“In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.” -Galatians 3:26 In one sense, the saying is true that all people are part of one family and are brothers and sisters of one another. However, when the apostle Paul addressed this issue, he specifically spoke of the spiritual family of those who follow Jesus. How are we family? Through faith. When we place our faith in Jesus, we become brothers and sisters with millions of men, women, and... Read more
“All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.” -Galatians 2:10 Leaders care for the poor. When Paul met with Peter, James, and John–the big three church leaders–they debated several issues and ideas. One thing they did not debate was whether to help those in need. The only question was how. If you are a spiritual leader, you cannot separate learning from serving or evangelism from... Read more
“I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: ‘The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’ And they praised God because of me.” -Galatians 1:22-24 Imagine your church’s leaders reporting, “Remember that guy who was trying to arrest the pastor and shut down our church? He became a Christian. Now he’s a missionary.” What would your first thought be? Skepticism? Perhaps. In... Read more
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” -2 Corinthians 13:5 Paul ends 2 Corinthians with strong words. Rather than soothing encouragement and phrases riff with blessing, he concludes with a challenge and a question. The challenge? “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.” His readers may have been very offended. “What, me doubt my... Read more
“For when I am weak, then I am strong.” -2 Corinthians 12:10 Do you ever have one of those days when nothing seems to go right? We all do. Our automatic response in those times is often to ask, “Why would God allow this to happen?” The Apostle Paul gives us the answer. “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Is it possible God could allow our day to seemingly spin out of control to reveal our frailty... Read more
We are loved in our weakness by the One without weakness. Read more
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.” -2 Corinthians 10:3-4 There are the battles of life–wars, revolution, civil uprisings–and then there is the battle Paul speaks of–spiritual battle. His teaching regarding the unseen world is just as deadly as any bomb or army, yet its hidden nature causes many believers to downplay the importance of what is called spiritual... Read more
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. What is cheerful giving? Apparently, it has little to do with the amount we give and everything to do with the attitude with which we give. The Apostle Paul said little about a percentage or even... Read more
“And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” -2 Corinthians 8:1-2 Overflowing joy. Have you ever met someone whose joy oozes? Whose life spills onto those around them? If you have, perhaps like me you found yourself wondering, “How can I get some of that?” When Paul spoke... Read more
“But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us…” -2 Corinthians 7:6 I find it refreshing that the God who comforts the downcast comforted Paul. As a leader in the early church, Paul considered himself in need of God’s help every step of the journey. Even after writing several letters of the New Testament, performing miracles, and starting churches, his attention remained on God rather than fame or fortune. We don’t see Paul as a laid back guy content with a... Read more
Holy Writ
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