When I was in high school, I went on a Christian retreat, and they taught us the Bible says to beat your swords into plowshares. I immediately noted that the Bible also says they we should beat our plowshares into swords. Further, only Joel above commands us to make swords. All three seem to point to a place in time rather than general. I am not here to talk about plowshares actually. Insightful readers might see I was headed at …
Do not go beyond what is written is a mesmerizing phrase coming from I Corinthians 4:6. Paul is quoting something the Corinthians knew, but we do not. 6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. …
Our mouths show a lot is both a good thing and a bad thing. May we listen to ourselves. Lets pick apart Ephesians 4:29-32 a little bit. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling …
The Apostle Paul says (even complains) we are fools for Christ. 9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. 10 We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! 11 To this very hour we go …
Making Disciples is a command from Jesus after His resurrection. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” These words inspired me, so I memorized them …
God loves us and wants us to join the adventure he has. Be sure the adventure with God is the true adventure. We need to trust him at his Word. God has a great plan for our life. We need to grasp it with both hands. Some people have rare diseases. Other people will never leave their hometown. I gave my life to China. God calls us to different vocations. In each place, we meet people every day who have …
I have thoughts on killing the fattened calf for the bad boy today. First, we are all the bad boy even if I feel I am the older brother. However, killing the fattened calf for the bad boy is really something. Most peasant families I know just have one. Jesus further says in the passage: I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Jesus …
God loves us is both hard to understand and easy to understand. Lets unpack it. People make trash, but we see God’s creation does not make trash. God’s creation had no pollution problem. Why would God make trash when he is making people who he especially designs? If he makes people differently, he has his good purpose in it. For example, children born with abnormal genes are not bad kids. They are just as lovely as other children in their …
Seek the Lord while he may be found is a well known verse from the well known 55th chapter of Isaiah. Here is more context. 6 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. We …
I was struck by Isaiah 50:10-11 shown below today and started considering–Do we use our own fires? …Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God. 11 But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie …
