Posts Tagged ‘church’

I Have Issues

Apr
7

Do you have any struggles?  It seems like just about everybody does.  Some struggles we choose—like getting in shape or learning a new language.  Some we don’t have any choice in—like dealing with cancer or the loss of a loved one.

Jesus struggled against suffering and death by choice.  He entered into a broken and hurting world in order to bring healing and new life to us.  Matthew tells us a story of how Jesus came close to people in their brokenness to demonstrate the kind of transformation God wants to bring to the lives of all people.

The Tax Man

Mar
31

The Tax Man

What comes to mind when you hear the word “church”?

Do you picture a happy place or a somber gathering?  Do you see steeples and stained glass or modern architecture?  Maybe you think of classic hymns sung by a choir or you hear eclectic guitars and drums.  Churches can look, sound, and feel very different whether you’re comparing them from around the world or even from different places in the same town.  We love our habits and traditions and personal style. Sometimes we even let them define who we are.

But what does Jesus see when he looks at the people who make up the church? The answer to that might be found in an encounter that Jesus had with a certain tax collector.

The Bible vs. America: Part 2

Dec
3

Matthew 22:32-40 I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living!” 33When the crowds heard this, they were amazed at his teaching.

34Now when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they assembled together. 35And one of them, an expert in religious law, asked him a question to test him: 36“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

The Bible vs. America: Part 1

Dec
2

Matthew 22:32-40 I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living!” 33When the crowds heard this, they were amazed at his teaching.

34Now when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they assembled together. 35And one of them, an expert in religious law, asked him a question to test him: 36“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

Palm Saturday?

Jun
30

When did Jesus die?  And what does that have to do with anything?

Well, if you know God, then you know he doesn’t do anything without a plan.  And the timing of Christ’s death and resurrection (and his prophesied entry into Jerusalem) were planned way ahead of time for the benefit of the entire world.

That includes you! You can benefit immensely from the plan that God unfolded on your behalf.  And all it takes from you is repentance and faith.

You CAN Handle the Truth!

Jan
12

Have you ever felt overwhelmed, out of control, pushed to the breaking point?  Have you ever wondered where God is at times like that?  Has anyone ever told you “God will never give you more than you can handle” when you felt like you had already lost control?  Do you think God gave you more than you could handle?

I would guess if you are reading this, that so far you have survived everything you’ve experienced.  So do you think God never gives you more than you can handle?

What about people who are martyred for their faith around the world.  Did God give them more than they could handle?

Listen to the message below and tell me what you think.

Jony & Amber Cruz – Christian Duty

Aug
4

Here is a missionary report and a message on love from two of my friends who help to run an orphanage in Mexico.  The message is a good challenge to all Christians on how the love of Christ is extreme, and how the proof of being one of Christ’s disciples is found in that kind of love.

The Blessings of a Good Church Family

May
8

There is nothing quite like a good church family.  I took my family to church tonight like we usually do.  We have a Wednesday night prayer meeting, where everybody shares the things that have been going on in their lives, and we pray for the people in our church and families and loved ones and our neighbors and coworkers and government leaders and whoever else God might lay on our hearts.  And pretty much every time, there is a group praying at church, somebody mentions me (and my family too).  It happens on Wednesday’s and Sundays and other days that we happen to get together.  And it just reminds me that I am so blessed to have a church family that cares about me and prays for me.  Of course it’s not about me, because they pray for everybody else in the church too.  They pray for people who might be sick or having family issues or looking for a job or any other need.  And they pray for people who are sharing their faith and reaching out to the world with the Gospel.  They give thanks to God for everything he does in our lives.  They show so much care for one another through their fellowship and their prayer and helping one another and taking care of each other.  And it’s just so good.

Of course that’s what church is all about.  It’s not about a preacher or a Sunday morning program or a youth ministry or a building or any of the things we so often define our churches by these days.  The Bible describes the church as a living body, made of many different parts.  And we come together through the direction and power of Jesus, and we support and encourage one another in our mission to make disciples.  We spur one another on to good works.  And we counsel and lend aid and take care of one an other.  That’s what biblical church is.

I’ve heard so many people say that you don’t have to go to church to be a Christian.  And technically that’s true.  Repenting of sin and choosing to trust and obey Jesus is a personal choice that only you can make for yourself.  But living as a Christian apart from the church is like a part of the body living apart from the body.  If you could get a hand or a foot or an eyeball or an ear to survive apart from the body, that would be an impressive medical feat.  But what would be the point of a hand or foot or eyeball or ear without the rest of the body?  We were meant to come together and work as one to make the world a better place.  So the people who think that church is just a thing you do once or twice a week, totally miss the point.  We aren’t meant to only GO to church.  We are meant to BE the church!  And any Christian who doesn’t know that and live that, is missing out on a lot.

Anyway, I was just feeling thankful because of my church family and felt like sharing.  Of course the real thanks goes to God.  He’s the one that has helped to transform the lives of people who are a living part of our church body.  He’s the one who helped every one of us become a part of him and be filled with his spirit to work and pray and live as a real church family.  And I am so grateful to God and to my brothers and sisters of the  church for the prayers and support and encouragement that they continue to give me and my family.  And I pray that you know that kind of love and connection too.

If you’re missing that–if you’re a Christian “orphan”–you definitely need to get connected to a godly church where you can experience this blessing.  And if you can’t find one, let me know…you can come be a part of my church family. 🙂

Don’t Be Such a Baby

Apr
7

What does it mean that Jesus died for you?  Why would somebody else dying a couple thousand years ago make any difference for your life–or your eternity?

Have a listen and find out.

Litmus Test

Mar
11

Here’s a good test of faith:

Listen to the podcast to hear the secret.