In this series of posts on the Scripture readings for the First Sunday of Advent 2019, we’ve been learning how to wait during hard times. In the previous post about the fourth reading, Luke 21:25-36, we heard from Jesus how NOT to wait. Now we continue in that passage, and Jesus teaches the proper wayContinue reading “How TO wait during hard times [First Sunday of Advent, part 5]”
Tag Archives: Jesus
Being faithful in the waiting [First Sunday of Advent, part 3]
Thus far the readings for the First Sunday of Advent have begun with a prophecy from 600 BC that God would send a new king to Israel, and that the people needed to get ready for that king by practicing repentance. We looked at Luke 1, which describes Jesus as the fulfillment of that prophecy. Continue reading “Being faithful in the waiting [First Sunday of Advent, part 3]”
There is hope in dark times! [First Sunday of Advent, part 1]
For Advent 2018, Faith Church will be following the readings in the Revised Common Lectionary. Each Sunday we’ll look at how the four readings tie together thematically, all supporting the goals of the season of Advent. Thus we are pausing our series on Deuteronomy. We’ll return to that after the New Year 2019. Why doesContinue reading “There is hope in dark times! [First Sunday of Advent, part 1]”
Jesus wants to destroy your echo chamber [God’s heart for people to find truth, part 5]
In this series of posts on Deuteronomy 18, we’ve been talking about how we need to get out of the echo chambers of life and find the truth in Jesus. There is an interesting story in John18:33 and following. Jesus has been arrested, and he was taken to the Roman governor Pilate. The Jewish leadersContinue reading “Jesus wants to destroy your echo chamber [God’s heart for people to find truth, part 5]”
Who is THE prophet? [God’s heart for people to find truth, part 4]
In part 3 of this series, we met a prophet named John the Baptist in the book of the Bible titled John (though the “John” in that title was a different John!) In John 1:25, the people question John the Baptist about his ministry. They wanted to out him as the Messiah (the savior kingContinue reading “Who is THE prophet? [God’s heart for people to find truth, part 4]”
Should Christians have rules for holy living? (how God’s list of clean and unclean foods in Deuteronomy 14 matters to Christians, part 5)
What are the rules for holy living? If you had to list some rules you have heard, what would you write? Holiness refers to purity, so maybe you would include rules about avoiding putting anything unclean into your body. Maybe you would include rules about washing, sanitizing, and purifying the water and air. Toxicity isContinue reading “Should Christians have rules for holy living? (how God’s list of clean and unclean foods in Deuteronomy 14 matters to Christians, part 5)”
How to grow your love for God, part 4 (why following his commands is not burdensome)
Does following God sometimes feel burdensome to you? Can it seem like there are so many rules, and your heart and mind are not inclined to follow those rules? If you’ve ever thought or felt something close to that, you’re not alone. Many people have wondered why following God’s ways can be so difficult. MostContinue reading “How to grow your love for God, part 4 (why following his commands is not burdensome)”
When you start to change and your friends don’t like it
Have you ever gone through a life change, and that change affected your friendships? You know who your real friends are when you start changing. Perhaps you believe new things, or maybe you have shed a long-held belief, and your friends are pushing back. It could be that you have stopped doing something that youContinue reading “When you start to change and your friends don’t like it”
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 one crucial step that must come before doing God’s will
What is the will of God? Yesterday we looked at the surprising weapon Christians are to arm themselves with: the attitude of Jesus, which was an attitude of following the will of God for his life no matter what. As we continue studying 1 Peter 4:1-6, Peter goes on to say in verse 2 thatContinue reading “The one crucial step that must come before doing God’s will”
Engaging Scripture 