Search results

Reminders – If you love me, keep my commandments. There is some confusion in the body of Christ concerning the keeping of the law of commandments. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15 As Christians, we certainly love the Lord, don’t we? And if so, He says we should...

Reminders – How to break the third commandment. As a child I was made to memorize the 10 commandments and was given religious instruction on how to perform those commands. At that early age I wasn’t too worried about most of them, as killing and coveting weren’t very high on my want-to-do list...

Reminders – What kind of body will we have? There is little information about the form and composition of the body of Jesus after He was raised from the dead. There is, however, abundant evidence that He did indeed rise from the dead. After His resurrection, He was seen alive by all the...

Reminders – Are you risen from the dead? What would an Easter/Resurrection Sunday message be without an emphasis on the resurrection? Jesus’ death on the cross as the Savior came at a great cost, paying for the sins of the world. But His resurrection as Lord showcased God’s great power and...

Reminders – Love means giving yourself to others. Webster’s dictionary defines a verb as ‘a part of speech that expresses action.’ Our modern use of the word ‘love’ has devolved from a verb of self-less action, into one of selfish desire. What do I mean? Today, the word love is almost always...

Reminders - Contextual Interpretation The Scriptures are the basis and standard by which we can know about and then personally relate to God. Being familiar with them is very good, but it is not enough. Sometimes, a little knowledge can be dangerous, especially when combined with religious...

Reminders – Complete in Him None can deny the importance of the Holy Scriptures, the written Word of God. Also referred to as the oracles of God, they are the recorded utterances of the creator. Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit and wrote those words down for men to...

Reminders – What we received, have now, and will receive then. When someone becomes a Christian, a whole host of things happen in an instant. A change of mind and direction occurs (called repentance.) The payment for sins at the cross takes on new significance, as we understand that now our...

Reminders – Yes, He can even use me. I received diverse reactions and responses to last week’s message (Reminders #56 - Foreigners in our Neighborhoods.) Those who reacted negatively, mostly took offense with my lack of addressing the illegal immigration issue, from a right vs. wrong...

Reminders – Foreigners in our Neighborhoods What would you do and how would you act towards a notorious gang member who moved in next door to you? Would you beef up your home security? Would you avoid all eye contact as he came and went, or would you take him a plate of cookies? If the cookie...

Reminders – Joy The Greek root word for Joy is “Charis,” from which we get the English translation “Charisma.” Also translated as “Gift,” “Thanks,” and “Grace,” these words sum up the substance of joy in our hearts. The following are distinctive aspects of joy. First, there is both a present...

Reminders – Bearing His Image On the sixth day of creation, God created Adam and Eve in His own image. Their body, soul, and spirit, lived in perfect harmony with God, always submitting to His perfect will. Genesis 1:24-31 When they decided to obey Satan instead of God, their human spirit died...

Reminders – The Flesh We see the word “flesh” throughout the New Testament, and although it comes from only one Greek word, SARX, its meanings are quite different depending on the context of its usage. We need to seek the Holy Spirit’s intent to understand scripture correctly. If we do not...

Reminders – That “something in your somewhere” A friend, and brother in the Lord often uses the phrase, “To experience that something in your somewhere,” as a description of the somewhat mysterious and subtle prompting of God. The phrase rings a bell with me, as I experience it often, but what...

Reminders – As in the days of Noah There is a storm brewing on the horizon, and it has been forecast to be the worst storm ever recorded. Matthew 24:21 Some deny that it is coming, ignoring the signs, and saying the predictors are just a bunch of religious conspiracy nuts. Others acknowledge...

Reminders – The World Needs a Doctor I have talked to several people lately that have no sense of needing a savior. They seem quite content in their self-justified state of spiritual satisfaction. Jesus said, “They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call...

Reminders - New Year Resolutions New beginnings and fresh starts often inspire us to make resolutions to quit bad habits and practices that we have allowed to creep into our lives. To be successful in overcoming these undesirable behaviors, we must identify whether the habit or practice is a...

Reminders – The Light of the World We are celebrating the coming of the “Light of the World,” Jesus. But what does that term “Light of the World” mean? Here are three main uses of the word “light” in the New Testament and how they apply to Jesus. 1) A physical shining of light visible to the...

Reminders - The Fullness of Time Every year at this time, we celebrate because of these familiar words, “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman…” Galatians 4:4 The everlasting Word of God, became the Son of God in human flesh, John 1:14 and we call...

Reminders - Give the most valuable gift Why do we get pre-occupied every year with the trappings of a commercialized and materialistic Christmas? At least I do, to some extent. We always say that the most important thing about Christmas is Jesus, then go about doing the exact opposite of what...