We read in Luke 16:8b, “For the people of this world are shrewder in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light (Christians).” In this teaching Jesus sets his disciples apart from the dishonest manager. The dishonest manager was a person of this...
Are you “called” to serve God? We read in 1 Timothy 1:1, “Paul, and apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope.” This verse shows us that God saves us and calls us to serve. The word “apostle” reminds us that Paul was one who...
Jesus declared in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets . . .” In other words, what Jesus is referring to is the entire Hebrew Bible; what we call the Old Testament. He did not come to get rid of the Law OR the Prophets. He...
We read in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This definition of faith is fleshed out in the remaining verses and examples of lives lived by faith. Faith doesn’t look at what we do. It looks at what God...
Jesus instructs the “rich young man” in Matthew 19:21, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor.” At first glance, this may sound like it comes out of left field. Nowhere does the Bible tell anyone to take a vow of poverty. Jesus...
Are you a thankful person? One of the ways we honor God is by saying Thank you to Him and to others! That’s the essence of thanksgiving for us as Christians – honoring and thanking God. Thanking God for who He is. Thanking God for all the things He has done for...
Can you imagine a church where people are suing one another in civil matters; attending parties where they are honoring false gods; involving themselves in gross immorality, and the church seemed to tolerate those kinds of relationships? Their worship services are...
Do you honestly seek after God? If we are honest with ourselves, most of us do not consistently seek God. We must acknowledge that no one actually seeks God on their own. Jesus declares in John 6:44, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. ...
The great affirmation of the Church through the centuries has been an affirmation reserved not just for Easter Day but to every time the people of God gather in worship. The great affirmation is this: “Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed!” Friends, if the...
Did you ever wonder why God didn’t strike Adam and Eve dead on the spot after they ate from the forbidden tree? While God graciously didn’t strike them dead the instant they ate from that forbidden tree, they did experience spiritual death (separation from God). ...