Category Archives: church

The Romans Challenge: Brothers and Sisters, Co-workers, and Friends — The Church

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“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me. Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Romans 16:1-16 has a list of greetings that Paul sends to the ones his letter will reach. Over and over again, Paul talks about the various people in his life, who were a part of the Church of his time. Phoebe was dear to him, a sister, deaconess — servant leader. Priscilla and Aquila were “co-workers in Christ.” They opened their home for the church to meet. Some of the people listed Paul speaks of as working hard for the people in the Church and for the Lord. The early Church had a family relationship and a mission. They desired to know God and make Him known!

When we receive Jesus, we become a part of God’s family His church. His church is no different today than it was back in Paul’s time. It is where we experience relationships with each other. We are brothers and sisters, coworkers in our effort to make God known, and we are friends. It is a wonderful thing to live in relationship with one another.

Each of us has a role to play as we focus on our mission. Together we encourage each other to know God better and to make Him known!

Paul took the time to greet the ones who were dear to him in the early church. He appreciated the gift each of them was to his life. He was thankful for them.

Let’s take the time to appreciate those God has placed around us to “do life with.” God has given us the gift of family with the believers He has given us relationship with. Together, we share our laughter, our heartache, our needs and our abundance. What a gift He has given us to be a part of His family— His Church!

The Romans Challenge: Each One Will Give An Account

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“You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: “ ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’ ” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

When my youngest grandson was potty training, he liked to pass the blame off on someone else when he had a stinky diaper. Here’s how it worked, “Levi, do you have a poopy?” “No, It’s Ben (older brother)!” Or “No, It’s Ollie (golden/doodle dog).” Instead of admitting his own mess, he wanted to point the finger at someone else.

We can do that spiritually. Judging someone else’s possible stinky attitude and or actions is easy. All the while we sit in a mess within our own hearts. We are not to judge our brother or sister in Jesus! Or treat them with contempt…

“Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” We cannot blame others for our spiritual problems. “I can’t go to church because the church is full of hypocrites” won’t fly as an excuse. Our relationship with God, how we live, our thoughts, feelings, and actions are between us and Him.

When God points to an area of our lives that is stinky, we cannot point our finger and say, “It’s Ben…” We cannot justify our sins by judging someone else. Each of us will individually stand before God on our own.

God is personal. He wants us to relate to Him as such. He desires for us to drop the judgmental fingers we point and simply come to Him!

The Romans Challenge: Don’t Quarrel Over Disputable Things

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“Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

There are some areas that you and I will disagree. This does not mean that I have to prove myself right, or that you need to prove yourself either. It is easy to get hung up on “disputable matters.” In our culture these matters can range from the Covid Vaccine, to “does God have a preference in our Bible Version KJV or NIV…?” And it is so easy to desire to prove our opinions to be right. When we see someone who doesn’t agree with our stand, it is easy to judge them and look at them as less wise, less informed, less spiritual, etc. We can let these matters divide us!

In Paul’s time this kind of division was present. Some people said, “eat only vegetables.” Some said “I can eat meat too.” Others had special religious days that had to be observed. Arguments abounded. Judgements were made. He told the Christians, don’t quarrel, don’t judge. Ultimately, we aren’t the ones who make the call.

“Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We answer individually to God in the things that seem to be “disputable matters.” We need to stack them up against the Word of God. If it isn’t clearly defined as right or wrong, pray and listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

In the meantime, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, your brothers and sisters in Christ.

The Romans Challenge: Live In Harmony

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“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

You and I were meant for connection to God and each other. We aren’t meant to do our lives alone. This is why believers in Jesus are united in a family — the Church. When we live in harmony — a connected whole (Websters 1828) — we will experience growth, encouragement, love, and relationship with each other. This is God’s plan for us.

Pride kills harmony. When our focus is on ourselves — what we want when and how we want it, we CANNOT live as God intends for us to live, connected and united with our brothers and sister in Christ.

We are called to live a God centered life. Our focus is to be on Him. We are to display Him in our actions. Our lives are to be totally submitted to God, totally dependent upon God, and totally obedient to God. When we live this way, God unites us to Himself and to others within His body, the Church.

BUT, if our lives are built upon ourselves — doing what we want and calling our own shots… we will exhibit pride, conceit, and division. We will be separated from the connection to the Body of Christ that we are meant to experience. Destruction will be the result of our choice to follow “self.”

Father, help us to live in harmony with each other. Help us to leave behind our selfish ways and to live our lives with You in the center. As we follow You and obey You, fill us with love for our brothers and sisters in Christ so that we can live as You intended us to live in harmony — ONE!

The Romans Challenge: One Body In Christ

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“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are one. We are connected, attached, and united to each other. Paul uses the metaphor of a human body. “We have many members, and the members do not all have the same function.” We have unity, but we are also diverse. My part of the body differs from yours. We each have our function. BUT, even though we are different, we NEED each other!

Each of us are gifted in different ways to bring glory to God and to serve Him and serve one another. One persons gifting and abilities is solely for that purpose. No one is better than the other. We shouldn’t “think of {ourselves} more highly than {we} ought to think.”

God has gifted us with His gifting for a purpose. What He has given to us we need to use! If we don’t the other parts of the Body of Christ— the Church will suffer. What God has given to us, our part we play, is important for making the Body of Christ strong and building it up. He wants us to participate in His good plan to have His people united, strong, and on mission to share with others His love. He has given us all that we need and equipped us. The question is, “will I respond ‘yes’ to Him and live connected to Him and His Church?”

The Romans Challenge: The Remnant

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“So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” Romans 11:5-6 ESV

Have you ever felt alone in your faith? There are times that we all feel that way. Paul writes regarding his people, the Jews of his time, that it may seem that God had rejected them when He called out to the non Jewish — Gentiles — to receive His salvation. But God had not rejected His people at all. He has always had a chosen people, a remnant. This remnant was a small, faithful group, that remained true to God.

Throughout history, God has always preserved His people. There have been very dark hours of persecution of His church and His chosen people Israel. But He has always had someone who was faithful to Him.

In our world today, there are so many things going on. It can be frightening to watch. At times, it seems God’s Church is so small against the onslaught. But we too can take comfort that “there is a remnant…” We have those around us that have responded to God’s grace and received salvation through faith in Jesus. We are able to stand together for our LORD.

I would be negligent to not say that God is also at work in Israel of today. He has a remnant there as well. Though we do not see all the details of what God is working, we can be assured He is not finished yet! He is faithful to us (the non Jewish believers of our time). He is faithful to His chosen people. What He has promised He will fulfill!

For now, we can be assured that there is “a remnant, chosen by grace.” We are not alone. We are a part of God’s family. His church!

James: No Favoritism

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“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.”
‭‭James‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

(Today is James 2)

I have four kids, who are all adults now. Throughout the years my husband and I have tried very hard to treat them equally. (However, I am sure that there have been times we did not do this perfectly)

Each Christmas, they had close to the same amount of presents with the same amount spent on each of them. Whatever their needs have been we have tried to pay close to the same amount and spent equal amounts of time. My goal has been that they would each feel that they were my favorite. They frequently joke about who is my favorite. The truth is… THEY ALL ARE!

If they begin to think any differently, it cause all kinds of issues. Favoritism divides.

In the family of God (i.e. the Church) we are all God’s favorite as well. The word favorite is defined as “A person or thing regarded with peculiar favor, preference and affection; one greatly beloved.” (Webster’s 1828 Dictionary) God is equitable. If I am someone he regards with favor, preference, affection and love, then so are you! He does not look at our social status, our ethnicity, our wealth or the lack thereof… “For God so loved the World…” He loves us all and He loves each of us completely and perfectly. He is Love. His love cannot be divided into different sizes or portions. We are to love like our Heavenly Father does!

Favoritism or giving a preference to one over another. It is giving special attention to someone. James states that having favoritism is a sin. (Verse 8)

The remedy for favoritism is found in what Jesus called the second greatest commandment:

““Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

James says if you do that “you are doing right.”

Everyone is equal at the foot of the cross. We are all sinners in need of forgiveness and hearts that need to be transformed. Those who are born again are born again into a family where we are one in Jesus!

If we elevate or devalue someone according to what they possess materially, (or for any other reason) we are missing the mark, in sin. We are dividing what God has created to be united in Him — ONE!

Philippians — God’s Family

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Day 2 of Philippians 1 !!

Today verse 3- 7 are standing out to me.

“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart…”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As I read them, the question— “Who’s your tribe?”, keeps coming to my mind.

Tribe is defined as “family.” Paul had his “spiritual family” or “tribe.” He prayed joyfully for them. They had a “partnership in the gospel.” They worked together to make Jesus known! Paul even spoke of his deep feelings of affection for them. He said he had them in his heart.

We are not meant to go it alone! God designed us for relationship, not only with Him, but with each other.

Who is it that you share your life in Jesus with? Who do you pray for? Who prays for you?

If you lack spiritual family (i.e. God’s family)in your life, where do you need to connect to experience it?

New Beginnings in The Book of Acts —Sent Out!

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“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them”…. sent on their way by the Holy Spirit…they proclaimed the word of God.” Acts‬ ‭13‬:‭2‬,4-5 NIV‬‬


Today is Acts 13.


The church in Antioch spent time worshipping and fasting. As they did the Holy Spirit directed them to send out Saul, who is also called Paul, and Barnabas on a missionary journey. As Paul and Barnabas went out, they “proclaimed the word of God.” Everywhere they went people’s lives were changed. The people were “astonished at the teaching of the Lord.” The people “begged that these things might be told them.” One account in verse 44 says “almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.” The Gentiles “began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord…” verse 48. In fact, “the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.”

We have the same Holy Spirit living inside of us. We have the same Word of God to proclaim! People are hungry to hear. We too can worship and fast to hear the direction of the Holy Spirit so that we can go out and proclaim God’s Word.

Our world is no different than the world during the time of the early church. People need to hear about Jesus and all that He has done! We have the Word that brings life. May we boldly proclaim that Word in the power of the Holy Spirit!

Pentecost in Acts: Acts 2:41-47 Changed Lives, Devoted lives

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On the day of Pentecost, lives were changed. Not only were the disciples who had waited in the upper room totally transformed by the Holy Spirit filling them, over 3000 people believed. These believers proceeded to live with evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence in their life. The lived lives devoted: They devoted themselves to learning about Jesus and His kingdom through the apostles’ teachings. They spent time together hanging out or time in fellowship eating together. They devoted themselves to prayer. They worshiped in temple courts daily. They ate together with glad and sincere hearts.

The results were wonders and signs that filled everyone with awe and they had favor with all the people.

As Jesus had told them when He walked with them on earth, 

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”” John 13:35 ESV

The people around them saw the change and were amazed. They knew that the followers of Jesus had something different, something better than what they had. Our world needs this today!

May we seek to be full of the Holy Spirit and out of this fullness be a demonstration of Jesus Himself, His image bearers. May we be plugged in to fellowship (relationship) with other spirit-filled believers so that our love for one another will be a demonstration of Heaven to those who live on Earth! May signs and wonders be in our midst! Come Holy Spirit!