Sin and The Holy Spirit.

Did you mess up? Did you blow it? Honestly, how did that feel? Convicted? Guilty? Ashamed? When, as Christians, we fall to sin, it does not, and should not, feel good, or right, or free. It should most definitely bother us. One of the Holy Spirit’s jobs is to “bother us” about our sin. (JohnContinue reading “Sin and The Holy Spirit.”

Don’t change the message!

These words were written to those who would seek to follow the Lord, those suffering for the faith, those not yet born, and those who would live in the End of Days. These were the last words of a dying saint who knew his time was short. Don’t miss this! Paul uses STRONG words whenContinue reading “Don’t change the message!”

We have what we need,but God won’t force it on us.

Just before the Apostle Paul would die, he records how he was able to run his race so well. Paul was thoroughly equipped for every good work-including sitting in a prison and writing powerful truth we study all these thousands of years later. Paul would never leave that prison but had all he needed forContinue reading “We have what we need,but God won’t force it on us.”

We are wrong if we think God does not do this.

I usually breeze past genealogies in the Bible. Except this time I didn’t. (Matt 1) I stopped in adoration of the God, who could have chosen a more flawless lineage, but instead, chose to use and call out by name those with a very checkered past in the birth of His Son. Matthew 1:1-16 listsContinue reading “We are wrong if we think God does not do this.”

Christians aren’t defined by our pasts.

The evil one is masterful at deceiving even God’s children into believing God can’t possibly forgive them and that they will always be defined by what they have done in the past. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard others say… I can’t be used by God because —I can’t serve atContinue reading “Christians aren’t defined by our pasts.”

End of Days?

The disciples wanted to know when the End of Days would come. (Luke 21:7) I want to know, too. In Luke 21, Jesus gives what is commonly called the Olivet Discourse (Jesus was at the Mount of Olives when He said these things. Matthew 24 also records, in greater detail, the Olivet Discourse, and isContinue reading “End of Days?”

No turning away. Even when we don’t understand.

To watch someone suffer pain and hold on to God, knowing He could’ve stopped it, but chose not to, is truly a holy thing to witness. My words don’t seem worthy to even attempt to describe such. Yet, little has encouraged my faith as much as this story has. It’s one I’ve closely watched unfoldContinue reading “No turning away. Even when we don’t understand.”

I’m not sure if I should talk about this…

I’m not sure if I should talk about this. I don’t want anyone to feel bad, because I truly wouldn’t trade a thing. But it’s hard. Middle age. Being in the middle of your adult kids and your aging loved ones. Trying to rejoice, and help, and encourage, while all the while watching your ownContinue reading “I’m not sure if I should talk about this…”

People are increasingly upset by truth.

For years, I’ve merely studied the Bible and written what I’ve learned. I’ve been encouraged by so many who study with me. But others, including some friends and family, have not liked what I have written on things like marriage, abortion, gender identity, homosexuality etc. Most are fairly kind in theirdisagreement, but I’ve also receivedContinue reading “People are increasingly upset by truth.”

Struggling to believe?

Noah lived 350 years after the flood and dies. His descendants are listed in Genesis 10. The earth population grows. At this point, all the people spoke the same language and they decided to stay together and build a city and a tall tower in the plain of Shinar (Babylon). (Gen 11) But remember, GodContinue reading “Struggling to believe?”

This will help you.

Continue earnestly in prayer, being VIGILANT in it with THANKSGIVING (Col 4:2, emphasis mine). Being vigilant in prayer is tied to thanksgiving. I keep praying because I’m thankful for a God who answers prayers. A thankful heart inspires hope. Hope leads to prayer. And by thankful, I mean grateful. There’s such POWER in a gratefulContinue reading “This will help you.”

God can do so much with our simple acts of obedience.

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” (Col 3:18) Why didn’t Paul start with the next verse about husbands loving their wives? (Col 3:19) Does he have to be so direct? And aren’t words like “submit” out of style? Can’t we just ignore this? Not only is the call forContinue reading “God can do so much with our simple acts of obedience.”

What do I want more?

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Col 3:17) If I’m doing something in the name of the Lord Jesus, I’m doing it His way and for His glory. If I’m trying to please men, I can’tContinue reading “What do I want more?”

This will help you…

If we want true joy and to live out our faith in a way that makes an eternal difference, the Apostle Paul says we are to “put on the new man” which means putting to death our old sinful ways. (Col 3:5-11) And, you know “old sinful ways” sounds like not such a big deal,Continue reading “This will help you…”

Are you one of these?

We are all tempted to sin, but we don’t have to give in to that temptation. In chapter 3 of Colossians, Paul offers wisdom for living out our lives in obedience to Christ – “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right handContinue reading “Are you one of these?”

How on earth do you do THIS?

As I come to the end of Chapter 2 of Colossians, I’m struck by Paul’s last sentence. “These things have the appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are no value against the indulgence of the flesh.” If I don’t want to indulge my flesh, I can’t relyContinue reading “How on earth do you do THIS?”

Be careful in who you allow to lead you.

Paul’s warning about false teaching is not limited to the letter he wrote to the church of Colosse. In fact, his words to Timothy on this subject are also important to study as we dig deep into this wisdom. Let’s go there today. Paul’s prodigy, Timothy, is wise beyond his years and well studied inContinue reading “Be careful in who you allow to lead you.”

When Temporary can feel Eternal

Temporary problems can get us all down. But we need to have our theology straight in order to not get consumed by them. There have always been those who want to take away from the Bible and those who want to add to it. When Paul wrote his letter, many of the Christians in ColosseContinue reading “When Temporary can feel Eternal”

Have you had this happen?

Beware. Paul said, “Beware”. “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Col 2:8) The false teachers of Paul’s day were combining worldly philosophies with the gospel and people were being deceived. This deceitContinue reading “Have you had this happen?”