Paul returned to the churches he had established in order to strengthen those churches and assist with the development and appointment of leaders. Paul left Titus on Crete to correct the things lacking and to establish leaders. We have a clear New Testament model. In the twentieth and twenty-first century, however, at times the work …
Monthly Archives: October 2012
It’s Sunday Again: A Word of Encouragement
Another Sunday, worship with another congregation within the spiritual family. I have been asked to teach and preach. No specific instructions, but I know what is needed–a word of encouragement! We will focus on missions–God blesses us with marvelous opportunities to make a difference in our world. We will remember God’s love and Christ’s sacrifice …
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When God says “go”
Some may remember playing the childhood game of “Stop and Go.” In the game, the leader gives an instruction to either stop or go while looking away from the players. Players try to disobey the stop instruction and move forward while the leader is not looking. Some players try to move rapidly, others inch forward …
Galatians 5-6: Is Anything Different?
Christians who have experienced the new birth and new creation in Christ Jesus must not hesitate to ask, “What is different?” The Christian life is not lived in legalism. Nor is the Christian life license. The Christian life is understood through the liberty of healthy, loving relationship. With a new creation (or re-creation) and all …
God is God, God is good
Life is difficult; not easy; not fair. In the challenges and turmoil of life, the Psalmist’s affirmation is comforting and secure. God is God, God is good. God’s plan for his people is our eternal glory in Christ. Such often includes suffering in the inequities of this life, but God himself restores and makes strong, …
A Superb Sunday!
How humbling to receive the blessing and prayer of God’s leaders as we prepare for another mission journey! The heartfelt hugs and expressions of love, support, and concern continued as we greeted brothers and sisters after worship and as class began. Visiting with the leaders of the Bella Vista church and having the opportunity to …
It’s Sunday Again: Praising, Praying, Preaching
Today will be a spectacular day in the Lord! First, the opportunity to worship and praise the Lord is an incredible thing when one considers the human frailty and the divine righteousness. That God accepts our worship is unbelievable. That God wants relationship with us is beyond imagination. To worship and praise the Lord is …
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An early fall weekend….
The first weekend of October. The calendar says fall began two weeks ago. Solely a technicality of the calendar. Yes, the days are of approximately equal length and the daylight hours are noticeably shortening. But the trees are still green–hardly a hint of even thinking about wearing any color but green. The grass is still …
I will not stop reminding you of these things….
The Second Letter of Peter must be read holistically. To strengthen the faith and hope of the believers, especially in view of the presence of false teachers and false claims concerning the return of the Lord, Peter develops a carefully structured logic. 1:1-4. In a brief introduction, the author reminds that the plan of God …
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The Struggle with Sin–Won?
Today I remind the reader that daily devotional thoughts are available on the website. These daily doses of Scripture which treat a chapter each day cover the entire New Testament in a year (5 days each week, 52 weeks per year, 260 chapters in the New Testament). Today’s devotional focuses on Romans 7: [a href=”../devotionals/06-rom7_life-in-the-spirit.htm”>Life …