evangelism / Judgement / Suffering

Persecuted, Suffering or Hiding?

Philippians 1.29 reminds us that, it has been granted to you not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for Him.

Fox News recently reported that Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world, again (HERE).

When we think of suffering however we think only in terms described in this article. In North America, under this definition, we don’t suffer because we are not persecuted. Not wanting to be left out of the suffering conversation, we in North America broaden suffering to include our difficulties: divorce, bankruptcy, cancer etc. (more…)

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April 3, 2017
Christian Living / evangelism

Christianity is the World’s Only Hope

Galatians 3.28 proclaims, there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female – for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

Christianity is the ONLY world religion to record in its sacred writings that all people are equal in value before the One True God. Hinduism separates humanity by caste because of the teachings of their gods. Islam separates people by gender and religion giving permission to its adherents to mistreat either according to the writings of their prophet.

Only Christianity proclaims God made all people from one man and one woman and that this same God suffered the punishment all people deserve in order to reconcile all people, male and female, black and white, Jew and Gentile to Himself through Jesus the Savior. (more…)

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March 17, 2017
evangelism / obedience

What Food Energizes You?

John 4.34 says the Man, who is God, Jesus, said to them, My food is to do the will of the one who sent Me and to complete His work.

It is a difficult assignment but it is the one we have been given nevertheless; that we live life like God lived life when He lived life among us as one of us. How did the Man, Who is God live life? (more…)

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March 15, 2017
Christian Living / evangelism / Judgement / obedience

God’s Work Requires Focus

1 Corinthians 7.35 encourages, without distraction you may give notable and constant service to the Lord.

This expectation seems opposed to Jesus’ commendation of Mary who sat with Jesus instead of Martha who was busy making lunch for Jesus. Jesus’ caveat was that He would not always be with us in the flesh so Mary had indeed chosen the better activity.

From the beginning however God has been at work. So too the Son came to work by seeking and saving the lost. (more…)

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February 23, 2017
Christian Living / obedience / Suffering

Participating in Jesus’ Baptism

Mark 10.39 records, they said to Him, we are able. Then Jesus said to them, you will drink the cup I drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism I experience.

Jesus’ key men wanted to live their best life now. These guys were interested in becoming Jesus’ chief lieutenants helping Him to manage the world as He became King of kings and Lord of lords. What James and John failed to realize was that Jesus was not living His best life now but rather His worst life now. This is what it meant for Him to drink the cup and be baptized.

The Apostles were interested in the cup and baptism but they misinterpreted its meaning. So too many who claim to be Christians misinterpret the cup and baptism. (more…)

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February 7, 2017
evangelism

We Need More Enthusiasm

Haggai 1.14 records, the LORD sparked the enthusiasm of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the enthusiasm of Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the enthusiasm of the whole remnant of God’s people. They began to work on the house of their God, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

The modern vernacular of, ‘God sparked enthusiasm’ is revival. We could use a revival. This movement of God followed His rebuke of Israel for doing nothing to build His temple while they spent their time and money on building their houses and fields. (more…)

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December 12, 2016
Christian Living / evangelism

The Secret to Happiness in the Christian Life

Colossians 2.7 commands, let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will growimage strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

The secret to happiness in the Christian life is knowing Jesus better and serving Jesus more. This is the summary of Paul’s command to the church as he reminded them of Who Jesus is, God made visible, and what we are to do, spread the message of God’s reconciling the world to Himself through Jesus the Savior. (more…)

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October 12, 2016
evangelism / heaven / Judgement

Measuring our Work

Romans 12.11 commands us to never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.image

Most men over 40 are pretty committed to working hard. We were raised that way. We remember buying our own school clothes, buying our first car and paying for college. Our parents didn’t have a lot and even if they did they required us to work for what we wanted as well.

Overall I would say we are the better for it. (more…)

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August 22, 2016
evangelism / obedience

Believing is Not Enough

Romans 2.7 promises, He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the gloryimage and honor and immortality that God offers.

Believing isn’t enough.

The regrettable consequence of the Church’s message these past 50 years is a culture mostly uncommitted to the ways and work of God. Since its founding by God, the Church has always had the responsibility to communicate who God is and what God requires of humanity. (more…)

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August 12, 2016