Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” These are the first words of the Holy Bible. More than a statement, I believe this is God’s great take-it-or-leave-it verse, setting up the rest of Scripture. The reason Genesis 1:1 sets up the rest of Scripture is that God wants us to … Continue reading The Creation
Ephesians
The Importance of the Cross
About once a quarter, our local fairgrounds hosts a "Vendors and Yard Sale Day," where both professionals and locals rent spaces to sell their items. Our church will often acquire space at these events. We don’t sell a thing; we give things away. In December, we gave away ten different styles of tree ornaments that … Continue reading The Importance of the Cross
Let God Fight
We all go through our struggles. Sometimes the struggles are minor, sometimes they are major battles. As Christians, one of our most significant problems is that we tend to try to fight our battles ourselves. Think of the battles that the Hebrews fought in the Old Testament. At Jericho, God told them to walk around … Continue reading Let God Fight
Spiritual Basic Training
At my graduation ceremony from basic training for the US Army, the speaker came out, stood behind the podium, took a giant deep breath, and said, "Finally, you made it!" The latter half of the last chapter of Ephesians (chapter six) lists the spiritual weapons Christians need to fight the good fight and live a … Continue reading Spiritual Basic Training
The Most Important Event In History
We will celebrate history's most important event in a little over a month. Technically, it is two separate events, but they happened the same weekend. Without the first, you cannot have the second; without the second, the first is meaningless. Event number one is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The second is His resurrection. Hundreds … Continue reading The Most Important Event In History
Everyone Has A Relationship With God
We interact with people all the time. Some are acquaintances, others are good friends, some are relatives, and others are work colleagues. There are people we love, like, dislike, and maybe even hate. Some people may fall into more than one category; that cousin you do not know well and only see at weddings and … Continue reading Everyone Has A Relationship With God
Signs, Signs, And More Signs
Matthew 24:3-8 "And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For … Continue reading Signs, Signs, And More Signs
God’s Armor
In Ephesians 6:10-19 the Apostle Paul gives Christians a list of battle armor for the spiritual war we face. There is a tendency among Christians to departmentalize problems into the groups of, physical and spiritual. They miss a significant point Paul stresses: everything is spiritual. Ephesians 6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, … Continue reading God’s Armor
Visual Signs A Person Loves God
Can people see that you are a Christian? If you have a cross necklace and a T-shirt that reads, "Jesus loves you!" you might think you are doing pretty well in letting people know you are a Christian. You may have had a cross tattooed onto your forearm. Surely, a permanent mark on your skin … Continue reading Visual Signs A Person Loves God
Suit Up
Many Christians seem spiritually wounded. They want to do better in their Christian life, but for one reason or another, they believe they cannot. A wounded soldier on the battlefield, unable to fight back or reach their weapon, would be a physical example of this spiritual truth. Just as in physical warfare, in spiritual warfare, … Continue reading Suit Up
Preacher's Point 