In our current blog series, we are studying the Armor of God in Ephesians 6, verses 10-20. So far this week, I’ve introduced the next piece of the armor, the Shield of Faith, by describing the noun version of faith. Is that noun version of faith what Paul had in mind when he taught usContinue reading “Why true faith cannot simply be passive, but must be active – Shield of Faith, Part 3”
Tag Archives: salvation
Where peace is found – Boots of Peace, Part 4
How do we find peace? In the story of the birth of Jesus, the shepherds just outside the town of Bethlehem had the shock of their lives when angels showed up in the sky above them, telling them that the Messiah had been born that evening right there in the town of Bethlehem. What didContinue reading “Where peace is found – Boots of Peace, Part 4”
How armor, footwear, good news and peace go together – Boots of Peace, Part 3
What is peace? It can be defined as “a set of favorable circumstances involving tranquility.”[1] In our study of the Armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-20, Paul writes that we should have our feet with the readiness of the Gospel of Peace. How is Paul connecting all these concepts together? Armor, footwear, Gospel, and Peace.Continue reading “How armor, footwear, good news and peace go together – Boots of Peace, Part 3”
How turn away from false righteousness and live a life of true righteousness – Breastplate of Righteousness, Part 5
What kind of righteousness do you have? A true righteousness or the false outward looking good kind of righteousness? Instead of that outward law-keeping false righteousness, we need a change of heart. We need a change in how we view our connection to God. While performing religious rituals is not evil, we cannot depend onContinue reading “How turn away from false righteousness and live a life of true righteousness – Breastplate of Righteousness, Part 5”
The kind of faith that leads to true righteousness – Breastplate of Righteousness, Part 4
If God came to you and said, “I want you to uproot your family, leave your job, sell your house, move to a place where you know no one, have no support/friend network, and start over,” how would you feel? I think many of us, me included, would think, “Uh…that voice I heard is notContinue reading “The kind of faith that leads to true righteousness – Breastplate of Righteousness, Part 4”
The surprising way God can live in us – John 14-16, Part 2
We evangelical Christians are known for teaching children to “ask Jesus into their heart.” From an adult perspective, it’s an odd phrase. Yet there is something to it, as we will see in today’s post. After teaching his disciples that if they love him, they will obey him, which might feel like a tall task,Continue reading “The surprising way God can live in us – John 14-16, Part 2”
What it means that Jesus is the embodiment of the way, the truth and the life – John 14:1-14, Part 3
Jesus has just told his disciples, in so many words, “If you don’t feel like you are at home with God, or that God is at home with you, and you don’t feel that closeness with God, you know the way to get there.” Immediately Thomas responds in verse 5. “Thomas said to him, ‘Lord,Continue reading “What it means that Jesus is the embodiment of the way, the truth and the life – John 14:1-14, Part 3”
Do you have to die to experience eternal life? – John 14:1-14, Preview
Do you have to die to experience eternal life? You might think, “Yes, of course…isn’t that the definition of eternal life: ‘Life after death’?” Maybe not. Think about it this way: Does Jesus really just want us all to die so we can experience eternal life? Is there another way to think about it? I believeContinue reading “Do you have to die to experience eternal life? – John 14:1-14, Preview”
Decoding Jesus’ disgusting “eat my flesh, drink my blood” teaching – John 6:52-71, Part 4
Jesus has just told a crowd of his followers that they need to eat his flesh and drink his blood. How did the crowd feel about this bizarre teaching? I think they felt disappointment, confusion, frustration, and maybe some disillusionment. Just the day before he had miraculously fed a crowd of 5000+ people, and theyContinue reading “Decoding Jesus’ disgusting “eat my flesh, drink my blood” teaching – John 6:52-71, Part 4″
Selfish Christian views about Jesus, worship and church – John 6:22-51, Part 3
Would you be surprised to learn that some people weren’t buying what Jesus was selling? I’m not talking about the religious leaders who often confronted him. I’m talking about the crowds of people who followed him. As we continue studying John 6, the people who just the day before wanted to make him king, nowContinue reading “Selfish Christian views about Jesus, worship and church – John 6:22-51, Part 3”
Engaging Scripture 