Being committed in persecution is not easy. But with the Lord’s help, we can stand strong beyond what we think is possible. In 2004, I visited Russia, where I met Pastor Alexander outside of Moscow. Earlier in his life, he had been imprisoned for handing out Christian tracts. The Lord refined his faith through this …
Who were the Thessalonians? They were part of a church that was born in persecution. Thessalonica was located in what is now central Greece. It was a major sea port on the Aegean Sea and located on a main Roman road, the Egnatian Way. Thus, it was a major trade center in the area. While …
To let Christ fill your life means emptying yourself and replacing the void with the fruits of a relationship with Jesus. Maybe today you feel numb from life, and Jesus is calling you to let Him fill you. If you don’t know the Lord, He wants you to ask Him into your heart so He …
Paul warned the Colossian church that there should be no offense taken. Miriam-Webster defines offense as: “something that outrages the moral or physical senses, may be caused by a breach of a moral or social code.” [1] Why would Paul specifically mention offense? John Bever has written a book about offense called “The Bait of …
You are chosen for a purpose by God to fulfill all the plans He has for you. Growing up, I was smaller in stature than almost everyone in my class. When picking teams in gym class, I was usually one of the last chosen. Growing up, you may have had a similar experience, so being …
Putting on the new nature in Christ means we must take something off, which is our sinful nature. We are transformed into a new creation when we place our faith in Jesus as our Savior and are born again as children of God. Unfortunately, being born again does not mean we are perfect and no …
God gives warnings, and they are repeated throughout the Bible. He repeats these to prevent unnecessary hardships. Like a good parent, our Lord wants the best for us, which often takes His intervention. Sometimes we think of warnings in a negative light, but they are God’s mercy and grace in action. The Lord placed man …
As believers in Christ, we have dual citizenship. We live here on earth, but we are also citizens of heaven. Colossians 3: 1Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things …
Who were the Colossians? They were a church of Colosse, which was about one hundred miles to the east of Ephesus. Paul had not visited this area but had trained the man, Epaphras, who had founded the church. During his third missionary trip, Paul spent three years in Ephesus and taught others to help evangelize …
Where do we find true joy in this lifetime? The world’s values tell us that true joy is found in the latest computer, home, beverage, or automobile. If that is true, what happens when those items become old, obsolete, or used up? Mary, the mother of Jesus, knew true joy. Luke 1: 47 How my spirit …