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?”

False Teachers -two sides of the same coin.

Yesterday, we talked about Christ being enough and getting discouraged when we look to people and things to do for us as only Christ can. We can also get discouraged and off track when we think we need to add to what Christ has done or change what God has said through His Word. ThisContinue reading “False Teachers -two sides of the same coin.”

Jesus is and will be enough

Jesus was enough on the day we were saved, and He will be enough every day we ever live. The Apostle Paul, who walked in such victory, through the hardest of circumstances with real joy, says, in Christ “dwells all fullness of the Godhead bodily and you are complete in Him, who is the headContinue reading “Jesus is and will be enough”

Are there false teachers among us?

Are there false teachers among us? Certainly. The early church was impacted by them and so are we. The Apostle Paul was prompted to write his letter to the church at Colosse to encourage believers to walk in Christ and resist the false teaching of the day. Paul sought out to refute the false teachingContinue reading “Are there false teachers among us?”

Don’t give up!

Spurgeon said, “Spiritual ignorance is the constant source of error, instability, and sorrow.” The Apostle Paul would agree as he sets out to convey the truth of the riches of God’s glory in this letter to the Colossians that he has penned. He knew hearts would be encouraged and knit together by the treasures ofContinue reading “Don’t give up!”

Who do you celebrate? Part of my story…

The angel said to the shepherds, “Fear not, for I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” There is good news of great joy because the Savior was born. Yet so many feel no joy. They remain unaffected by the familiarity of the Christmas story. So many, especiallyContinue reading “Who do you celebrate? Part of my story…”

Let’s don’t neglect to praise God in the midst of hard things…

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (1 Tim 1:17) As Paul wrote those words in his letter to Timothy, I wonder if he sat his pen down, lifted his hands to Heaven and was overcome with praise to the Lord?Continue reading “Let’s don’t neglect to praise God in the midst of hard things…”