Almost every translation of the Bible begins Genesis 1:1 with the phrase, “In the beginning.” The CEB, however, says, “When God began to create…” What might God want to tell us through this familiar passage, rendered in an unfamiliar way? Scripture: Genesis, chapters 1-2; Luke, chapter 1 Genesis 1:1-5 (CEB): When God began to create the heavens and the earth – the earth was without shape or form, it was dark over the deep sea, and God’s wind swept over... Read more
I grew up in a faith tradition that did not really follow the Christian calendar. We celebrated Palm Sunday, Easter, and Christmas. We gave a nod to Pentecost, because we’re part of the Wesleyan-Holiness stream of Christianity. But Lent? Advent? Uh, not so much. But here are 4 (or 6) important 2024 dates for your faith journey. (For some ideas on how to strengthen your faith journey in the coming year, see my previous post, “5 Ways to Improve Your... Read more
New Year’s Day is traditionally a time when people make “New Year’s Resolutions.” People make these resolutions to try to improve some aspect of their lives. In that vein, why not consider these 5 ways to improve your faith journey in 2024? Improve Your Faith: Connect with a local church Is church attendance optional? The COVID shutdowns only exacerbated a trend away from church attendance that had started years before. I’m not someone who thinks the past was always “the... Read more
A Discipleship Journey As we approach the end of the year, people commonly make resolutions for the coming year. In that vein, I’d like to invite you to join me on a journey in 2024 – a discipleship journey. This journey will take you deeper into Scripture, and your relationship with Jesus. How can I saw that so confidently? Because of my personal experience with reading and reflecting on Scripture over the past six years. The Divine Mentor In 2017,... Read more
Faith doesn’t mean obeying when we see, or understand. Faith means trusting enough, like the centurion, to say to Jesus, “Just say the word!” Scripture: Matthew, chapters 8-10 Matthew 8:5-13 (NLT): When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.” Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home.... Read more
In 2 Corinthians 7:1, Paul calls us to “work toward complete holiness.” What does that mean, and how do we do it? Scripture: 2 Corinthians, chapters 7-10 2 Corinthians 7:1 (NLT): Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God. Observations: “Complete Holiness” The concept of holiness causes a great deal of confusion and disagreement within the Church.... Read more
God created us to be in relationship with him. Sin broke that relationship, but through Christ we can be reconciled to God! Scripture: 2 Corinthians, chapters 3-6 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (NLT): And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave... Read more
God’s promise to his children is not that they will be comfortable, but that he will comfort them. And God comforts us to comfort others! Scripture: Job, chapters 41-42; 2 Corinthians, chapters 1-2 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (NLT): All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able... Read more
God has given us a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead (1 Peter 1:3). That hope is for this life, and for the life to come! Scripture: Psalm 149; 1 Corinthians, chapters 15-16 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 (NLT): But tell me this – since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ... Read more
In Galatians 5, Paul gives us a contrast between the impact of the sinful nature and the work of the Spirit. The Spirit brings life! Scripture: Job, chapters 31-32; Galatians, chapters 5-6 Galatians 5:13-26 (NLT): For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command:... Read more
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