If you’ve been following along with this series of posts on the Shield of Faith (starting here), you might be thinking, “Whew, I’m struggling with faith and faithfulness.” There is hope. True faith is rooted in who God is. Consider what Paul writes to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2, “If we are faithless, he remainsContinue reading “Sometimes faith follows faithfulness – Shield of Faith, Part 4”
Tag Archives: christianity
Which religion is most pleasing to God – Shield of Faith, Part 2
In the previous post, I described faith as a noun. The noun version of faith is our ideas, opinions that we believe. But there is so much more to faith. Back to the writer of Hebrews. In the previous post we read his definition of faith in Hebrews chapter 11, verse 1. He goes onContinue reading “Which religion is most pleasing to God – Shield of Faith, Part 2”
Why we need to see faith as opinion – Shield of Faith, Part 1
What is faith? There are many ways to describe faith. Faith can be a noun, an idea, and faith can be a verb, an action. When we think of faith as a noun, we might think of a religion. The Christian faith. The Muslim faith. The Hindu faith. There are many, many religious faiths. AContinue reading “Why we need to see faith as opinion – Shield of Faith, Part 1”
How deeply God desires us to experience peace – Boots of Peace, Part 5
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”
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”
Engaging Scripture 