Archive / January, 2013

Not A Hope In Hell

Backwards in Eternity: The poor become rich and the rich become poor, the beggar becomes prosperous and the prosperous a beggar. Such is the case with the “Rich man and Lazarus”. Because our world is so busted up with sin, much of what we see and even come accustom to is completely backwards to how God’s kingdom operates. God’s kingdom is free from sin and is no respecter of persons. I’m going to be really candid, I struggle with being a respecter of persons, it’s my weakness. I don’t think that it’s because I love others more but rather that I have a sinful tendency to flock towards people that I think can improve my situation. I would likely have passed the guy sitting at the gate with dogs licking his wounds just to catch up and talk to the super rich guy. Why? Because he can likely do something for me and my selfishness. Pride and greed are ugly sins that […]

Today is the Day of Salvation

(*Note: Belated Post ) Opening Thoughts: The other day myself and family were at a baptism at the beach with the church we are part of. I love baptisms they are such an amazing testament of God’s saving power. It’s actually quite an amazing thing that as a church we are able to gather and talk about the Glory of Christ in public. Just today I read a post of 15 church leaders in China that were arrested while worshiping together. “On June 9 more than 30 house church leaders were arrested while gathering in a house church in Langzhong city, Sichuan province. Thirteen leaders were given 15 days of administrative detention, and five of the leaders were placed under criminal detention. The other leaders were released…..” (see the rest of the story) I think sometimes it’s hard for us who have so much freedom to actually imagine what that looks like. Say you are at your “community group” pouring out your […]

Elect Exiles – 1 Peter 1:1

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,” 1 Peter 1:1 The apostle Peter is about to address a group of diverse Christians; followers of Christ from different territories, who spoke different languages, were integrated into different cultures, and were made up of both Gentiles and some Jewish converts. The one thing they had in common? Chosen by God to live by faith and to not fit in. There are three valuable gems that I want to examine in this one single verse that opens the door to book of 1 Peter: this letter is applicable to all Christians, followers of Jesus are God’s chosen people, we are currently separated from and awaiting our true home in heaven. Concerning All Christians I have heard people say, both Christians and Non-, that the Bible isn’t entirely relevant […]

DEATH TO “YOLO” – You Only Live Once

“This new Generation of teens is referred to as “YOLO” (You Only Live Once). The enemy of our souls would love for us to believe that we would only live once. The truth is that for those who are enslaved to sin and without freedom from Christ there is no life at all. Temporary relief from the pain of this world is all they can hope to have. Have you ever heard someone say “I feel like my life is a roller-coaster? That’s what you call living for the moment, and when the moment provides temporary relief and distraction from the reality of sin, bondage and life’s pain, they feel good. Inevitably that feeling does not last long and they usually find themselves in the pitts either looking for the next feel good thrill to fill up the thirst tank or they wish they could end it all. Our culture […]