“Here try this.” Have you been told this lately? Quite frankly we hear this more often than we care to in our product driven society. We are surrounded by billboards, e-mail ads, web-site banners, and commercials, all trying to convince us that we are in need of the product or service advertised. Now, I don’t have a problem with trying a new coffee bean or restaurant or even, when the situation dictates, a new pair of jeans, but marketing attempts don’t usually affect me much. I recently encountered another “Here try this!” that left me scratching my head and wondering about the unintended message it communicates in a consumer oriented culture.
While sitting in traffic, I began reading the bumper stickers on the rear of the vehicle before me. One sticker simply said, “Try Jesus.” Harmless enough right? Read the rest of this entry »
You’re not good enough. These words stir immediate emotion when we hear them. Imagine yourself at a practice hearing the coach yell these words. You experience a flood of emotion. First, you feel the deep discouragement of the young athlete and then driving disdain toward the coach for such a calloused approach. It’s hard to envision a time when these words would ever be appropriate. They’re certainly unacceptable coming from spouses, management, parents, or teachers. The only person we may excuse for this would be Simon Cowell. Could there be, however, a time when these words are gracious? Read the rest of this entry »
I was once asked, “What is faith?” In light of current discussions dealing with ‘communities of faith,’ ‘faith systems,’ and ‘faith-based organizations,’ there are those who are justifiably confused as to what faith really is. The answer to this question is significant – eternally significant.
Realizing that this term is culturally intended to have a very broad definition (one would expect this in an eclectic culture), we can’t escape its religious connotation and background. The very fact that Read the rest of this entry »
Who do you think I am? Jesus asked this question of His disciples in Matthew 16. After addressing the perspective of others, Peter declares, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’ (v16). Since that discussion, people of every generation have wrestled with this eternally significant question. Critics have worked to undermine the message of Christ. Proponents have worked to proclaim it. In the midst of these voices, however, it’s important to ask the question, Read the rest of this entry »
Q. What makes a person a Christian?
A. God’s grace in Jesus Christ is what makes a person a Christian. The hymn Rock of Ages reminds us of this fact as it states, “Could my tears forever flow, Could my zeal no langour know, These for sin could not atone – Thou must save, and Thou alone: In my hand no price I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling.” This verse tells us that our regrets, our sorrow, our efforts, our undying zeal would never achieve what is necessary to be saved. Our sin and rebellion has earned us eternal punishment. Read the rest of this entry »
God created YOU and holds you accountable to His law.
“For by Him (Jesus) all things were created, . . . all things have been created through Him and for Him.” Colossians 1:16
“He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness . . .” Acts 17:31
Our sin creates a PROBLEM.
“There is none righteous, not even one; . . . There is none who seeks for God.”
Romans 3:10,11
“. . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God . . .” Romans 3:23 Read the rest of this entry »