I recently heard what is reported to be a true story from a Sunday school teacher in Dublin, Ireland. She writes, “I was testing the children in my Sunday school class to see if they understood the concept of getting into Heaven. I asked them, ‘If I sold my house and my car and had aContinue reading “When to subject ourselves to the authorities, and when not to – Titus 3:1-8, Part 1”
Tag Archives: christians
Appoint or Elect? How should we select leaders in the church? Titus 1:5-9, Part 1
I recently heard the story of a pastor who got in a predicament. The story goes like this: “A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short on time and couldn’t find a space with a meter. Then he put a note under his windshield wiper thatContinue reading “Appoint or Elect? How should we select leaders in the church? Titus 1:5-9, Part 1”
False Ideas Christians Believe About…Money
Today, as we continue our series on False Ideas that Christians believe, we are fact-checking statements about money and generosity. You can’t out-give God. Give and you will receive. It’s my money; I worked hard for it. Money is the root of all evil. Let’s start with… On the surface, this one is true. GodContinue reading “False Ideas Christians Believe About…Money”
This too shall pass? [False ideas Christians believe about…difficulty. Part 4]
Are the difficult times in life good or bad? You might read that and think, “How could difficult times ever be good?” Well, when we experience suffering, we tend to feel more helpless and needy and thus we pray more. Increased levels of communication with God, as with any relationship in which greater communication almostContinue reading “This too shall pass? [False ideas Christians believe about…difficulty. Part 4]”
God loves roof fences? [Should Christians Observe the Old Testament Law – Deuteronomy 21-25, part 4]
See the roof fence in this picture? It’s called a parapet. Did you know that God’s heart beats for parapets? Or does it? Does God care about that kind of thing? What does God’s heart beat for? Do you know God’s heart? What makes God’s heart beat? Even in ancient laws created for the peopleContinue reading “God loves roof fences? [Should Christians Observe the Old Testament Law – Deuteronomy 21-25, part 4]”
God cares about cross-dressing and fallen bird’s nests? [Should Christians Observe the Old Testament Law – Deuteronomy 21-25, part 1]
I wonder how many women reading this post are wearing some form of pants? Actually, what I should do is ask, how many of you are wearing clothing that is traditionally women’s clothing? Some form of dress or skirt? All of you wearing shorts, pants or jeans, why did you choose something so detestable? YouContinue reading “God cares about cross-dressing and fallen bird’s nests? [Should Christians Observe the Old Testament Law – Deuteronomy 21-25, part 1]”
The difficulties of holy war passages in the Old Testament [Christians & War – Deuteronomy 20, part 3]
In part 1 and part 2 of this series on Deuteronomy 20, we learned that Israel’s priests and army officers are to address the army before battle. Now God gives them some instructions about how to carry out battle. If you aren’t aware of these passages of Scripture, brace yourselves, as they can be shocking.Continue reading “The difficulties of holy war passages in the Old Testament [Christians & War – Deuteronomy 20, part 3]”
Must Christians eat kosher? (how God’s list of clean and unclean foods in Deuteronomy 14 matters to Christians, part 4)
As I mentioned yesterday, God details his kosher law in his covenant with Israel. This week we are studying Deuteronomy 14:1-21, and yesterday we looked at the fairly extensive list of animals that God declares clean or unclean for Israel. But what about Christians? Are we to apply kosher law to our lives? Let’s lookContinue reading “Must Christians eat kosher? (how God’s list of clean and unclean foods in Deuteronomy 14 matters to Christians, part 4)”
Christians, has Jesus transformed your life? Here’s how you can tell.
A question for any of you who consider yourselves Christians, followers of Jesus: would you say that Jesus has transformed your life? Yesterday we saw that Jesus transformed Peter’s life. It wouldn’t surprise me if Peter has that memory in mind as he continues his teaching in 1 Peter 4:1-6. In verse 3 he buildsContinue reading “Christians, has Jesus transformed your life? Here’s how you can tell.”
The surprising weapon followers of Jesus arm themselves with
One of the biggest questions followers of Jesus ask is: how much should we be in the world, exposing ourselves to the world, participating in activities or behaviors that are considered normative in the world? And by contrast, how much should we remove ourselves from the world? Which behaviors should we stop? How much shouldContinue reading “The surprising weapon followers of Jesus arm themselves with”
Engaging Scripture 