How is your heart? We normally think of this question in medical terms. But in this post, think about your heart in spiritual terms. Does God have your heart? In this series of posts on the first 16 verses of the ancient letter called Jude, we’ve been learning that Jude was writing to Christians toContinue reading “How’s your heart? – Jude 1-16, Part 3”
Author Archives: joelkime
Impostors in the church – Jude 1-16, Part 2
Are you an impostor? Are there impostors in your church? In part 1 of this series on Jude 1-16, we talked about impostors, and in this next post we’re going to learn a whole lot more about them. In verse 2 Jude gives the Christians a customary short blessing featuring mercy, peace and love, allContinue reading “Impostors in the church – Jude 1-16, Part 2”
You are Called, Loved, Kept – Jude 1-16, Part 1
Have you ever known someone who turns out to be very different from what you originally thought? Sometimes we get that impression about a person as we get to know them. Other times people change. Then there are people who just fool you. Malcolm Gladwell in his recent book Talking to Strangers tells the storyContinue reading “You are Called, Loved, Kept – Jude 1-16, Part 1”
How to live a non-hypocritical life – 3rd John, Part 5
Remember the story I told about the difficult boss who was terrible to work for, but he was a kind and caring gentleman among his church family? One way in one setting, totally different in another. Now that we have studied 3rd John, and we have learned about walking in truth, we can conclude withContinue reading “How to live a non-hypocritical life – 3rd John, Part 5”
What’s more important: belief or action? – 3rd John, Part 4
As we continue studying the ancient letter of 3rd John, we read at the end of verse 6 that John writes his friend Gaius encouraging him to send some fellow Christians on their way in a manner worthy of God. In other words, he is saying to Gaius, “keep doing what you’re doing in supportingContinue reading “What’s more important: belief or action? – 3rd John, Part 4”
How to walk in truth (and find out if you aren’t) – 3rd John, Part 3
If you created an anonymous online survey asking your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to describe your pattern of life, what would they say? What tendencies do you have? What comes to mind when they think about you? What impressions do the choices of your life make on the people around you? How do youContinue reading “How to walk in truth (and find out if you aren’t) – 3rd John, Part 3”
3 ways to pray for your friends – 3rd John, Part 2
How should you pray for your friends? As we continuing studying the letter called 3rd John, after greeting his friend Gaius, instead of conveying a blessing from God, as so often happens in the biblical letters, John next describes how he prays for his friend. It’s a great prayer, too, one that you can useContinue reading “3 ways to pray for your friends – 3rd John, Part 2”
Can we say “I love you” non-romantically? 3rd John, Part 1
I recently heard the true story of a boss who was very controlling, difficult and demanding. As a result was a very stressful person to work for. His employees always felt like they were on thin ice around him. One day one of the boss’ employees was meeting new people at a dinner party, andContinue reading “Can we say “I love you” non-romantically? 3rd John, Part 1″
How to love deceivers and other difficult people – 2nd John, Part 5
In the previous post, John warned the Christians in the church about deceivers in their midst. But who was he talking about? Open a Bible or read online in 2nd John verses 10-11 to see how John describes them. Some scholars believe that he is talking about itinerant teachers who believed false doctrine. There wereContinue reading “How to love deceivers and other difficult people – 2nd John, Part 5”
How to respond to deceivers in a church – 2nd John, Part 4
How much should Christians interact with the secular world? I live in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, which is known for our Amish community, a Christian sect that practices a form of separation from the world. As I type this, I can look out my kitchen window and see my Amish neighbors wearing their traditional clothing and ridingContinue reading “How to respond to deceivers in a church – 2nd John, Part 4”
Engaging Scripture 