Do you believe in hell? The Bible talks about it, but biblical scholars disagree if those images are intended to describe a literal or figurative place. Some people say that hell is on earth. Some people say all kind of things are hellish. No matter what you believe about hell, it seems that there isContinue reading “What Christians are saved from? – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, Part 3”
Tag Archives: salvation
Does God choose people to be saved? – 2 Thessalonians 2:12-17, Part 2
Some Christians believe God chooses people. Some Christians believe people choose God. Which is it? As we learned in the previous post, God love us. Paul called the Christians in Thessalonica, “Brethren loved by the Lord.” Paul continues to prove that God loves them by talking about salvation. He says that God chose them asContinue reading “Does God choose people to be saved? – 2 Thessalonians 2:12-17, Part 2”
How to be counted as worthy of God’s Kingdom – 2 Thessalonians 1, Part 5
Will you be counted as worthy of the Kingdom of God? Paul writes in 2 Thessalonians 1 verse 5 that the Thessalonian Christians’ growing spiritual maturity in the midst of persecution is evidence that they will be counted as worthy of the Kingdom. That’s quite a statement. What if we are Christians who haven’t beenContinue reading “How to be counted as worthy of God’s Kingdom – 2 Thessalonians 1, Part 5”
With God, the end of your story has not been written – Ezekiel 20, Part 2
Editor’s Note: Thanks to guest blogger David Hundert for continuing the Ezekiel series this week. Have you ever felt like things are so bad, there’s no hope? The “story” is ending at the moment of failure, and there is no way things could possibly turn around. Life can seem like that. But with God, there’sContinue reading “With God, the end of your story has not been written – Ezekiel 20, Part 2”
Why we need a new heart and a new spirit, and how to get them – Ezekiel 18, Part 5
Editor’s Note: I’m thankful to guest blogger Brandon Hershey for this week’s study of Ezekiel 18! In God’s words to the Jews in Ezekiel 18 (which we started studying here), God does not want to see us suffer the consequences of our sin. Instead, he wants to see us repent and live. Unlike the exilesContinue reading “Why we need a new heart and a new spirit, and how to get them – Ezekiel 18, Part 5”
How atonement changes everything – Ezekiel 15 & 16, Part 3
A family had planned a trip to a Major League baseball game to cheer on their favorite team. The whole family, parents and kids, were very excited to put on their team jerseys, drive to the big city, eat ballpark food, and cheer with the crowd. The day before the game, though, a son inContinue reading “How atonement changes everything – Ezekiel 15 & 16, Part 3”
Is God trying to pry your eyes open? – Ezekiel 12, Part 2
In the previous post, we learned that God’s people had covered their ears and closed their eyes, so that they could not see or hear him. They were giving God the cold shoulder. How does God respond? God does not close his eyes and cover his ears. He continues to call out for the people,Continue reading “Is God trying to pry your eyes open? – Ezekiel 12, Part 2”
How to change a heart of stone into a heart of flesh (and help others do the same) – Ezekiel 11, Part 5
Editor’s Note: Thanks to David Hundert who is our guest blogger this week, continuing our series through Ezekiel. Think about your heart. Not your actual blood pumper…but your inner being. Would you say you have a heart of stone or a heart of flesh? Do you feel somewhat cold or dead inside? Is there hopeContinue reading “How to change a heart of stone into a heart of flesh (and help others do the same) – Ezekiel 11, Part 5”
The transforming power of confession – Ezekiel 11, Part 4
Editor’s Note: Thanks to David Hundert who is our guest blogger this week, continuing our series through Ezekiel. Take a look at the title of this post and think about the word, “confession.” What comes to mind? I envision a courtroom with a judge and jury, and a witness being grilled by a lawyer, whoseContinue reading “The transforming power of confession – Ezekiel 11, Part 4”
Is there hope for a world on fire? – Ezekiel 11, Preview
Wildfires have been ravaging sections of the western USA. It happens every years during the hot, dry months of summer, but 2021 is particularly bad. I heard a news report that the acreage destroyed to this point in 2021 is three times that of 2020, and we thought 2020 was bad. A few weeks ago,Continue reading “Is there hope for a world on fire? – Ezekiel 11, Preview”
Engaging Scripture 