Have you ever considered how it is that the message of Jesus is alive today? I’ve said before on this blog that my faith is in an event that I believe took place nearly 2000 years ago: the resurrection of Christ. It’s the basis of Christianity. If the event didn’t take place, then everything that Christians believe is worthless. Over the years, we have moved away from ... [Continue Reading]
Flashback: A Hard Road (Acts 20:4-26:32)
The Church is often guilty of telling people to “come to Jesus” so that their lives will be easier. Historically, however, the lives of followers of Christ have been anything but easy. In the rather lengthy narrative of Paul’s life that makes up the reading for today, there is a strong realization that, if Paul wanted an easy life, he should have stuck with being a ... [Continue Reading]
A Goal of Growing (Romans 14-16)
Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. (Romans 14:1) Within the Christian life lies the goal of growth. And not only should we be concerned with growing personally, but we should be concerned with the growth of others, as well. Therefore, those who are more mature in their faith must be careful to keep from placing stumbling ... [Continue Reading]
Living at Peace (Romans 11-13)
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18) Did you know that you have a choice in how you live and relate to other people? Sometimes it's easy to forget that we're not simply the victims of the circumstances around us but that we can actually be a positive change. Paul says that one of our responsibilities is to seek to ... [Continue Reading]
A Great Responsibility (Romans 8-10)
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? (Romans 10:14) It might be argued that the most important thing about a person is what he or she does with and believes about Jesus. The early Church thought this was so important that ... [Continue Reading]
A New Master (Romans 4-7)
For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14) I'll never forget my first official job. I was a soda jerk. Working at a local cafe, my job was to serve food and dip ice cream. I'll never forget the experience because of the person I worked for. Generally, the owner was a nice man who had a desire for ... [Continue Reading]
How Good? (Acts 20:1-3; Romans 1-3)
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) I heard an analogy once about throwing a baseball. If a group of friends of mine and I were to line up and each try to throw a baseball to the North Pole, some would definitely throw the ball further than others. However, none of us would actually make it to the North Pole. Similarly, no matter how ... [Continue Reading]
Bragging Rights (2 Corinthians 10-13)
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. (2 Corinthians 11:30) It’s funny how much we like to have bragging rights. Life is a comparison, and we’re really good at looking at one another and trying to outdo each other. Whether in a sport, in academics, or in a board game, we like to let everyone know when we are the winners. When I was living ... [Continue Reading]
Flashback: Changing Teams (2 Corinthians 5-9)
When a person gives his or her life to Christ, he becomes a new creation. The thing that he once was, he is no longer - the desires she once had are gone. I'll never forget when my favorite childhood baseball player, Orel Hershiser, switched from the Dodgers to the Indians. It was a great day for me because I lived in Ohio, and now I had a reason to support the team ... [Continue Reading]
Comforted to Comfort (2 Corinthians 1-4)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) Why does God allow us to go through difficult circumstances? That's a common question that people have when it ... [Continue Reading]
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