Have you ever thoughts that you be so happy if you hit the lottery? I have. I have dreamed of how I would spend the money. It sounds so freeing. I would be free from debt. My kids would have no college debt. I get excited just typing it. Many of us can feel thatContinue reading “The only way to truly fulfill your longings – First Sunday of Advent 2019, Part 5”
Tag Archives: Holy Spirit
How Christian freedom should not lead Christians to behave badly – First Sunday of Advent 2019, Part 4
Have you ever heard Christians say that if churches or Christian institutions don’t have rules and regulations, people will go off the rails leading to anarchy? So if we want to be good Christians, they say, then we should be making new rules, like the ones in the previous post: no wearing lipstick or smokingContinue reading “How Christian freedom should not lead Christians to behave badly – First Sunday of Advent 2019, Part 4”
How to pray in the Spirit – Jude 17-25, Part 3
What is prayer like for you? Do you spend much time praying? And when you pray, what do you actually do? How much do you talk? How much do you listen? As we continue our series through Jude 17-25, we’re learning how to be ready for Jesus to return, and the next practice Jude teachesContinue reading “How to pray in the Spirit – Jude 17-25, Part 3”
God’s purpose for your life – Titus 3:1-8, Part 4
Stop! Don’t read this post. (I know. That’s not an advisable way to start a blog post.) Before continuing with this post, thought, if you haven’t read the previous post, part 3, please go back and read it here. In this series of posts, we’re studying the amazing teaching of Titus 3:1-8, so actually, IContinue reading “God’s purpose for your life – Titus 3:1-8, Part 4”
What is the Bible? [False ideas Christians believe about…the Bible. Part 2]
What is the Bible? “Well, that’s obvious, Joel,” you might say, “the Bible is the Word of God.” Yes, that is the obvious answer, but it is not enough. It is true that the Bible is the Word of God, but it also needs some explanation that we don’t normally think about. As we sawContinue reading “What is the Bible? [False ideas Christians believe about…the Bible. Part 2]”
How to hear God speak through the Bible
Many people say they do not hear God. Many others say they do hear God speak. I believe them. God speaks through dreams, visions, audible voices, etc. I’m sometimes jealous of that because I do not believe I have ever heard God speak to me in an audible voice, or in a whisper inContinue reading “How to hear God speak through the Bible”
Is Sola Scriptura broken? (or Can we really read the Bible and hear from God?)
When you read the Bible, do you think that God will speak to you through it? How do you know that you will understand it properly? What if God wants to tell you X and you believe he said Y? Does Sola Scriptura mean that any Christian can just open up the Scriptures and understandContinue reading “Is Sola Scriptura broken? (or Can we really read the Bible and hear from God?)”
Overcoming our fears, Part 2 – God’s role in calming our fears – Luke 12:1-2
People say that their two greatest fears are death and speaking in public. In Luke 12:1-12 Jesus talked with his disciples about these two fears. Perhaps what he said will help you overcome those fears! In Verses 4-7 he refers to the fear of death. Do not be afraid, but do fear God, he lovesContinue reading “Overcoming our fears, Part 2 – God’s role in calming our fears – Luke 12:1-2”
The Spiritual Gift Game Show! – 1st Corinthians 12:1-11
Phil Bartelt started things out this past Sunday with “Kingdom Life,” a Spiritual Gifts Game Show! Do you know your spiritual gift(s)? Are you using your gift(s)? When we had sermon discussion group after the worship service, we had a great time talking about what it means to have spiritual gifts, and yet there wereContinue reading “The Spiritual Gift Game Show! – 1st Corinthians 12:1-11”
Engaging Scripture 