The Church belongs to Jesus, and with great determination, he is working to restore it as one unified body under one head—himself. However, in its current state, the Church is divided and, consequently, weak. Clearly, this is not what God intended. In this teaching, “A Lovely Church,” we will explore what the Body of Christ so desperately needs: the love …
The New Covenant has a New Commandment
God’s new covenant with Israel, and subsequently with all nations, transcends the concept of a mere contract. Unlike a contract that can be negotiated, amended, or even broken, a covenant is something much deeper and more profound. It represents a fusion, a sacred joining of lives in love, where both parties invest themselves entirely and unconditionally into the relationship. This …
Maturing Through Love
As I mature into senior citizen status, I’m acutely aware of this one reality, “My own spirituality grows or wanes in direct proportion to my recognition and acceptance of God’s love for me”. My mind consistently seeks approval from all the wrong sources; the respect of my peers or other material world evidence that “I’m okay”. Yet my heart yearns …
The Reckless Love Of God
God created humans to be His cherished companions on earth, but their free will often leads them to act cruelly and unlovingly towards Him. Throughout scripture, one of the prominent themes is God’s unwavering desire to be reunited with humanity. This is the driving force behind every major event recorded in the Bible. The ultimate manifestation of this persistent love …
Pentecost: A Spirit-Empowered Life
Something very unique happened fifty days after the Jewish Passover recorded in Acts 2. That’s when God chose to birth the church (ekklesia), the “Body of Christ,” the first human beings ever “born again of incorruptible seed” – which means it is permanent! What a celebration when Jesus’ mother and his disciples were among the “about 120,” followed that day …
How does the Bible guide us in loving others while disagreeing with their beliefs or lifestyles?
Matthew 5:44 – “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” As Christians, we are called to love our enemies, which certainly includes those who simply disagree with our beliefs and way of life. True love is …
How can Christians balance living in a secular world while staying true to their biblical convictions?
Christians undoubtedly reside in a secular world, but they also hold another, far greater citizenship—the heavenly realm. Philippians 3:20 – “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Just as an American living abroad remains an American, Christians, whose true citizenship is in heaven, are merely living “abroad” in this …
Hating What God Hates
Hating what God hates is not about being judgmental or self-righteous, but rather about aligning ourselves with His perfect and righteous nature. As humans, we are often tempted to make excuses for our actions and justify our sinful behaviors. However, when we truly understand and embrace God’s Word, we realize that sin is not just a list of rules to …
Wholehearted Love
God doesn’t want much – He just wants all of you. It’s true. God wants your heart. Your whole heart. This isn’t selfishness on God’s part, since He is love. God wants our devotion, our commitment, our faithful loyalty, because God knows that when we enthrone him in our hearts, we are raised out of our mere human existence into …
True Love Must Communicate
Dear Thanksgiver, We are quickly approaching the holiday season where families will gather together to spend time with loved ones. This is a special time of year that gives each of us an opportunity to be with and think about the people we love. On that note, think about the person you love the most. To what degree has heartfelt communication …