Ephesians 1:15-23, Part 1 How do you know if your faith in God is true faith? In Ephesians 1:15-23, before Paul prays for the Christians, he describes true faith. When he describes true faith, I find it fascinating what Paul doesn’t say. He could have said, “I see your faith because you gather for worshipContinue reading “How to know if you faith is true faith”
Tag Archives: love
A profoundly important description of church
Ephesians intro, part 5 A close friend from church and I work out on Tuesday and Thursday mornings with another guy. Recently that other guy, who is not part of our church, told us that he was reading the Bible over the weekend and thought the passage he was reading sounded like our church. I perkedContinue reading “A profoundly important description of church”
The surprising place Jesus said he wants to have a home (hint…it’s not in heaven)
Trust & Obey, Week 1: John 3 & John 14, Part 5 Jesus has been attempting to prepare his disciples for a major change, that he will be leaving them. But he says he will send the Spirit to be with them. Clearly, the disciples are unsettled and confused. So Jesus needs to explain further. Continue reading “The surprising place Jesus said he wants to have a home (hint…it’s not in heaven)”
The second movement to bring peace – Jesus’ love and peace, Part 5
As I’m typing this, my wife is at Refreshing Recreation. The program is an effort her organization started to provide a place for local families living in hotels to have a delicious meal and a gym for their kids to play sports and other games. Our school district has so many families living in localContinue reading “The second movement to bring peace – Jesus’ love and peace, Part 5”
The importance of free will – Jesus’ love and peace, Part 1
In the first century when Jesus was alive, the land of Israel was controlled by the Roman Empire. Rome was the superpower of the day, and they had an ideology called the Pax Romana. Roman Peace. They wanted peace in their empire. And largely they achieved peace. Do you know how the Romans achieved peace? Continue reading “The importance of free will – Jesus’ love and peace, Part 1”
We need Mary Poppins prophets in our lives – 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22, Part 5
It is not just pastors and teachers that need to be humble, self-aware, and teachable, as I wrote in the previous post. When Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:20, “Do not treat prophecies with contempt,” he is pointing out a very common human tendency. Prophecies in the Bible are only rarely predictions of the future.Continue reading “We need Mary Poppins prophets in our lives – 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22, Part 5”
How to have radical love for your church leaders – 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13, Part 3
Editor’s Note: This week we welcome guest blogger, Emily Marks. Emily is an adult & community educator. She and her husband Sean live in Lancaster, PA, with their dog Corvus. Emily grew up as a pastor’s kid, and therefore she brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to this week’s passage. As youContinue reading “How to have radical love for your church leaders – 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13, Part 3”
Three actions that Christians should be known for – 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11, Part 3
What do the choices of your life say about what you believe? Observe your word choices. Observe your tone of voice, your body language, your spending habits, your food intake, your time alone, your media habits, your clothing. We make loads and loads of choices every day. Those choices are writing your biography. And notContinue reading “Three actions that Christians should be known for – 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11, Part 3”
What a church community should be doing – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 5:11, 14, 27, Part 5
Editor’s Note: I once again welcome Molly Stouffer as guest blogger. Molly is from Hagerstown, MD, studying Pastoral Ministries at Lancaster Bible College. What does your church community do? Are they doing what they should be doing? In this week’s final post on 1st Thessalonians 4:9-10; 5:11, 14, 27, Paul emphasizes something important any churchContinue reading “What a church community should be doing – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 5:11, 14, 27, Part 5”
Brotherly love is patient – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 5:11, 14, 27, Part 4
Editor’s Note: I once again welcome Molly Stouffer as guest blogger. Molly is from Hagerstown, MD, studying Pastoral Ministries at Lancaster Bible College. When you’re watching TV and a commercial comes on, do you change the channel or wait for the show to come back on? When you’re watching a YouTube video and there isContinue reading “Brotherly love is patient – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 5:11, 14, 27, Part 4”
Engaging Scripture 