Traditions can hinder or further the gospel

Each of us have a set of traditions that bring us comfort. The religous leaders of
Jesus' day used their traditions to oppress the elderly (Matt 15:6) - but Paul passes

good teaching to his friends through traditions (2 Thess 2:15). What do your traditions

say about you? Do they promote the gospel, or hinder it?

Switching from what's working

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul asks why those who trusted God for

salvation were now attempting to please God with their works. Although

God has work for us, it is not our obedience to that work that pleases him,

it is our trusting Him and our relying on him to work through us.

Where's your power?

Galatians 3 reminds us that we are not only saved by grace, but

we also are given grace to live our lives. For our light to shine,

we must plug-in to God's grace in every situation.

The Most Terrifying Possibility

In Matt 25:1-13, Jesus presents a parable concerning some wise and foolish

wedding attendants. The implications of vs 10 "and the door was shut" present

us with the most terrifying possibility...that at some point our time to choose

will be closed forever. The Bible is filled with invitations to come, and

as long as we are alive, the door has not yet been shut.  

What fuels you? James 3

James 3:13-18 describes two kinds of wisdom. One is grounded in selfish behaviors

that seek to push our own agendas, the other is exemplified by the life

of Christ and includes helping others and seeking their best. Which 

of these do you find yourself employing?

Who Defines You???

What does it really mean to be a Christian? Does it mean you have 

certain political views or is it something bigger? What was

Christ really like? What did he spend time talking about?

Heb 12:2

The magnetic pull of the world system

1 Jn 2:15 condemns our love for the treasures we think this world offers. But looking

at how man's sinful nature runs this world, shows the futility of those flawed offerings.

The world of man seeks to redefine our concepts of success, love, identity, and even pleasure.

For those seeking such treasures, we should look to the cross.