The book of Galatians is one of Paul's earliest works. In it, he combatted the idea that faith plus works lead to salvation. He warned his audience about the danger of trying to obtain God's favor through the keeping of the law (and losing God's favor when disobeying the law). And, here, to bolster his argument, Paul seems to have quoted an early Christian confession. (3 Minutes/700 Words)
Read moreThe Struggle for Obedience, Part 4: Understand What He's Done (Mark 6:51-52)
Here we have a summary report about Jesus' healing ministry. This report is Mark's way of giving us a sense of the general atmosphere surrounding Jesus' life at that time and telling us that Jesus did more than he could record. (3 Minutes/600 Words)
Read moreJesus Famous Men Serve Their Homes for Christ
Every person on earth is shaped in some way by his or her father. While a male will contribute to a pregnancy, a father contributes to a legacy. Like the church, family is an entity created and designed by God, and fathers play a huge role in the development and leadership of the individual family. (20 Minutes/5000 Words)
Read moreGroaning for Resurrection (Romans 8:18-25)
Nearly 2,000 years ago, on a Sunday morning a couple of days removed from the Passover, in Israel, a group of women went to a tomb. Their beloved teacher, leader, and friend had been crucified. They had hoped he was the one to save the world from its chaos and brokenness. Instead, he had suffered and died at the hands of jealous religious leaders, the Roman government, and a bloodthirsty mob. Still, he was special to them, and because he'd been buried with haste, they determined to go to his grave to complete his burial process. (9 Minutes/2300 Words)
Read moreArchival Post: The Call of the Father
Buck the dog, in Jack London’s classic The Call Of The Wild, had grown up in lazy and sunny Northern California. He had lived what many would call the good life, roaming Judge Miller's spacious property in the Santa Clara Valley. But since Buck was a beast of an animal, a strong and fine specimen, one day he was stolen, sold, and shipped to Alaska. There, he worked as a sled dog delivering mail and, eventually, searching for gold. The tale is one of discovery, for Buck thought he was happy on those sun-kissed days in the valley, but it turned out life in the Yukon was a fuller and more vibrant life.
Read more20 Practices That Will Help You Serve Jesus for a Long Time
In this article, I want to consider 20 practices that will help you serve Jesus for a long time -- and I think I mean "a long time in one place." (9 Minutes/2000 Words)
Read moreHow God’s Love Is Perfected in You – Let Love Have Its Perfect Work in You (1 John 4:17–18)
In this section of 1 John, we are learning to let God's love have its perfect work in us (1 John 4:13-21). Last week we considered the importance of growing in an understanding of God's love (4:13-16). Today, John will explain to us how God's love is perfected in us (4:17-18). (5 Minutes/1400 Words)
Read moreA Healthy Heart Before God - A Basic Description of the Uncondemned Heart (1 John 3:23-24)
John has been helping us learn to deal with our hearts when they condemn us (3:19-20). He has shown us what happens when God sets our hearts free of condemnation (3:21-22). Now John will describe the uncondemned life and heart. (4 Minutes/1100 Words)
Read moreThe Curse - How the World Is (Genesis 3:14-19)
After Adam and Eve fall into sin, God started in on the serpent. He would then address the woman, and finally, the man. (8 Minutes/2000 Words)
Read moreYou Are God's Child -- We Will Become Like God's Son (1 John 3:2-6)
The thought is astounding. One day, God's children will **be like** Jesus **when He appears** (2). This incredible fact follows John's logic well. If believers are born into God's family, it makes sense that our full transformation would make us like God's Son. As God's kids, we will one day be like the Son of God. (9 Minutes/2200 Words)
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