“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1 ESV). At first glance, the first seven words of this verse seem redundant. Obviously we weren’t set free for captivity! Aaaaaah…there it is. For some reason we Christians aren’t really comfortable with the... Continue Reading →
Walk In Love
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV). We often describe the Christian life as a journey, or more specifically a walk. I believe there are good reasons for that. When... Continue Reading →
Godly Grief
"For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death" (2 Corinthians 7:10 ESV). As children exploring the boundaries of permissible behaviors we all likely did things that landed us in trouble with our parents or other authority figures (or both!). In fact, we may have done those... Continue Reading →
Hidden
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who... Continue Reading →
Through Love… Serve
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13 ESV). I remember longing for the day that I would be an adult. I wanted the freedom to do as I pleased, make my own decisions, be my... Continue Reading →
Alms From Within
"'And the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean... Continue Reading →
Legalism Versus Obedience
When I was a boy I was terrified of consequences. When I obeyed, be it at home, school, or wherever, it was usually because I didn't want to find out what sort of punishment would come from my actions. I rebelled, but my rebellion took place in the hidden section between my two ears. Of... Continue Reading →
Is There More To It? Part 3
Monday we looked at salvation and the milk of the Word. Yesterday we discovered that selfishness keeps us from living our lives for Jesus, who died and was raised for us. We found that we became members of the Body of Christ. Today we will look to the future, not the "pie in the sky" future, but... Continue Reading →
Is There More To It? Part 2
“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised”(2 Corinthians 5:14-15 ESV). Yesterday we looked briefly... Continue Reading →
Shadows
In every scary movie ever produced we are reminded that danger resides in the shadows. Shadows move mysteriously as the light changes, providing a powerful allure. We take comfort in the light, but still we are curiously drawn to the shadows. Shadows are grainy, indistinct, and distorted versions of reality. They provide an image, but... Continue Reading →
Skipping Stones 