Mary of Nazareth has always been misunderstood. The people of Nazareth thought she was a tramp. One billion church-goers see her as a demigod. She was neither. Mary was a young woman of beautiful but simple faith (Luke 1:26-38).
When people hear the word “meditation,” they think of yoga. Yogic meditation is an attempt to escape reality. Biblical meditation is the embrace of the ultimate reality (Ps. 19:1-14).
In ancient Israel a farmer draped a bag of seed over his shoulder and walked through the field, scattering it on the ground. Naturally, the seed fell on different soil types. Jesus compared soil to the human heart (Luke 8:4-15).
We were dead in our sins. But God made us alive together with Christ, raised us up with him and seated us in the heavenly places (Eph. 2:4-10). Why did the Lord do this stupendous thing?
Human life is a shadow, a mere breath, a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes (Job 14:2; Ps. 39:5; Jas. 4:14). If this were my last day on earth, how would I live it?
Jesus has followers. The Bible calls them disciples. The prince of the power of the air has followers too (Eph. 2:1-3).
In false Christianity churches try to reconstitute the old covenant temple experience. Dressed in robes a priest stands at the altar. Incense burns. A choir sings. But Christ has introduced a new covenant (Heb. 13:9-16).
Newlyweds may be surprised to learn that marriage doesn’t erase all conflict, that relational friction is completely natural. New Christians may be surprised to learn that conflict in the church is also to be expected. Preachers, elders, and saints sometimes make each other sad (Heb. 13:7, 17, 24).
We have been called to preach, to Proclaim Gods word and to bring souls to Christ, that is our mission as Christians. We see three things that Ezekiel is told by God that are a source of Encouragement to us to help us with our mission.
A growing congregation showers young people with attention and encouragement. This is a good thing. But elderly people sometimes feel forgotten or even useless. Daniel’s experience forces us to see advanced age in a new light (Dan. 6:1-24).