Perfecting the Broken

Paul wrote to the Galatian congregations that if they encountered a person who had failed, whether intentionally or just through weakness, by implication of the word used to describe the error, the spiritual among them should restore the person, being humbled by their own weaknesses and iniquities: Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should […]

A Gossipless Life

I have talked with many people who think that gossiping is lying about people. That activity is better described as lying, though. Gossip’s meaning  may be understood through a couple of several proverbs that mention it. A gossip goes around revealing a secret, but the trustworthy keeps a confidence. (Proverbs 11:13 Holman Christian Standard Bible®©) A contrary man spreads conflict, […]

Proper Boasting

This is what the Lord says: The wise must not boast in his wisdom; the mighty must not boast in his might; the rich must not boast in his riches. But the one who boasts should boast in this, that he understands and knows Me— that I am the Lord, showing faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for […]

Having a Right Heart

“No household slave can be the slave of two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t be slaves to both God and money.” The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and scoffing at Him. And He told […]

Is Baptism Required?

Here are a few denominational descriptions of baptism: Baptist: It is not entirely necessary for salvation. By immersion only. Baptisms of other churches accepted if done by immersion. Infants are not baptized. Candidates must first believe. Roman: By pouring, sprinkling or immersion. Baptisms of other churches accepted when performed as Catholic Church prescribes. Necessary for salvation. Infants are baptized. Eastern: […]

Created Again

Being “born again” has been talked about quite a bit in the last few decades. Being “created again” – maybe that’s worth talking about a bit… Rest is built into the design Yahweh revealed to Israel when He gave them laws to make them a nation. Over 14% of their lives should be spent resting, according to Him: one day […]

Testing Your Faith

Paul brought up the idea of testing ourselves to be sure we are “in the faith.” John was very clear in his statement in what we call his first epistle: “We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.” (1 John 3:14,15 Holman Christian Standard […]

Go to Church

What is your interaction with other believers like in your congregation? When I worked on the front counter of the local post office, I frequently encountered cliche’ questions like, “How are you doing?” With rare exception, the questions were simply fulfillment of social responsibilities of being polite. We were instructed in our cultural education to greet each other with a […]

Being More Awesome

He went to His hometown and began to teach them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “How did this wisdom and these miracles come to Him? Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother called Mary, and His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, aren’t they all with us? So where does He […]

Healing Death’s Sting

The earth has been wounded with an injury to the death. It is floundering in the pain of being both poisoned and neglected. It groans for relief. It is not, however, looking to its Creator for redemption from death. It is looking to you and I. Not with hopes that we will become better stewards, or with hopes that our […]