Yes – it is finally finished – my first on-line forum to host Bible studies. If you are interested, we start our first discussion on “The Passion of Christ” (based on Mel Gibson’s movie) on September 18th. Just click on the banner in the side bar titled “Living In Christ Forum” and it will take you to the forum hosted by Invisionfree.com You do have to register on the site, but it would be fun to have you there and discuss why Christ died for all of us. So long…
Are You A Good Person?
Are you a good person? Be honest with yourself! The other day as I was driving home, this passage from Paul’s letter to the Romans popped into my mind: “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate …And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway”. (R omans 7:15, 18-19 NLT). Ouch – that hurts! Really, nothing good lives in me? – Well, I have to admit – NO, nothing good lives in me – especially driving home from work, after a long day. I have mean thoughts about the people I share the road with (and I call myself a Christian – ha); but I do have those thoughts. Paul said it is “our sinful nature” and how true those words are. I really want to be good (and do good), but I just can’t.
Do I have to depend on my own ‘goodness’ to spend Eternity in heaven? Not if I put my trust and faith in Christ and believe that He died for my past sins and the sins I will still commit in the future. WOW – that is cool (I really can’t stand the thought of spending Eternity in hell, but than again AZ in the summer is not too much different – just kidding).
God promises in John 3:16 (NLT): “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (now you know what those signs at sports events mean).
So – don’t try to be ‘good’, because you just can’t; but you can be nice to others.
Valley of Shadows
Have you ever been in a valley of shadows? It’s not a lot of fun. I have been there several times in my life. But there is a Comforter. Jesus says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28. And in in book of Hebrews we read 13:5b “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” That is a great comfort to me and I hope for you too. If you are in a valley right now, leave a comment or go to Bible Gateway.
What is Your Belief?
The other night my Sweetheart and I watched a great movie. I usually don’t like black & white/silent movies, but this was an exceptional movie. It was called “The passion of Joan of Arc“. Ah, you say – this topic was done over and over – so I thought. This version was from 1928 – and the best part was the music – awesome (Voices of Light). Very compelling to me. I turned this movie over and over in my head. As I was driving Monday morning to work – the movie popped back into my mind and I thought of the first century Christians who also died for their belief; even if it meant to die at the stake. I hope that I would be able to stand as firm as Joan and the first century Christians.
The same day I read a great devotion from Pastor Greg Laurie titled “A Pivotal Belief”. I guess that was my theme for the day. Pastor Laurie said it this way: “This is why the Resurrection of Jesus is such an important message and also why it has been opposed so much throughout history. The devil knows that the resurrection spells his defeat. He also knows that if you believe this great truth that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and rose again from the dead, it can change your life.” Mhm – I guess that was true for Joan, the first century Christians and I pray it is true for myself. So, what do you believe? Were Joan and the first century Christians crazy, or did they had something to hold on to?