Ephesians 1.23 observes, the church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to
the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.
Oh that we as the Church, the people who claim Jesus as Savior, would embrace this truth: the Church is not peripheral to the world but the world is peripheral to the Church. (more…)
John 6.39-40 records, that everything handed over to Me by the Father be completed—not a single detail missed—and at the wrap-up of time I have everything and everyone put together, upright and whole. This is what My Father wants: that anyone who sees the Son and trusts who He is and what He does and then aligns with Him will enter real life, eternal life.
Can Jesus be your Savior and not be your Lord? Can a person get to heaven with only half of Jesus? Jesus is both Savior of all and Lord of all. He is Judge of all and is the only One Who gives eternal life to be spent with Him and the Father and all Who are His adopted children. (more…)
Luke 19.26 encourages and warns, risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and
end up holding the bag.
Who are the most successful people in the world? Those who risked when others played it safe. Nearly all successful business owners threw in everything they had in order to gain what they really wanted. The athlete too sacrifices their time, their diet even their friends in order to become the very best and win the gold medal. (more…)
Luke 15.7 records, Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over
ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.
For many Christians, God’s words in this lesson are offensive. God in Jesus, in this chapter of the Bible, tells three stories all making the same point. In the last story, the Christians portrayed by the oldest son, are offended by God’s doings. What is offensive to Christians in these stories? (more…)
Luke 13.6-7 warns, what’s going on here? For three years now I’ve come to this tree expecting apples
and not one apple have I found. Chop it down! Why waste good ground with it any longer?
God expects His people to bear fruit. It is to His glory He said, that we bear much fruit. Since the beginning of our inception, when He spoke into existence the first man and the first woman, God has commanded that we be fruitful and multiply. (more…)
1 Corinthians 2.2 records, I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus
and what he did—Jesus crucified
The christian community is saying many things, some helpful, some distracting. Paul reminds us of what is most important and the first message the Church needs to be sharing with the world. (more…)
Matthew 16.24-26 describe that Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with
me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?” Jesus is not only Savior but He is Lord. (more…)
Mathew 12.30 observes, this is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you’re not on My side, you’re the
enemy; if you’re not helping, you’re making things worse.
The universe is at war. We see the minor conflicts of man against man. God sees the major conflicts of devils against angels and devils against men who war against God and His servants. This war is greater because its casualties are greater. (more…)
Ezra 9.10-12 says, and now, our God, after all this what can we say for ourselves? For we have thrown
your commands to the wind…Whatever you do, don’t cultivate their good opinion; don’t make over them and get them to like you so you can make a lot of money and build up a tidy estate to hand down to your children.
We should want to cultivate the good opinion of men but for the singular purpose of glorifying God. Our lifestyle, our morals, values and behavior, should reflect the character, nature and ways of God Himself for we are His adopted children and we call God our Father. (more…)
Matthew 5.14-16 teaches us, God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a
city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
God is not a secret to be kept. A popular song echoes this refrain. The key to sharing Him with others is living as light-bearers and being transparent before others. (more…)
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