Sharing Life and Christ

I read Deuteronomy recently and God's call of obedience to Israel really struck me. Just because we are now under grace, I believe the command of God to be obedient remains and the Biblical truths from Deuteronomy should resonate with us today. One great thing about God's message to Israel is that it leaves no room for questions; it is crystal clear. Let's take a look at a few passages that speak about obedience and consider how God's message to Israel is still relevant to today's Church. You shall walk in the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess. Deuteronomy 5:33 And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are this day. And it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to do all this commandment before the Lord our God, as he has commanded u...

Well, I know that it has been quite awhile since I posted anything. It isn't due to any relaxing on my part, I assure you. In fact, it is mainly due to the opposite. I got rid of internet in my barracks room and haven't regretted the decision beyond the fact that it makes writing and checking a few websites more difficult. I've been able to become more focused on Christ and growing closer to Him. God has been faithful in blessing me even more abundantly by casting aside the weights that were hindering our relationship. I wanted to share a couple of things that God has been doing in my life lately and I pray that they may be some encouragement to you all. One thing that God has really been working to change is my view of sin. God hates sin yet loves sinners. When we come to realize the depth of the words "For God so loved the world..." we have to respond with a radical change of lifestyle. It is not enough to just read the Bible or go to church. We must h...

My friend Mike asked me last night why the Bible used the word “hope” so often. We were specifically looking at Colossians 1:27 which reads To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. As I’ve considered it for a good part of today, a question has continued to nag me. Why does my understanding of the word hope involve wishful thinking or crossing my fingers “hoping” that something will happen? Isn’t that how the word hope has come to be used in conversation? “I hope that it doesn’t rain today” or “I hope my friend doesn’t get mad at me for that.” I believe this is grounds for concern because the true definition of hope and especially how it is used in Scripture does not have the slightest hint of wishful thinking. The hope that God speaks of throughout Scripture is more than an expectation. It is a guarantee of what is to come! There is no doubt about it. When our hope is ...

Well, I think it goes without saying that just because I say a couple of thoughts doesn't mean that this will be a short writing. :) I have been digging into Ephesians a lot in the past few days and God has been showing me some amazing truths. I'm excited to share what God has put on my heart so I won't delay any longer. The first thing that really jumped out to me is Paul's words on POWER. In Chapter 1, Paul prays that we might know the immeasurable greatness of God's power. In context, this power is the very same power that God used to raise Christ from the dead and seated Him above all creation at the Father's right hand. In Chapter 3, Paul shares again how he prays for the Ephesians. Paul prays that God would strengthen His people with power through His Spirit (v. 16). In verse 20, Paul writes "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us..." This verse carries in...