Archives: Pastors' Corner

In the New Testament letter to the Galatians, Paul’s main theme is that we cannot earn our way into favor with God, neither in this life nor in heaven. Though there are many great things Paul writes in this letter, he sums his argument up in chapter 2, verse 11: 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” We are born sinners. We are not born righteous. We need the righteousness of God. Many people believe that this righteousness is given to us by good works or […]

Let me share some great advice on giving from 2 Corinthians chapter 9, verses 6-7: 6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. First, are you willing to sow bountifully? The specific application here relates to money. Are you willing to give abundantly…not so that you can receive more money, but so that you can reap blessings; primarily for the benefit of others. So many […]

At the conference I attended this week I heard a great message from Mandy Smith of University Christian Church in Cincinnati that I wanted to share something from. In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul is recounting some of his struggles and yet how God has been faithful. We read this starting in verse 7: 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—  […]

I don’t know any political ambassadors, but I have always thought the job would be pretty easy. You live in a nice embassy, represent the country at major events, have a lot of dinners, play a lot of golf. I suppose it might be much different than that but I’ve always thought it would be a nice job. Did you know that the follower of Jesus is called to be an ambassador…for Jesus? At the end of chapter 5 of 2 Corinthians, Paul writes this: 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we […]

The Beatles had a hit song titled, “All You Need Is Love”. I don’t suggest that you go to Beatles lyrics for your theology but they did have another hit song about a book of the Bible….”Hey Jude”. Anyway, in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 the word “love” is given great emphasis. The beginning paragraph of this chapter is this: Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though […]

If you are 50 years old or over you probably remember a comedy routine by Flip Wilson centered around the phrase “the devil made me do it”. There is probably a good reason that comedians are not theologians. For the follower of Jesus, the devil can NEVER make you do it. In my view, one of the greatest promises in the Bible is found in 1 Corinthians 10:13: 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the […]

Have you ever given a gift to someone who didn’t appreciate the gift, most often because he/she didn’t really understand the full potential or use of the gift? This is sort of like the modern day commercial where the guy is using his ipad as a hammer or a placemat. Sure, it will serve those functions but it has way more value than that. Or, perhaps it is like the child who gets a $100 toy but chooses to play with the box. Today’s reading takes me to the first six chapters of 1 Corinthians. Paul often begins his letters […]

  Paul talks a lot about the idea of peace in the book of Romans. There are two different “directions” to peace, vertically with God and horizontally with other people. In Romans Paul says that we can have peace with God through Jesus Christ. Paul also places a priority on peace with each other. In Romans 12:18 we read this: 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Is it possible to have peace with God and not peace with men? I don’t think so. In the gospels, Jesus speaks of a man […]

I am fairly amazed by superglue. I know the science behind glue but that doesn’t make it any easier for me to understand it. I am amazed at how quickly and how powerfully the bonds are formed. When I use superglue I often end up gluing something together that I don’t want and it is impossible to separate the two things I’ve mistakenly glued together.  When I was reading the eighth chapter of Romans I was reminded of superglue. The eighth chapter of Romans contains some amazing promises regarding what God has for His children. Perhaps none is more amazing […]

One of the most important passages in the Bible that discusses man and his sin is found in the first chapter of the letter to the Romans. I have copied a portion of it here: 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power […]