The gifts of the Spirit are a facet of our faith that needs to be exercised. Paul clearly states that the Holy Spirit gives us gifts meant to build up the body of Christ. Each believer is given certain gifts. They aren’t for our benefit but the edification of others. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 To each…
Read MoreAs I watch my children play basketball, I am surprised by some of the players’ bravado. They make a simple shot, and they have to motion to the bench and bleachers how good they are. You could blame the kids for imitating the pros, but that is too easy. It is in our human nature to brag about ourselves. As a follower of Jesus, we need to Boast in the Lord.
2 CORINTHIANS 10:17-18
“But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD. For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.”
The Corinthians were full of themselves and would often tell people about it. The culture was vain, with physical appearance and wealth more important than character or integrity. Unfortunately, this carried into the church, and they were constantly criticizing Paul for his unsightly looks and boring speaking skills. They boasted about how their appearances made them better than Paul. Then he let them have it. He tells them he could brag about all he has done and endured, but he chooses to boast of what the Lord has done.
Read MoreIn Medevil times, whenever a king would enter a city or a room, there would be a herald who would announce his coming. People would make way for his vehicle and bow when he entered the room. It was a signal to prepare the people how to act. Before Jesus came, God sent a messenger…
Read MoreNo one likes a fake person. You get that feeling when you talk to someone, and you can sense that there is nothing genuine. Christians can be accused of being fake. When you go to church, and someone asks you how you are doing, and your response is, “great!” If that is not true you…
Read MoreOne of the struggles in life is misplaced trust. It’s when we put our trust in someone we thought was a good person, but they ended up betraying us. It often is someone close to us, like a family member or longtime friend. It hurts and usually costs us something, but we can recover from…
Read MoreYou’ve been set free. That happened when Jesus died on the cross and defeated din’s death grip on the human race. When you confess your sins, those chains are removed, and you’ve been set free. Your debt has been paid, and you can walk without the burden of your sin on your shoulders. 1 Peter…
Read MoreIf you have ever bought a house that required a mortgage, you have probably gone through the process known as escrow. Escrow checks all of the boxes to ensure the change of ownership happens legally. At the end, you sign a multipage contract which tells you your right and lays out the agreement between the…
Read MoreThere is an old adage for parents which states, “The days are long, but the years are short.” Basically, what it is saying is don’t blink, or your time with your children will be gone before you know. Paul expresses the same concern when he says, the Lord will return in the twinkling of an eye, and we will all be changed. Don’t Blink. Jesus could come back, and you could be left behind.
1 Corinthians 15:52
“in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.”
No one wants to think about death or the end of life. Paul addresses some of the concerns people in the church in Corinth had been asking about. What will it be like when Jesus returns, and what happens to those who have already died? Paul also addressed this with the church in Thessalonica. They thought the rapture had happened, and they missed out. Paul explains that when Jesus comes, it is going to be so quick that if you blink, you could miss it. The trumpet is going to sound, and Jesus is going to return on the clouds and gather those who are His. It will start with those who died first, and then those who are still alive will be caught up in the air with Him. It will be a glorious moment.
Read MoreWant to know one of the keys to success in your Christian walk? It’s a simple theory, honestly but challenging to put into application. Rise Above it all. Paul tells the Colossians to focus on what is essential. Think about the things of Christ, and don’t get distracted by the trivial. Rise above it all. One way to do that is to forgive the other person.
Colossians 3:1,13
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.” “bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”
The Colossian was growing fast and making an impact on the region. As always happens, problems crop up and threaten to destroy any momentum that has happened. Paul instructs this young church first to keep their mind focused on things above or heaven. He also tells them to bear with one another and be willing to forgive when others wrong them. Keeping your mind right and your heart free of bitterness will make you available to be used by God.
Read MoreThe darkness of a room can be disconcerting and confusing. It is easy to lose your frame of reference and not know where you are. Very little good comes out of the darkness. That is why Jesus said He was the light of the world. He illuminates the darkness and exposes the evil that resides there. Sadly, people who are in the darkness don’t want to be exposed. If you are struggling you can overcome the darkness. The power of the light Jesus brings is more powerful than any darkness.
John 3:17-19
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
Come out of the dark. The pressure of life builds up for everyone. How we handle that pressure can make or break us. Many people choose to cope with that pressure by indulging in private sin. That momentary escape gives them a brief respite from the stress of life. Unfortunately, that temporary fix becomes a necessity. It starts taking up more time than we want it too. Soon we find ourselves in a place where we can’t stop and we are too embarrassed to seek help. When we finally get exposed there is a sense of relief but there is still that pull to run back to our dark place. We can get free from that bondage that ensnares us. Come out of the dark and turn to Jesus.
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