July 24, 2019
DOES GOD WITHHOLD GOOD FROM US? God already gave us His best. Therefore, let us not accuse Him of withholding any good thing from us. If we do not have it, it is because He has something better for us. Or it is because He is training us in righteousness through suffering. Our God has
July 22, 2019
WHO ARE YOU TRYING TO PLEASE? The apostle Paul wrote that only those under the control of the Holy Spirit are able to think about the things that please God. Without the Spirit, we are left to ourselves and to the control of the sin nature, which the Bible calls the “flesh.” The flesh is
July 21, 2019
THE NEW WAY OF LIVING We don’t serve God by following a checklist, but by living under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Legalism does not please God as it only reveals our unrighteousness and prideful hearts. This “new way” of living is not about effort or earning, but believing and receiving. Those who have
July 19, 2019
LOVE SHOWN IS GREATER THAN LOVE SPOKEN Yes, love demonstrated is greater than love spoken. Yet, God has done both through Christ Jesus. He is the Logos, the greatest and fullest communication of God and God’s love to us. He is love in the flesh. He is Love come down from heaven to become one
July 17, 2019
IS YOUR RECORD CLEARED? Paul quoted David’s psalm (Psa. 32:1-2) to support his explanation about how being made right with God is not by works, but by faith alone. When we place our faith in Christ and receive forgiveness and salvation, His blood not only covers our sin, it washes it away. Our “record” is
July 15, 2019
SEEKING THE APPLAUSE OF THE ONE Paul explained that the sign of circumcision was not sufficient to please God without the accompanying evidence of a changed heart. And a heart changed by the Holy Spirit always seeks the approval of God rather than men. For the one who is born again wants what the Father
July 12, 2019
SPIRITUALLY ENCOURAGING GET-TOGETHERS This is what “get-togethers” should accomplish–– mutual encouragement of our faith. By the way, thanks to all for the birthday greetings today. You’ve encouraged me. I look forward to encouraging you back, when we get-together again! PRAYER: Lord, help us to always share our spiritual gifts with one another, so that
May 12, 2019 | Romans 8:18-39 |
For most who pose the question of why God allows suffering, it is neither a philosophical, nor a theological one. For most, it is a personal question. What’s your story today? How are you dealing with the problem of suffering and evil in our world?
God inspired the apostle Paul to consider the problem of suffering and to write to encourage the believers in Rome. He revealed that there’s definitely more to the story! In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he explained why there is suffering in God’s creation, encouraging them to compare it against the weight of God’s glory that awaits those who believe. We can understand why there is suffering in God’s creation, knowing that a greater glory awaits those of us who believe.
November 18, 2018 | Romans 4:1-25 |
The claim of Christ is not only for “Christians.” It is for everyone. This may go against today’s culture, but we believe that faith in Christ is the only way to be made right with God. Christ is the only path to God. In other words, the only way to receive God’s justification is by faith in Christ Jesus.
In Romans 4, the apostle Paul put forth the Old Testament examples of Abraham and David as evidence that God’s justification has always been by faith alone.
November 11, 2018 | Romans 3:21-31 |
Are you right with God? Every religion asks this question. And all of them but one, give the same answer–– it depends on your spiritual report card. If you have good moral and religious grades, then God will accept you. But this is not the answer given in Christianity. Authentic Christianity actually informs us that we are not right with God and that there’s no way that we can get right with Him on our own. So, God sent His Son Jesus to take the test of life and got a perfect score. His spiritual report card has straight “A”s! And God offers to exchange Christ’s perfect report in place of our failing one. In Romans 3:21-31, the apostle Paul told the Romans that the only way to receive the righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ. We can understand why the righteousness of God can only be received by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.