Fear in the calm

In troubled times, it's easy to forget the absolute power of God. One reminder can be found in Mark 4.  After Jesus calmed the storm, the people became frightened of him, because he was even more powerful than the storm they just survived. Have you come afraid of reaching out to God, because of His power? Can you think of a time you were in awe of God's power?

The Gospel and the "Other"

The Apostle Peter was reluctant to believe that God had the same regard for believers who differed in race or ethnicity. (Acts 10) God provided a unique vision to Peter and then demonstrated how loved the "others" are. As Christians, we are called to understand this and embrace and support those who do not look like us. How are you carrying the good news to those who seem "other?"

Pslam 42

 Even Jesus felt the loneliness of God's distance, as demonstrated by his words on the cross (Matt 27:46).  When we feel like God has abandoned us, Psalm 42 gives us words to express our pain. How have you felt abandoned by God, and have you been able to pray something as honest as Psalm 42 in those times? While we don't know why God is sometimes distant, we do know that we can trust He will return.

Memorial Day 2020

This year we recognize the sacrifice our front-line medical and other essential workers have made. By stepping into situations that could compromise their health, or result in death, these heroes join the ranks of police, fire-fighters, military, and all the others who willing put themselves in harm's way for us. John 15:13. How can you best honor our living heroes, before they paid the ultimate price? 

Who was the first to hear that God's Son was born?

The news that God had sent HIS Son, Jesus Christ, into the world was first given to 

the most socially unacceptable men of the day. Shepherds were financially poor and

socially excluded. They would not have been welcome in the worship services or Temple.

But God saw their worth, and gave the wonderful news to these "lest of these" first.

How do we treat those on the fringe our polite social circles?
(originally posted 12/25/16)

Jump if you can

Christians often refer to "having faith in Jesus," or "salvation is by faith alone," but what does that really mean? Biblical faith includes not just knowing the story of Jesus, or even believing the stories to be true. Biblical faith goes one step further and actually trusts Christ and His sacrifice to be our righteousness, instead of trusting our good works as the key to God's heart. Rom 4.
NOTE: For a better summary of the 3 Components of Faith - see "3 Components of Faith – C.H. Spurgeon" on Hills Bible Church website.

in the muck

The Bible condemns hypocrisy in famous passages like Rom 2:1-3, yet modern Christians seem to be known for committing this sin. Maybe the truth is, that we all stumble over seeing fault in others, without recognizing it in ourselves. Can you think of a time you learned that you weren't right, but had trouble believing it?

When considering our trials and times of suffering it might be easy to dismiss Jesus' sufferings as something entirely different than what we are experiencing. The good news is that Jesus does understand exactly what you are feeling and relates to your experience as if it were his own (see Hebrews 4:15-16).

Holey ground

Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us to pray to avoid temptation and evil (Matt 6:9-15). As Christians, we sometimes believe that we are not capable of committing "certain sins." However, the Bible makes it clear that any one of us could fall into any sin. What sin do you find so contemptible that you believe you couldn't commit it? Are you judging others for that sin?

Tearing up the debt

As Christians, we have been forgiven all of our sin-debt to God, because of the payment made by our Lord, Jesus Christ. This great gift gives us the model to follow when we consider how we should deal with those who owe a debt to us. Are we able to forgive the way Jesus forgave us? Matt 6:9-16

Why do I have money?

Ephesians 4:28 encourages Christians to work honestly for their paychecks. Surprising, the reason provided is so that we can give to those in need. This simple lesson helps free Christians from materialism and from defining ourselves by our worldly wealth. Do you believe that your wealth is actually God's great provision given to you to pass on to others?

A Lonely Little Place to Live

Luke  14:12-15 - Christ encourages his followers to invest themselves in the Kingdom of God by caring for those who cannot repay.  Whose Kingdom Are You Building? Do you give your time, talent and treasure to help others, or do you try to build you own, sad and small little kingdom?

Enjoy your circle status

Many of us are tempted to find meaning in the way others feel about us. We long to be a part of the "in" group. The great irony is that as Christians, we are already part of Christ's inner circle. When you consider your place next to the perfect Son of God, you no longer need to impress others and can be free to humbly serve them, while knowing that you are loved by the most important person in history.

What Jesus swapped

How much did Jesus love you? It's hard to imagine, but he loved us so much that he took our sin and gave us his righteousness - his perfect right-standing before God. In taking our sin, he also took the shame and the punishment that came with it. So, where does that leave you now? Have you realized the great sacrifice Christ Jesus made on your behalf? Have you accepted the guilt-free nature he offers you?

Speaking Truth to Powerful Men

When the people we trust to protect us use their power to hide their own corruption, the courageous will speak the truth. Nathan the prophet demonstrated unusual courage when confronting David, the beloved king of Israel. David had broken the law and tried to cover it up, but he couldn't hide his sins from God, or from God's prophet. What secret sins do we try to cover-up?

Striving with our creator

When we find ourselves in situations we think we are ill-fitted to handle, we naturally question God. In a uniquely absurd metaphor, God asks if a pot would question it's potter. The obvious answer is "no" the potter knew what he was doing - in the same way that God knew what He was doing when he used circumstances and events to crafted us into a work of art He loves and cherishes.

Seeing the destruction around us

Psalm 91:8 assures us we will only see destruction and not experience it. As Christians, we are well-versed with physical suffering, such as the apostle Paul experienced. We may experience suffering in this world, but we can be assured that God has not forsaken us, and that His Son, Jesus Christ, has also experienced this king of pain. Our assurance is not for relief, but for strength to endure.

Who is Living on the Tightrope?

Rom 8:2 proclaim that we are free from the constraints of the flesh. Sometimes Christianity is

seen as too restrictive. The truth is that we can find great freedom in Christ by curbing 

our natural inclination to seek confirmation from others. 

Christ's Humiliation

Philippians 2:6-8 describes some of the ways Christ humiliated himself in order

to free us from the shame of our sins. Should we not drop our self-shaming and 

the shame we place on others in order to embrace the gift of God's Son?

Are My Rights Blocking the Gospel?

The Apostle Paul willingly suspended his rights ( Rom 14) when they were preventing others

from receiving the gospel. What rights are we willing to suspend to promote the gospel?