Some people don’t want to accept their need for change. The story is told of a doctor who told a man that he must give up eating red meat, so he stopped putting tomato sauce on his hamburgers. For many religious people, their idea of salvation is no more transforming than what that man did. […]
If someone questions you about creation, abortion, morals, or another issue, would you base what you believe on the Bible? If so, why do you believe the Bible is true? Can you defend your belief? Turn with me to 2 Peter 1:16-21. Peter said that the Bible is a “more sure word of prophecy,” than […]
Read Colossians 2:8, addressed to Christians. Anything that may take us away from Christ is a danger to our Christian walk. “A fundamental test of any religious teaching is ‘Where does it put Jesus Christ – His person and His work?’ Does it rob Him of His fullness? Does it deny either His deity or […]
Why do scores of young people who attended church as children turn away from God when they leave home? Why are many Christians not sure what they think about origins, absolutes, morality, abortion, euthanasia, divorce, and gender issues? We all have some sort of worldview that governs our thinking, but what we really need is […]
When we were on holiday, I noticed in the paddock beside our cabin that the sheep had clearly worn paths where they had repeatedly walked. Though we do not think about it, we too have spiritual paths that we follow day after day. We should each have clear paths worn by our daily Bible reading […]
We have all experienced times of illness that have zapped our energy and wellbeing. The strength and energy that we once had, ran out and left us as limp as a wet rag. We may have similar experiences in our Christian life. We may have a revival, be reading our Bibles, growing spiritually and seeking […]
In Colossians 1:24-29, Paul said that he rejoiced in his sufferings for the Colossi believers. This verse does not imply that Paul was suffering because Christ did not suffer enough for our sin. Christ alone paid for our entire sin debt. However, suffering did not end with Christ. Preaching the gospel to the Gentiles brought […]
Years ago, Colonel Byrd, an American from the state of Virginia, was condemned to death by the Cherokee Indians. In that tribe, there was a chief who had been his friend. That chief said, “This man is my friend; before you can get at him, you must kill me.” The Cherokees let him go free. […]
When a child awakens from a fearful dream and his mother comes to his side, she calms his heart and gives him assurance that he has nothing to fear. God has promised us “redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (v.14), but sometimes the devil frightens us with doubts like a fearful dream. […]
So far, in our study of Colossians, verses 1-2 introduced us to the authors, Paul and Timothy. In verses 3-8, we learned four things for which we ought to thank God for other Christians: for their faith, love and hope; that they heard the Gospel; that it is producing fruit in their lives; and that […]