I played soccer in college. Admittedly, it was not high quality college soccer. In fact, with the exception of my very good freshman year college team, I have a feeling my high school team could have beaten my college team every other year. Still, just about all of the players on that college team, allContinue reading “Off the field practices to help you experience flourishing – 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28, Part 5”
Tag Archives: Apostle Paul
Easy Off and the grace of God – 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28, Part 4
In my first post this week, I mentioned that I received a used grill, but it was dirty and some parts were broken. It needed rehab, and rehab takes work. I wish I could snap my fingers and the grill would be magically repaired. But instead, I had to do the work. And that bringsContinue reading “Easy Off and the grace of God – 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28, Part 4”
How thoroughly God wants us to be changed – 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28, Part 3
In our study this week through 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28, Paul writes that God desires to thoroughly our whole being: spirit, soul, and body. God wants all of it to be blameless. There have long been debates among Christian theologians about what the writers of Scripture meant by spirit and soul. Body we get. We engageContinue reading “How thoroughly God wants us to be changed – 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28, Part 3”
I wish there was a medication that would make us more like Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28, Part 2
A few months ago at a community event, a person waved to me smiling, and I waved back with one of those looks on my face that likely said what I was thinking, “I don’t know who you are, but you sure seem to know me, so…Hi!” I hoped they didn’t see my lost look.Continue reading “I wish there was a medication that would make us more like Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28, Part 2”
What my grill taught me about becoming more like Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28, Part 1
My brother received a new grill as a gift, and he posted on social media that he was giving away his old one. His old grill is better than mine, so when I saw my brother’s offer, I texted him, and I was thankful that I was the first person to respond. He delivered theContinue reading “What my grill taught me about becoming more like Jesus – 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28, Part 1”
Be content, but don’t be – 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28, Preview
Is there anything about yourself that you wish you could change? For as long as time, humans have tried to lose weight, get in shape, alter their bodies, learn new skills, and drop bad habits. We try to change jobs, change homes, and change relationships. Some of us are very dissatisfied with aspects of ourContinue reading “Be content, but don’t be – 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28, Preview”
We need Mary Poppins prophets in our lives – 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22, Part 5
It is not just pastors and teachers that need to be humble, self-aware, and teachable, as I wrote in the previous post. When Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:20, “Do not treat prophecies with contempt,” he is pointing out a very common human tendency. Prophecies in the Bible are only rarely predictions of the future.Continue reading “We need Mary Poppins prophets in our lives – 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22, Part 5”
Three tests we can and should use to evaluate preachers and teachers – 1 Thessalonians 5:20–22, Part 4
I observed a recent social media interaction that I think you’ll find interesting. On social media, Pastor #1 posted a video clip of Pastor #2’s sermon. On the video Pastor #2 said this, “If you call yourself a Christian and then behave in an unchristlike manner, you are misusing God’s name.” Agreed. In response toContinue reading “Three tests we can and should use to evaluate preachers and teachers – 1 Thessalonians 5:20–22, Part 4”
Preachers are not Holy Spirit robots? – 1 Thessalonians 5:20–22, Part 3
So far this week, we’ve studied what Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:20, when he says, “Do not hold prophecies in contempt.” But what do we do with the fact that the person is teaching something or prophesying about something that might be incorrect doctrine or teaching? Paul addresses that important concern in what heContinue reading “Preachers are not Holy Spirit robots? – 1 Thessalonians 5:20–22, Part 3”
The place of contempt in the life of the Christian – 1 Thessalonians 5:20–22, Part 2
My wife, Michelle, and I enjoy watching the late night show monologues. Often the hosts poke fun at politicians, exposing the hypocrisy, or sometimes sheer lunacy, of those politicians. Watching those monologues, I will at times say out loud that a politician is an idiot. Have you ever exclaimed something like that? Contempt is drippingContinue reading “The place of contempt in the life of the Christian – 1 Thessalonians 5:20–22, Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 