It is as if God has turned the world upside down. Instead of being rewarded for obeying, we are able to obey because we have received our reward.
This is certainly a strange way to get people to do what you would like them to do. We usually don't pay someone the whole price of some work that they are going to do for us before the work is finished. We all have heard stories like that. It just goes against human behavior. Yet God does it for us.
Read MoreI suppose that is in part because change is not something any of us really want. But mostly the fear of the unknown can dominate our decision making process and allows us to convince ourselves to not act…
Paul did not accept those excuses.
Read MoreIt is not that the gospel is veiled, you are just wearing the dark glasses of desire. Those glasses, like sun-glasses, keep Jesus from shining into your lives.
Read MoreHe is reminding us here that it is the message that is important, not how someone looks or what they believe. Instead, we are called to give up our prejudices and open our lives to God.
Read MoreWe worship together and socialize together and within the community we grow in faith by sharing our faith journeys. It sometimes is not easy. Faith can be difficult work.
Read MoreThere was no guarantee that what Jesus offered was better than what they already had.
Read MoreAll you need is to speak a kind word to those feeling down or a helping hand to those in need. Simple extensions of God’s love to others.
Read MoreThis story teaches us a few things about our faith. First of all it reminds us that our faith is a constant learning about Jesus and God’s gifts. Like those early disciples we are not always correct in our beliefs. We do make mistakes and sometimes, even when we know what’s right, act in the wrong way.
Read MoreGod does not operate as the world does. While the world looks to see a person’s value as to how much money you can make for them, God looks at what gifts you need to be a member of God’s kingdom. The difference between being children and being slaves.
Read MoreMary and Joseph’s travel was not to visit relatives or do some sight-seeing. It was not for pleasure at all, their journey was a requirement. They traveled to Bethlehem to register so the Roman government could tax them. You see, the Romans dictated to them where they belonged and where they went. Which brings me to ask you. What journey are you on? Where are you going? There are many paths out there that you may take. Which ones have you chosen? How many of them took you the wrong direction?
Read MoreThis is the season that has great expectations. Just watch the children as they impatiently wait for Christmas day. It is not just children. It is you and I who have expectations and plans who have promised things that do not come to fruition. For that, God has a plan.
Read MoreLiving with Jesus does not magically remove your troubles – he gives you the strength and ability to continue in the midst of them.
Read MoreOur lives are not like Christmas presents wrapped in fancy paper with a ribbon around it and a bow attached. Our lives are messy and confusing. We hope that this Christmas will bring us the joy and happiness we had long ago at some Christmas when we were younger. And so, we allow others to dictate to us what this time is all about.
Read MoreWe, like everybody else, just don’t want to wait. Especially for the good things like God’s kingdom – the best there is. But maybe the wait is one of the gifts given to us.
Read More…sharing our gifts with others should be so natural that we don’t even think about what we’re doing. That is in contrast to those who are selfish, who are so focused upon their own desires. They won’t even recognize an opportunity to share their gifts when it comes along.
Read MoreIt is through Jesus’ work upon the cross that we are able to go into the world and invest our talents by doing God’s work of bringing peace, truth, and justice to the world. And our weapon of choice is love.
Read MoreWe are called to share the gifts God has given us with others.
Read MoreThere Jesus is telling us how to prepare for the time when he comes to take us by the hand and lead us to heaven. A close look at those qualifications and you will note that this entrance exam is not the same as the one you have been taught by the world.
Read MoreGod is constantly reforming the church in every age and place.
Read MoreYou have been given the ability to take your concerns, struggles, sadness, and joys to the Lord in prayer not for great reward. You already have that in Christ Jesus. You pray to experience God’s love and learn God’s plan for you.
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