Ephesians 2, Part 2 There was a big problem in the early church. It’s still a problem in the contemporary American church. Paul introduces the problem in Ephesians 1, verse 11: “Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done inContinue reading “The big problem early Christians faced”
Tag Archives: salvation
True followers of Jesus used to be dead
Ephesians 2, Part 1 True follower of Jesus, did you know you used to be dead? In Ephesians 2, verses 1–3, Paul writes: “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdomContinue reading “True followers of Jesus used to be dead”
Who and how God chooses
Ephesians 1:3–14, Part 3 Whether you are the kid at recess who gets chosen last for the kickball team, or whether you are the adult who doesn’t get chosen for a promotion, a job, a contest, it can be very difficult emotionally when we are not chosen. When I submitted book proposals, I experienced theContinue reading “Who and how God chooses”
The light that never goes out
Advent 2025, Week 3: Psalm 139, Part 5 This guest post is by Molly Stouffer, a ministry student at Regent University. Does anything feel like darkness in your life right now? Maybe it’s sin that you can’t seem to shake yourself from, or shame that you’ve carried for such a long time that you feelContinue reading “The light that never goes out”
The significance of the night being bright as day for God
Advent 2025, Week 3: Psalm 139, Part 4 This guest post is by Molly Stouffer, a ministry student at Regent University. In Psalm 139, verse 12, when David explains that the dark is not too dark for God, it’s because the night is bright as the day. But how? To understand this, think about theContinue reading “The significance of the night being bright as day for God”
Peace in the midst of dark times
Advent 2025, Week 2: Isaiah 9, Part 2 Matthew was there. He not only saw the light of Jesus’ peace change others, Matthew personally experienced what happened when Jesus light of peace enters the darkness of a person’s life. Matthew’s life was dark, without peace. He was a tax collector. Hated by his fellow JewsContinue reading “Peace in the midst of dark times”
What Jesus means by the concept of belief
Trust & Obey, Week 1: John 3 & John 14, Part 2 “How can an adult be born a second time?” So asked Nicodemus to Jesus, who had just said to Nicodemus, “You must be born again.” Good question, if you’re thinking very literally. My daughter-in-law just recently gave birth to my 8lb, 4oz, grandson,Continue reading “What Jesus means by the concept of belief”
Jubilee failure and success in the ministry of Jesus – Jubilee, Part 4
Can we apply God’s Jubilee heart to our lives? To try to answer that question, we need to go to the New Testament, and there we learn that Jesus himself talked about the year of Jubilee. In Luke 4:18–19, we read that Jesus, very early in his ministry returned to his hometown of Nazareth, whereContinue reading “Jubilee failure and success in the ministry of Jesus – Jubilee, Part 4”
What Paul means when he says Christians are not people of the night – 1 Thessalonians 5:6–8, Part 2
Nighttime is for drinking and sleeping. At least that is when those two activities frequently occur. Let me explain. Nighttime is for sleeping. Unless you’re like me and sometimes can’t sleep at night. Insomnia is no joke. When my brain starts racing, thinking about all kinds of thoughts, especially if I’m anxious about something, IContinue reading “What Paul means when he says Christians are not people of the night – 1 Thessalonians 5:6–8, Part 2”
Do we choose God or does he choose us? Both/And! – 1 Thessalonians 1:4–10, Part 3
After assuring the Christians in Thessalonica that they are loved by God (see previous post), Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 1:4, “I know God has chosen you.” With that word “chosen,” Paul brings up one of the most confounding theological problems that has caused Christians confusion and consternation for centuries. Do we choose God orContinue reading “Do we choose God or does he choose us? Both/And! – 1 Thessalonians 1:4–10, Part 3”
Engaging Scripture 