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But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been made known…(Romans 3:21). These words, from the pen of the Apostle Paul, begin a short statement that could be the most important passage in the book of Romans. If Romans is the most important epistle in the New Testament, then these few verses are… Continue reading We all need a little justification

For all have sinned…(Romans 3:23). I remember many years ago, as a very new Christian, reading Romans 3:23. The text says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” In the twisted way my mind worked back then (not that it is any better these days) I was immediately reminded of… Continue reading We’re all bozos on this bus

I’m not ashamed of the gospel…(Romans 1:16). Around 56 to Roman 57 AD the Apostle Paul was in Corinth, a wild city in the ancient province of Achaia, which is part of modern-day Greece. Paul had come to Corinth earlier to tell people about some good news. Today’s text uses the word “gospel”, which means… Continue reading How about some good news?

For unto us a child is born…(Isaiah 9:6). One of my favorite parts of the Christmas season is the chance we get to sing all those great classic Christmas hymns at church. One of my favorite songs of the season is the great hymn “What Child is This?” How we answer that question will determine… Continue reading What child is this?

I consider them rubbish, that I might gain Christ…(Philippians 3:8). Have you ever wondered if Jesus ever used four letter words (other than “love”)? How about Paul? The question is open to debate depending on how you translate a couple of words that show up in the New Testament. Jesus warned against using the word… Continue reading Paul assesses his former success

Have the mind of Christ in you…(Phil. 2:5). Have you ever noticed how much of the way God has made the world work seems counter-intuitive to all we have been taught? Do you want financial security? The world says hoard. God says give. Do you want to be great? The world says claw your way… Continue reading Humility and Joy

For it is God who is at work in you… (Phil. 2:13). Everybody needs a good spiritual workout. Even the Bible says that physical training is of some value, but training in the spiritual life is of value not only in this life, but also in the age to come, (I Tim. 4:6). Today’s text… Continue reading God at work

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…(Phil. 1:6). What does everyone have, that many are unaware of, yet influences everything we do? Lets call it a “worldview”. The German word is weltanschauung. It is defined as “a comprehensive conception or image of the universe and of humanity’s relation… Continue reading Tweaking your Weltanschauung

For me, to live is Christ, (Phil. 1:21). Consider this another part of my “How to increase your happiness” thoughts. I have started teaching through Paul’s letter to the Philippians at our church. This week I am going to focus on this little verse in chapter one that summarizes Paul’s philosophy of life. Another way… Continue reading The Blank and the Box

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God”…(Ps. 14:1). What would a world without faith in God look like? It could look a lot like the world of “The Giver”. The movie, based on the award-winning book by Lois Lowry, and championed for some fifteen years by Jeff Bridges (he originally optioned the… Continue reading Why you should see “The Giver”