Serving Christ in México
The story of God’s people has a particular plot line that repeats itself over and over again. It starts with Abraham and continues on till the time after the exile. The pattern is this: things are going badly, the people cry out to God, and God breaks in on the story and acts in power and grace.
Continue reading “Rend the Heavens”
I’d rather not wait for the return of Jesus Christ. When Christ returns, he promises to make all things new – perfect and without defect. That means I’ll never have to fight against my own sin ever again. I’ll have a new, perfectly functioning body. It means there will be no more poverty, no more abuse, no more weapons of war, no more pollution, no more sin. I don’t want to wait for that.
Continue reading “Why Is Jesus Taking So Long?”
Sergio arrived at nine. I opened the door, greeted him, and then ran back inside to grab my bag and keys. Five minutes later we are bumping along the cobblestone streets with a van full of dried goods. Sergio sits in the passenger’s seat reviewing the list of names he has written down in his worn-out notebook. He doesn’t say much and I can the see the weight of worry in his eyes.
Continue reading “By Word and By Deed”
In his second letter, Peter spends considerable time refuting false teachings within the church. Peter is concerned for the health of the church and wants to see Christians growing in faith and godliness. False teachers are a threat because they distort the truth, which in turn leads to faulty thinking and ungodly behavior. One of the lies the false teachers were propagating was the thinking that Christ would not return as he had promised. They pointed out that Christ had said he was coming soon, and soon had already passed.
Continue reading “The Coming Flood”
The gospel story of which Pete is writing about is true – it’s based on historical facts, eyewitness accounts, and fulfilled prophecies. Peter wants his readers to be firmly planted in this truth and understand why it is true. This is so because he knows people will come into the church with lies and made-up stories. Their teachings will contradict the truth of the gospel and threaten to destroy the unity and witness of God’s people. With this in mind, Peter gives his readers a clear and urgent warning against these false teachings.
Continue reading “Destructive Untruth”
Peter’s passion for the gospel is evident as he begins his letter and explains the power and love we possess in Jesus Christ to live transformed lives. He uses strong, bold language (e.g. “make every effort” or “be all the more eager”) and emphasizes how he wants his readers to remember all that he is teaching them. But passion and sincerity do not equal the truth, and Peter knows that. Later in his letter he will speak about false teachers who are bold in their preaching and make grand promises, but who are empty and vile. They have passion, but for all the wrong reasons. So, before Peter continues, he gives reasons why his passionate words are also true. Consider what he says in verse 16:
Continue reading “Eyewitnesses of His Majesty”
I tremble a little I know the holy fire My faith is brittle Can it stand that hour?Continue reading “Pass Over”
We are by nature sinners. That’s why the apostle Paul writes to the church at Ephesus that we are “by nature children of wrath.” Our hearts are bent towards the desires of the flesh, not the will of God. Without any correction, our hearts will always default to sin – doing the opposite of what God has commanded.
Continue reading “Reminders”
I’ll be the first to admit that trusting in God in not an easy thing. It is easy to confess that we trust God, but a whole other thing to actually do it – to step out of the boat and attempt to walk on water. What makes that step easier is knowing that it is possible. Remembering how God was faithful in a previous moment in your life, makes it easier to take another step of faith into unknown waters. So, with the story you’ll find below, I am going to do exactly that – remind myself of how God has been faithful in the recent past. You all can listen in and I hope you are encouraged as much as I am.
Continue reading “Trust.”
The beginning of Peter’s second letter makes it clear that in God we lack nothing. Through Christ, we are given “everything we need for life and godliness.” Because of this reality we are called to mature and increase in faith and the fruit of the Spirit. As it is sometimes put: God has made you holy, so go and be holy. Or as Peter might phrase it: God has chosen you, so go and “make your calling and election sure.”
Continue reading “Adding to Faith”
The Rabbi's Burrito 