Leader || Preacher || Teacher
The book of Ephesians contains two major themes: power and identity. Which leads to two other major themes: worship and prayer. In fact, a good portion of the letter is worship and prayer. Some believe the author, Paul prays through the first three chapters. What would give Paul a heart for worship and prayer?
Continue reading “Live a Life of Love: See How Much God Loves You”
The birth of Jesus drew some unexpected guests from a faraway land, Magi or magicians, from the East. These wise men are not Jewish in ethnicity, they were Gentiles. In Matthew’s rendition of Jesus’ birth narrative, he wants you to know that Jesus is for everyone. And everyone can learn from the Magi how to honor and worship Jesus, the better gift.
I remember the first time a purchased a motorcycle. I saw an ad in the local paper and I decided to go take a look at a v-twin roadster from a private seller. I ended up buying the bike. Problem is I didn’t know how to ride it. The seller drove it home for me that day. Within a week I wrecked it.
There is a reason why there is not a Bigger Barns church of Christ (if you know of one, let me know). With Jesus as the head of the church and we as the bride. He gave himself up for her (us) to present her (us) radiant and spotless. As Jesus’ bride, we are to be as generous as Jesus. We share not only the gospel but our very lives. Sharing our lives means sharing our possessions. We don’t store up treasures for ourselves, we store up treasures for God.
Continue reading “The Better Gift: Bigger Barns church of Christ”
In my living room there is a piece of scripture art that a friend made for me. It reads, “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Corinthians 5:15). It’s my life verse. It reminds me that I no longer live for myself but for Jesus who died and defeated death for all.
Continue reading “The Better Gift: Paul’s Life Verse”
For most of the Thanksgivings in my life, those in which I was old enough to really give thanks, it was easy to follow the words of the hymn, “Count your many blessings.” That’s not the case this year. It’s not that there haven’t been blessings I should count; nor is it that I would not be surprised at “what the Lord hath done.”
Continue reading “A Habakkuk Thanksgiving—Tim Kelley”
My heart is being drawn to worship. I believe that worship is not confined to a specific time and place like a worship service. Worship is offering up our bodies as living sacrifices to a God who is described as a consuming and refining fire. Yet, I also believe that the gathered people of God demonstrate through both praises and lamentations their love for God and their need for God. The gathered church comes together to meet with God and be changed. I call this being Worship Full.
Continue reading “Worship Full: A Vision for Gathered Worship”
The believers in Hebrews like Jesus were being persecuted at the hands of sinners but unlike Jesus, they had not given up their lives. You may be suffering under sin and have become tired and weary. Hebrews chapter 12 gives us reasons to hold on to faith when we are enduring hardships. Discover why you can have an unshakable faith and not lose heart.
Continue reading “Greater Faith: Unshakable”
The book of Hebrews is a deeply theological book. When we struggle to connect with some of its message we are relieved when we get to chapter 11. Chapter 11 puts into practice what the book prioritizes, faith in Jesus. Chapter 11 allows us to witness how faith allows believers to see what is unseen. We all together with these “heroes” can see what God has promised through faith and become perfected as one.
Continue reading “Greater Faith: Live by Faith, Not by Sight”
I am going to the beach.
Look! I brought a friend.
I like to chase him.
But, sometimes he chases me.
…
Oh no! Here comes a big cloud.
Now my friend is gone.
I am all alone.
I know what to do!
I chase the cloud away.
Now my friend is back again.
We are a great team.
(An excerpt from I Love My Shadow, a children’s book by Hans Wilhelm).