As we conclude this week’s blog series about the Boots of Peace in the Armor of God, consider what Paul writes about peace in Ephesians 2, verses 11-22: “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his fleshContinue reading “How deeply God desires us to experience peace – Boots of Peace, Part 5”
Tag Archives: christianity
Where peace is found – Boots of Peace, Part 4
How do we find peace? In the story of the birth of Jesus, the shepherds just outside the town of Bethlehem had the shock of their lives when angels showed up in the sky above them, telling them that the Messiah had been born that evening right there in the town of Bethlehem. What didContinue reading “Where peace is found – Boots of Peace, Part 4”
When it comes to the Gospel are you ready or stuck? – Boots of Peace, Part 2
A few years ago I was playing disc golf with my oldest son, his wife, and my third son. On one hole, my third son threw his disc, and it landed in a muddy spot. We didn’t realize just how muddy it was. My son stepped in the mud to retrieve his disc, and hisContinue reading “When it comes to the Gospel are you ready or stuck? – Boots of Peace, Part 2”
Why Jesus said the so-called “righteous” people are wrong – Breastplate of Righteousness, Part 2
In the previous post, we observed Jesus preaching the beginning of his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7). At the outset, it seems like Jesus is taking his culture’s precious Mosaic Law and ripping it up. How so? First, in his Beatitudes teaching he says that the Kingdom of God is available to all! Continue reading “Why Jesus said the so-called “righteous” people are wrong – Breastplate of Righteousness, Part 2″
Jesus’ culture-bending teaching – Breastplate of Righteousness, Part 1
From an ancient military standpoint, the breastplate is piece of armor covering the chest, primarily to protect the heart and lungs from the possibility of being pierced by arrows or blows from blades and stones. It is very similar to Kevlar bullet proof vests that contemporary soldiers wear. In Ephesians 6:14b, the apostle Paul continues,Continue reading “Jesus’ culture-bending teaching – Breastplate of Righteousness, Part 1”
How to hear the truth and speak it – Belt of Truth, Part 5
I recently saw a church sign message that asked the question, “How can you be a jerk during the week, then worship on Sunday?” Most church sign messages I see are ridiculous and counterproductive, but that one spoke truth. That was some truth in love that all Christians need to hear. Are we grumpy? WeContinue reading “How to hear the truth and speak it – Belt of Truth, Part 5”
Two important ways to embrace truth – Belt of Truth, Part 4
In 1 John 4, the apostle John writes Christians about grounding themselves in truth. He writes in 1 John 4:1-6, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize theContinue reading “Two important ways to embrace truth – Belt of Truth, Part 4”
What it means to gird up your loins – Belt of Truth, Part 2
Have you ever heard the phrase, “gird up your loins”? It’s not a phrase we say much anymore, but it relates to the first piece of the Armor of God, the Belt of Truth. But when you hear “gird up your loins,” it doesn’t sound like it is referring to armor. Obviously the translators ofContinue reading “What it means to gird up your loins – Belt of Truth, Part 2”
Is spiritual warfare real? – Ephesians 6:10-13, Part 2
Is spiritual warfare real? Perhaps the most famous biblical passage about spiritual warfare is Ephesians 6, verses 10-20, about the Armor of God. For the next couple months, we will be studying the Armor of God. This week we are looking at verses 10-13, the introduction to the passage. The writer of this passage isContinue reading “Is spiritual warfare real? – Ephesians 6:10-13, Part 2”
How to have strong opinions and be humble too – How to interact with people who view the world differently than you, Part 5
In the first post in this series, I talked about unity as Christians agreeing on top tier issues. What are top tier issues? That God is father, son and Holy Spirit, and that it is only through God the Son, Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection that sin, death and the devil are defeated, andContinue reading “How to have strong opinions and be humble too – How to interact with people who view the world differently than you, Part 5”
Engaging Scripture 