Misguided Assumptions about Man and God

Our assumptions on a topic naturally lead to our conclusions about that same topic. This is what Paul was getting at when he summed up his thoughts regarding God’s forgiveness of man’s unrighteousness and ungodliness. The Jews of Paul’s day, as do most everyone today, believed that the way to be acceptable before God wasContinue reading “Misguided Assumptions about Man and God”

Understanding True Christianity: More Than Just Good Works

Many people have misunderstood what it means to be a Christian. Some assume being a Christian is to live the best way that you can, so that the good you’ve done is greater than the bad. Sometimes this is equated with being “religious”. Paul’s letter to the Romans reveals that in fact the belief thatContinue reading “Understanding True Christianity: More Than Just Good Works”

True Christianity

On one occasion, Jesus pointed out to his disciples that only those to whom the Son revealed himself would know him and the Father, not necessarily the wise and intelligent, but to childlike people. Then he blessed his disciples, because great people, prophets and kings, desired to see what they were currently seeing. Jesus’ pointContinue reading “True Christianity”

Jesus Available To All

At the time of Jesus’ birth, outside Bethlehem an angel announced Jesus’ birth to shepherds. The angel declared to them that their Savior, the Christ/Messiah had been born. They would have a sign of a child lying in a feeding trough, wrapped in swaddling clothes. This sign to the shepherds enabled them to find Jesus,Continue reading “Jesus Available To All”

How Shall We Live?

John makes an interesting statement in 1 John 2:15-17. He says that we are not to love the world, because if you do God’s love is not in you. Everything related to the world that we see is passing away, but the one who does God’s will lives forever. John’s statement seems pretty straight forward,Continue reading “How Shall We Live?”

Who Do You Say Jesus Is?

We live life dealing with many questions that require our answer, however the most important question is one that some may never consider, or conclude that it is irrelevant. It is a question that Jesus posed to his disciples. “Who do you say that I am?” Our response to that question will not only impactContinue reading “Who Do You Say Jesus Is?”

Considering Our Future

Jesus showed that he not only answered the question posed to him, but the assumption behind the question. When the Sadducees came inquiring about marriage in the resurrection from the dead, Jesus clarified their question by addressing their misunderstanding. They assumed that the marriage on earth would carry over in some form after the resurrection,Continue reading “Considering Our Future”

Jesus’ Death

Matthew 20:28 reveals Jesus’ primary purpose for coming. He came to give his life as a ransom for many. The word “lutron” in Greek refers to the price paid to release a slave. The ransom was paid to fulfill the requirements of the Old Testament law. That means Jesus’ death was not paid to theContinue reading “Jesus’ Death”

Living Right Side Up

We live in an upside down world that exists in contrast to how Jesus revealed his Kingdom to be and the world should be. When his disciples asked who was the greatest in Jesus’ Kingdom, Jesus gave them a surprising answer. He called a child to stand in their midst and declared that unless, they,Continue reading “Living Right Side Up”

Grateful Hearts

On this Thanksgiving Day I’m reminded that following Jesus begins with our heart and proceeds to our actions and lifestyle. As Donelle and I sat drinking coffee this morning in the sunshine on our back courtyard enjoying the view of palm and citrus trees, we were both reminded of how much our heavenly Father hasContinue reading “Grateful Hearts”