes difficult, joy and happiness seem to be leached out of life. Often people tend to think in terms of what has touched … Continue reading Tribulation
A Watershed Moment
2 Corinthians 3:1-11 … The arrival at Mt. Sinai by the children of Israel has been seen by some as a watershed moment in the lives of those in the Exodus, and beyond. Of course, arguably the most significant event at Mt. Sinai was the giving of the Law – that body of Instruction that … Continue reading A Watershed Moment
Harm My Peace
Read Romans 14:14-23 … It is always interesting to have religious conversations with people – one never knows where they will go or what will be said. Case in point, a conversation regarding something on the news sparked a chat about various beliefs concerned with the end times. Not too outrageous, but after a short … Continue reading Harm My Peace
Go and Tell Him
Read Matthew 18:15-17 … Perhaps one of the most difficult things to do is confront a brother or sister that has done something that causes problems for either another individual or the Church as a group. It’s not easy because confrontation is not really built into the Christian mindset. Our mindset is to love our … Continue reading Go and Tell Him
Anticipatory Joy
Read 2 Corinthians 5:1-8 … Anticipatory grief is real and has effects upon a person. According to Lynne Eldridge, MD, writing for Very Well Health, anticipatory grief “is a state of deep, painful sorrow that occurs before an impending loss.”[i] As the article progresses, Dr. Eldridge notes that anticipatory grief “is often regarded as a … Continue reading Anticipatory Joy
A Lucky Miracle
Read Romans 11:33-36 … The way that language is used is typically governed by those that use it. Seems straightforward, doesn’t it? Two examples are seen between the major English-speaking societies on either side of the Atlantic Ocean. One society orders fries while the other orders chips; one eats a cookie while the other eats … Continue reading A Lucky Miracle
The New Commandment
Read John 13:31-35 … Jesus used different teaching methods: direct instruction as in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6-7); example as when He drove the money changers from the Temple courts showing what zealous for God looks like (Matt. 21); or even miraculous events like walking on the sea (Matt. 14) and the transfiguration … Continue reading The New Commandment
Sincere Error
Read Acts 26:9-11 … The discussion revolving around the idea of “sincere error” is likely one of the more hotly debated topics. The thought is usually crouched in the question of, “How wrong can a person be and still be right with God?” There are many diverging thoughts along this general line of questioning, which … Continue reading Sincere Error
the odd weekend preacher 